Old Viewer, Who Dis?
Hang around stereoscope collectors and you’re sure to hear the names of popular viewer brands and makers: Jules Richard, Zeiss-Ikon, Unis-France, Gaumont, View-Master, and Stereo Realist, for example. Depending on what country you’re in or how long that collector talks your ear off, you may also hear about Tru-Vue, Bruguiere, Lestrade, Hugo DeWijs, Rada, and RoMo. Then, there are many small-name stereoscope brands from manufacturers only in business for a short time, only producing a one-hit wonder, or only producing viewers in limited quantities.
But besides the big-name viewers and the small-name viewers, there are lots of no-name viewers! These unbranded viewers have zero markings and leave only design clues to decipher where, when, and by whom they were made. The stereoscope’s material and power source can help us figure out the “when” and the stereoscope's design style can provide clues to both the “when” and the “where.” Putting all those together with any additional clues provided by accompanying stereoviews, packaging, where the viewer was found, and what else was found with the viewer, we can ultimately make an educated guess about who made the viewer.
Below, we share a few of the no-name viewers in our collection in the hopes that someone knows something more about them. If that someone is YOU, we’d love to hear from you — please reach out to us using our contact form.
Wood Stereoscope with Leather Handle
We haven’t seen this particular viewer anywhere else but we’ve seen a similar one that, sadly, was also unbranded. Based on the date of that similar viewer, we believe this one was made in the late 1800s. It came to us from Germany with one glass stereoview. Have you seen this viewer before?
Wooden Roll Film Stereoscope
We LOVE a great roll film 3D viewer and were super excited to acquire this one from a German estate. The film inside was of Lourdes. There aren’t many film viewers made of wood and that’s why we’d love to get more info on this one.
Folding Brewster
This simple folding viewer is similar to those made in the 1860s. It came with a case but we couldn’t find any maker’s mark or personal monogram on the case either. Argh! Who dis?!
Stereoscope in a Box
While there were many unbranded, boxed stereoscopes made, this one was branded at one time. We can see a spot on the front where a label used to be. Maddening! Who dis?
Short-body Brewster
Ah, the many unbranded Brewster-style stereoscopes. We have a few of them. But we’re so enamored with the fabulous oculars on this one (what is that occular material?!) that we’re scratching our heads and asking, you guessed it: who dis?
Leather & Steel 2x2
This 2x2 stereo viewer came into our collection from an estate in Germany. No packaging, no stereoviews. Thanks to a 3D friend, it’s not entirely a “who dis” mystery. He told us this stereoscope was made in the 1980s by Royer in France. If anyone has more info or differing info, please let us know.