Stereoscope thumbnail 1
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
British Galleries, Room 122b

Stereoscope

1901 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Object Type
This stereoscope is typical of those used in Victorian homes for education and amusement. Stereographs were placed in the holder and then adjusted until the viewer saw the three dimensional effect. The strereograph is made from two photographs of the same subject taken from slightly different angles. An illusion of perspective and depth is achieved when the two images combine as seen through the stereoscope.

Materials & Making
Various types of stereoscopes were devised in the 19th century. This particular hand-held variety, based on a design by the inventor Oliver Wendell Holmes, was perhaps the most readily available and the simplest.

Delve deeper

Discover more about this object
watch A brief history of ghosts and spirit photography Can objects in our collection shine a light on the existence of ghosts, or at least what the Victorians believed about them?

Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Oak, tin, glass and velvet
Brief description
Victorian stereoscope, made by Underwood and Underwood, 1901, New York
Marks and inscriptions
Stamped: SUN SCULPTURE / U&U/ TRADEMARK / MAN'F'D BY / UNDERWOOD & UNDERWOOD / NEW YORK / PATENTED JUNE 11, 1901 / FOREIGN PATENTS / APPLIED FOR
Gallery label
British Galleries: STEREOSCOPE AND STEREOGRAPHS Various dates, 1854-1901
This stereoscope is typical of those used in Victorian homes for education and amusement. Stereographs (paired photographs taken from slightly different angles) were placed in the holder and then adjusted until the viewer saw the scene in three dimensions.(27/03/2003)
Object history
Stereoscope made by Underwood & Underwood, New York, U.S.A.
Summary
Object Type
This stereoscope is typical of those used in Victorian homes for education and amusement. Stereographs were placed in the holder and then adjusted until the viewer saw the three dimensional effect. The strereograph is made from two photographs of the same subject taken from slightly different angles. An illusion of perspective and depth is achieved when the two images combine as seen through the stereoscope.

Materials & Making
Various types of stereoscopes were devised in the 19th century. This particular hand-held variety, based on a design by the inventor Oliver Wendell Holmes, was perhaps the most readily available and the simplest.
Collection
Accession number
E.27-2000

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdMay 30, 2000
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest