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
Category: Stereoscopes
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
Stéréo-classeur Hemdé – Série II
The Stéréo-classeur Série II is a stereoscope for 6x13cm glass stereoviews, manufactured by Hemdé from Lille. The Série II stereoscopes were intended for stereo formats larger than 45x107mm. In addition to 6x13cm, the devices were also available in the formats 8,5x17cm, 7x15cm, 9x14cm and 10x15cm[1]. The last three formats are remarkable because these stereoview formats… Continue reading Stéréo-classeur Hemdé – Série II
Smith, Beck & Beck book stereoscope
The Smith, Beck & Beck book stereoscope is based on Joseph Beck’s patent of 1859. It’s designed for viewing stereocards and stereoscopic images that are mounted in a book. The stereoscope was very successful and around 3000 devices were produced until c.1890. It’s probably the most complete book stereoscope ever produced. The two prismatic achromatic… Continue reading Smith, Beck & Beck book stereoscope
Smith, Beck & Beck table-top stereoscope
A table-top stereoscope. manufactured by Smith, Beck & Beck from London. It’s designed for viewing stereocards and glass stereoviews. At first glance, this stereoscope looks like a multi viewer, but in fact it has more in common with a handheld stereoscope mounted on a base plate. The base plate folds into its storage box which… Continue reading Smith, Beck & Beck table-top stereoscope