Loyd’s American Stereoscope

Also known as: Stereoscopic History

Region: United States    Period: 1850–1890    Tags: Loyd / D. Appleton & Co.

Loyd's American Stereoscope was, together with Mascher's viewing case, among the first stereoscopes manufactured and sold in the United States. William Loyd's viewer consists of a wood box covered in leather. The interior is lined with fabric and contains 12 grooves. The viewer could therefore also be used as a storage system for stereoviews. To view a stereoview, a single groove was used for placement. By using a groove positioned closer to or further from the lenses, a basic method of focusing was also provided.

Loyd's American Stereoscope includes two hinged lids: one on the top side, and one at the rear, which can be opened to expose the ground glass.

There was a collaboration between William Loyd and the Langenheim brothers. The signature of Frederick Langenheim appears on the 1856 patent for Loyd's American Stereoscope. An advertisement in The New York Herald of 7 April 1856 stated:

W. Loyd’s Improved Stereoscope, with F. Langenheim’s new series of American views— Niagara Falls, Genesee Valley, The Pottsville Coal Region, and other new views. A large assortment just received, by Benj. Pike & Sons, 518 Broadway

A special version of Loyd's American Stereoscope was presented as a decorative book and was named Stereoscopic History.

Loyd's stereoscope was probably manufactured by multiple makers, with modifications applied to the original design. A simpler variant exists without the hinged rear lid and with only a single slot inside. The lenses are flanked by fold-out leather blinders which, when folded inward, protect the lenses. This variant was distributed by D. Appleton & Company.

The London Stereoscopic Company in New York City distributed a variant with a sliding-box focusing mechanism.

Related items:
Appleton & Company, D.  Ground glass  Hinged lid  Langenheim brothers  Mascher viewing case  Sliding-box focus

Specifications:

Patents and registrations:

Number: 14670
Stereoscopic instrument
Filing: 15-04-1856, Applicant(s): William Loyd. via: worldwide.espacenet.com

Further reading: