Mascher viewing case
Region: United States Period: 1850–1890 Tag: Mascher Stereoscope type: Hand-held » Single-view » Folding » Viewing case
© Stereoscopy History
The Mascher viewing case is a foldable viewer made of wood and covered with leather. The device consists of a base plate on which the lens panel and the holder with the daguerreotype are placed. Neither component can be locked in position, which makes viewing somewhat cumbersome. It is easier to place the daguerreotype in the palm of the hand and hold the lens panel between the thumb and forefinger.
John Frederick Mascher aimed his viewing case at the mass market, and it was produced in a variety of sizes and styles. He held a near-monopoly on the manufacture of these cases and sold tens of thousands within a short period. As daguerreotypes declined in the early 1860s, the cases were adapted for ambrotypes and tintypes.
In addition to the standard model, two alternative models were presented later. In the second model, the lens panel was attached to the stereoview holder by four struts, one at each corner. The lenses were removable. A third model was designed as a folding wooden box.
Related items:Ambrotype Daguerreotype Mascher, John Frederick Tintype
Specifications:
Patents and registrations:
Number: 9611
Stereoscopic Daguerreotype Case
Filing: 08-03-1853, Applicant(s): John Frederick Mascher. via: worldwide.espacenet.com
Further reading:
- William Brey. "John F. Mascher’s Stereoscopic Cases" in: Stereo World (March 1978) , pp. 14-19
- Wing, Paul. Stereoscopes: The first one hundred years (1996) , pp. 80-83