Stereo format

Also known as: Format

Stereo format refers the dimensions of the window-frame of a stereoview. The earliest stereoviews measured approximately 8.5 x 17 cm. This became an unofficial standard, supplemented by the slightly larger 8 x 19 cm format. For paper stereoviews, this format remained dominant until around 1930.

In 1893, Jules Richard introduced the compact 45 x 107 mm glass format. Together with the 6 x 13 cm format, which emerged around the same time, these became the leading sizes for glass stereoviews until approximately 1930. These formats were particularly popular in France and were widely used in the commercial production and sale of stereoviews.

In addition to the formats mentioned above, many other sizes existed. A quotation from the 1922 catalogue of the French stereoscope manufacturer Mattey states:

Hand-held stereoscopes are manufactured for different formats, from 45 x 107 to 13 x 18. The most used formats, 45 x 107, 6 x 13 and 8.5 x 17, are, barring rare exceptions, always in stock; the other formats 7 x 13, 
7 x 15, 9 x 14, 8 x 16, 11 x 15, 12 x 16.5, 13 x 18, although in the catalogue, are not always in stock and are only manufactured on demand.