Antoine François Jean Claudet was born in 1797 in Lyon, France. He worked in a glass factory in Paris and moved to England to promote the factory’s business activities in London. After the invention of the daguerreotype process in 1839, Claudet was eager to learn the new photography process. He moved to Paris, took lessons… Continue reading Antoine Claudet, stereoscopy pioneer
Category: Stereoscopes
Le Phénix
Le Phénix is by far the rarest of all Bize’s viewers and a very rare stereoscope in general. The stereoscope was presented as a novelty in 1908, together with Le Minimus and Le Multiphote. It was announced as Le Phœnix and presented as a revolving stereoscope with an interchangeable belt for 48 slides in the… Continue reading Le Phénix
Le Stéréothèque a court foyer
Le Stéréothèque was Mattey’s first tray-based multiple-view stereoscope. After its introduction in 1903 , it remained Mattey’s most advanced stereoscope for over 20 years, after which it was replaced by Le Métascope. The crank driven mechanism is bi-directional. The two metal fingers that lift the slide from the tray are attached to a metal disc.… Continue reading Le Stéréothèque a court foyer
Kilburn’s folding stereoscope
William Edward Kilburn (1818-1891) was an English daguerreotypist. He was renowned for his skilful hand tinted daguerreotypes which he made in his studio on Regent Street in London. He was was one of the most commercially successful daguerreotypists in London and the first English photographer to receive the title of court photographer of the British… Continue reading Kilburn’s folding stereoscope
The Sweetheart Viewer
A large deluxe revolving stereoscope for 8.5 x 17 cm paper card stereoviews with a burr walnut housing. The viewer has holders with lenses on both sides, allowing two people viewing stereoviews simultaneously. This type is therefore called “Sweetheart Viewer”, because someone could enjoy stereoviews together with his sweetheart. The revolving chain has fifty wooden… Continue reading The Sweetheart Viewer
Zeiss Jena stereoscope
A somewhat peculiar stereoscope built by Carl Zeiss from Jena. I haven’t fount anything about this model in the catalogs of the company. The viewer most resembles a simple version of the well-known Zeiss Verant. It has the same robust features, but the lenses cannot be focused and the distance between the lenses is not… Continue reading Zeiss Jena stereoscope
Hemdé autochrome and invoice
Of all stereoscope manufacturers, Hemdé is my favourite. The Série I viewer was the first multiple view stereoscope I bought in 2019. Almost at the same time I found a rare catalog and from that moment my research into the history of the company began. I’m therefore very pleased with this acquisition of an autochrome… Continue reading Hemdé autochrome and invoice
Zeiss Jena Doppelverant
The Doppelverant is a simple yet versatile stereoscope for viewing glass and paper card stereoviews. The viewer can be used as a table-top or hand-held stereoscope and was designed by Moritz von Rohr of Carl Zeiss Jena[1][2]. There was also a model available for viewing “normal” images and this device was named Einzelverant[1]. The introduction… Continue reading Zeiss Jena Doppelverant
L’Astra
L’Astra is the last known stereoscope based on a design by Lucien Bize. The viewer was introduced in 1913 by Robert Pleyau, the successor of Bize’s company[1]. The stereoscope was available for the 45x107mm and 6x13cm format and has two achromatic lenses with eyepiece blinders. It could be purchased with an optional wooden cabinet for… Continue reading L’Astra
Mackenstein hand-held stereoscope
A deluxe Mackenstein hand-held stereoscope with a burr walnut finish for 8,5x17cm stereoviews. The viewer is suitable for paper card stereoviews and glass slides. The lenses can be focussed and the distance between the lenses is adjustable. It emphasises the luxury of the viewer, because interocular adjustment is not a common feature for hand-held viewers.… Continue reading Mackenstein hand-held stereoscope