Stereoview Spotlight: 1900s Cincinnati, Ohio

The Whiting brothers (Richard, William, and sometimes Herbert) are mostly known for their card-mount stereoviews published under the Whiting View Company name and later, after their formation of the American Novelty Company, their notched, color lithograph stereoviews designed for their Sculptoscope viewers.

Today’s spotlight features stereoviews from a lesser-known set often found with their Magic Photo Album Educator stereoscope — a steampunk-style, metal handheld stereoscope that’s hard to find in good condition today. This rare set of glossy photo stereoviews, measuring 8.5cm x 15cm, gives a glimpse into everyday life in and around Cincinnati during the early 1900s — the cars, clothing, city streets, and buildings. Each card is individually numbered and captioned, and some list Richard Ross Whiting (R. R. Whiting) as the publisher. He was the principal photographer for the American Novelty Company.

Here are 8 great shots — 4 leisure and 4 city — from our set of 24. The first one of the crowd in the Chester Park lake is one of our favorites — check out those swimsuits!

Leisure Activities in Early 1900s Cincinnati

A jolly crowd in lake at Chester Park

"The Beautiful Ohio"

Coney Island

Latonia Race Track near Cincinnati, Ohio

Bustling City Life in Early 1900s Cincinnati

Vine Street from Fourth Street

Fourth Street from Main Street, Looking West

Government Place

Corner McMillan Street and Victory Parkway