Édition or Éditions Paris-Stéréo was a trademark of Albert Baron. Baron was first mentioned as a photographer and publisher in 19101. In 1922, his company was located at 55, Boulevard Lefebvre in Paris2. The trademark Paris-Stéréo was probably introduced by Baron in the early 1920s. Baron advertised with and without the Paris-Stéréo name over the years, leaving the exact introduction of the brandname unclear.
Baron’s stereoviews were sold in series of 12. The series shows sights from France, Algeria, Italy and Belgium. This specific and limited list of countries, and the fact that Baron was listed as a photographer, suggest that the images were photographed by Baron himself.
A small range of glass stereoviews exist, but Baron was mainly known for its paper card stereoviews in the 8.5 x 17 cm format. Series with scenes from the First World War were published during and after the war.
War Stereoviews
Paper card stereoviews
A catalogue with the title Vues de la Guerre lists ten series of 12 stereoviews in the 8.5 x 17 cm format with war scenes. The catalogue does not mention the name of Baron or Paris-Stéréo. The stereoviews have a number in the 25xx to 28xx range. Most series are not dedicated to a specific theme or battle. The catalogue and series were published during the war and subject to censorship.
In a later catalogue the number of series is extended to 20. The series from the first catalogue are listed, with some stereoviews replaced with other numbers, and ten new series were added. The numbers run to 29xx. This time the catalogues mentions the name Paris-Stéréo, and this reference links the first un-named catalogue to Baron and Paris-Stéréo. This later catalogue mentions that the views are authorised, so this catalogue and series were also published when censorship was active.
The number sequence of the stereoviews in the catalogues is not consecutive and shows gaps. Remarkably, non of the series contain images of the Battle of Verdun. Taking into account that some images were swapped with new ones, the total number of 8.5 x 17 cm images is estimated 300.
Glass stereoviews
Baron also sold glass stereoviews in the 6 x 13 cm and 45 x 107 mm format, but the glass slides are far more rare compared to the 8.5 x 17 cm stereo cards. The images of the 6 x 13 cm glass stereoviews were also printed and published as 6 x 13 cm paper card stereoviews. The 45 x 107 mm slides were cropped versions of a 6 x 13 cm image.
The glass slides also have numbers in the 25xx range and higher. The previous mentioned gaps in the 8.5 x 17 cm series are actually 6 x 13 cm slides. So each war stereoview, in each format, was given a unique number by Baron. There might have been a separate catalogue for the 6 x 13 cm series. The total amount of 6 x 13 cm stereoviews is unknown.
Vues de France
Baron introduced new series with the title Vues de France after the war. These series contain images of France and include some series that are related to the war. The 8.5 x 17 cm paper card stereoviews have a different presentation and numbering scheme compared to Baron’s earlier views. All cards show the name Paris-Stéréo and Vues de France.
Classification Chart
Glass
| Overall size: | 45 x 107 mm or 6 x 13 cm |
| Image tone: | Brown/sepia toned. |
| Text presentation: | Number and title vertically written between both images. |
| Text style: | Typed |
Paper type I
| Overall size: | c. 8.5 x 17 cm |
| Image size: | c. 7 x 7 cm |
| Image tone: | Black and white |
| Paper surface: | Glossy |
| Text presentation: | Number and title are written below the right image |
| Text style: | Typed |
Paper type Ia
The same as Type I, but the printed image is pasted on curved cardboard with rounded corners. The Type Ia stereoviews were sold as deluxe series in blue cardboard boxes.
| Overall size: | c. 8.5 x 17 cm |
| Image size: | c. 7 x 7 cm |
| Image tone: | Black and white |
| Paper surface: | Glossy |
| Text presentation: | Number and title are written below the right image |
| Text style: | Typed |
Paper type II
Type II cards have basically the same presentation style as the glass stereoviews.
| Overall size: | 6 x 13 cm |
| Image size: | c. 5 x 6 cm |
| Image tone: | Black and white |
| Paper surface: | Glossy |
| Text presentation: | Number and title are vertically written between both images |
| Text style: | Typed |
| Notes: | Some type II cards are pasted on 8.5 x 17 cm cardboard with rounded corners. It is unclear whether they were sold this way, or whether buyers did this. |
Paper type III
A different presentation style with the series name Vues de France. This series name was also used for non-war stereoviews. Each series has a theme. The views show the name Paris-Stéréo. The images have a distinctive shape of flat-arched windows.
| Overall size: | 8.5 x 17 cm |
| Image size: | c. 7.2 x 7.2 cm |
| Image tone: | Black and white |
| Paper surface: | Glossy |
| Text presentation: | Number and title are horizontally written on the right image. The number is composed of three parts, separated by a “.” or “-“. It contains the prefix “S”, a serial number and a stereoview number. |
| Text style: | Handwritten white letters on the image. Occasionally written on a black bar. |
| Notes: | Paper type III views were sold in series of 12 (or maybe 10). Views from the series 6, 7, 8 and 9 have been seen. |