Rare Stereoscope in Excellent Working Condition. France, Circa 1900

This fine article from the early 20th century is a stereoscope, a device designed to view stereo glass plates. It is a standing model and is fully made of solid mahogany wood, quite beautiful and in excellent condition. The stereoscope works perfectly and preserves all its original component parts. It is quite a rare model as it has a removable inner cartridge designed to store the glass plates in order to view them successively. The stereoscope has two positions. One of them has two focusable lens and serves to watch stereo photographs traditional way of how these devices are used. Stereo viewfinder lens can be rotated to place the other lens that is a magnifying glass. All lenses are in good condition. This system is very rare. The device has a rectangular wooden body, stylized and tall. It mounts several mobile foldable pieces that open and close, being connected to the case by metal hinges and ties. The knobs are made of black-lacquered wood and the eyepieces are made of enameled metal. Though these pieces show some slight signs of the trace of time and use, in general the stereoscopes condition is great. The lenses and the glass pieces are original and well preserved too. The lenses are connected to a side knob that lets the user adjust the distance between them in order to perfectly focus the images. To operate the stereoscope, the user must remove the cartridge and put the glass plates in it. After inserting it into the wooden case, the top and front lid must be opened to let the light reflect on the mirror and inside the device. By operating the side knobs it is possible to change the glass plates and view them in a continuous way, without having to remove the one just seen and put in a new one. This system, quite ingenious and in perfect working order, turns this lovely stereoscope into a rare, attractive and singular piece. This amazing mahogany stereoscope is an exclusive and interesting piece, worthy of a great museum of photo-related antiques. Measurements: Width: 8.4 in / 21.5 cm. Height: 16.9 in / 43 cm.