The Guerre 1914 stereoscope is a Stéréoscope à Chaîne model that was manufactured by Jules Richard. The viewer fits into the Vérascope product line of Richard and only supports 45 x 107 mm glass stereoviews. Compact models for 50 slides and large floor-stand models for 100 and 200 slides were available. The text “Guerre 1914” (War 1914) is probably not original. The stereoscope is extended with a modern lamp at the rear. This stereoscope might have been used in a school or museum for educational purposes.
Specifications
| Manufacturer: | Jules Richard |
| Year of introduction: | 1895 (patent filed) |
| Year of manufacture: | c. 1920 |
| Type: | Tabletop |
| Viewer: | Multi-view |
| Mechanism: | Chain-based |
| Bidirectional navigation: | Yes |
| Serial number: | None |
| Stereoview support: | Glass stereoviews |
| Stereoview format: | 45 x 107 mm |
| Number of slides: | 50 |
| Lens focussing: | Yes |
| Inter-ocular adjustment: | No |
| Eyepiece blinders: | No |
| Dimensions (L x W x H): | 22 x 22 x 42 cm |
| Construction: | Walnut |
| Other features: | Plaque with Stéréoscope – Vues prises avec Le Vérascope Richard. |
Glossary: chain-based / inter-ocular adjustment / multi-view / tabletop
Jules Richard
Félix Richard (1809–1876) established in 1845 a company that was specialised in the manufacturing of barometers. Jules Richard (1948–1930) took over the management of his father’s company in 1876, and patented in 1880 the first reliable barometer that could permanently record air pressure. The barometer became very successful, and the company at 25, Rue Mélingue in Paris started to grow. Richard introduced the compact 45 x 107 mm glass stereoview format and Vérascope stereo camera in 1893. It became a great success and the Vérascope became the best-selling stereo camera of its time. A product line was created around the new format, with a wide range of cameras, stereoscopes and accessories in different price ranges. The company became the leading brand of stereoscopy products and brought stereo photography within the range of amateurs. Their product names, such as Vérascope and Taxiphote, were commonly used as synonyms for stereo cameras and stereo viewers of all kinds.
The complete story of Jules Richard