Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Vintage Thingie Thursday

This is one of my favorite collectibles that I am sharing with you today. It is a stereoscope and stereo cards from the turn of the century.
A tidbit of history for you: At one time the stereoscope and view cards were found in every American home. From 1850 until World War I, the stereoscope allowed our forefathers to visit every corner of America and the world. It provides us with a three dimensional historical record of those 70 years.
The first stereoscope viewer was created in 1833 by Sir Charles Wheatstone a British inventor. In 1859, Oliver Wendell Holmes developed a compact, hand-held viewer and Joseph L. Bates of Boston made improvements and manufactured them. With advances in photography a new industry and form of entertainment was created. Del Phillips-National Stereoscopic Association Member
Stereo pictures are taken by means of a camera with two lenses. This provides two separate pictures 2.5 inches apart, about the distance between the eyes. Although the pictures appear the same, they are not. When looked at in a viewer, which has prismatic lenses, your eyes will blend the two views into one and the brain perceives it in three dimensions the same as normal vision. Del Phillips
This is my absolute favorite stereo card and quite a piece of Black Americana. The caption under the picture reads: "Dars ben tree two times, two tree times, and one Lawd kno how ma' times."
I count 18 children in the picture! What a family!!

Hope you have enjoyed my vintage selection today. If you would like to see more vintage offerings, just click on the VTT button on the sidebar to go to Suzanne's blog to see who is participating today.

22 comments:

Charlene said...

I love these--the precursor of the Viewmaster!

Barbara Jean said...

That is so cool!!

Happy Thursday!!

Blessings,
Barbara Jean

Anonymous said...

wow thats fantastic. what a beautiful thing to own. It must be amazing to use this and view the pictures through it
hugs June x

Jamie said...

Sarah, I love your stereoscope! What a lovely and informative post about your treasures.

I have four stereo cards that came in with a group of photos. They are not in terrific contion, but if you would like them I could send them to you.

Of the four only three have makers names. There is one from American Views of a lake scene, one from J. F. Jarvis Publisher and it's a veiw of Mt. Lincoln, Colorado and one from the Keystone View Company of a baby called, "Josephine's Kittens". Very cute:) If you would like them then send me your snail mail at:

askarteology@yahoo.com

Thank you for sharing your wonderful collection! Love, Jamie

★Carol★ said...

I always wanted a stereoscope, and yours looks like it's in excellent condition! I like the Black Americana card that you showed too. What a great piece of history! Thank you so much for sharing this!
Happy VTT!

fitty's pinky rose cottage said...

super cool item..

happy VTT

Pink Roses and Teacups said...

Wow, what a great piece of history!
Thanks for sharing with us!

Debbie

Louise (KardKrazy) said...

I agree -- a very informative post. Love what you shared on your final photo -- can't even imagine that many children in a small house. Great vintage "thingie."

A said...

I love stereoscopes. Thanks for the fabulous post!

Keetha Broyles said...

Those things are soooo cool. I wish I had one. I remember using one when I was a little girl - - - now I'm OLD, but not quite THAT old, it was already an antique at the time.

Also, I've also found them under google under the alternate name of stereo opticons

Olde Dame Penniwig said...

What a fantastic vintage item! Gosh, back when people couldn't easily visit farther than a few miles from their homes...

Old Time Cindy said...

Excellent condition. Thanks for the info on it.

Anonymous said...

i saw one just like it at an antique & collectibles fair recently..i love the history how fascinating!

Coloradolady said...

What a great vintage thingie. Loved the photo too, can you imagine feeding a family that size? Great and interesting post today.

Have a great VTT!

cristina said...

I have never seen one of these before. And why don't we have them anymore?? They rock! Thanks for the history

Becky said...

Wonderful! Thanks for sharing. Hubby keeps "threatening" to buy one when we find 'em at stores. Wish he would.

Bea said...

I love stereoscopes. Thanks for sharing.

CC said...

Ooo, I loved what you posted about today. I would love to see that last photo through the viewer..:). Great grief..18 children..!!!
Happy VTT ..have a great weekend

Robin said...

Simply amazing how technology has changed things:)

House of Hullabaloo said...

Have you ever seen anyone create any art pieces from the cards? I have seen them for sale. What a nice thing to share!

Keep It Sweet and Simple said...

Wow! What real treasure. I have never seen anything like it.
Caroline xxx

Lyneen said...

Love seeing the gifts you have to share... what treasures your home holds and the stories or each item. TFS