W. H. Lewis Cylindrical Drum Stereoscope

United States, 1870s

Avid collectors may recognize this rare stereoscope from the cover of Paul Wing’s book, “Stereoscopes — The First One Hundred Years,” and discussed on page 128. We’re excited to have it in our collection. Stamped in the wood, you’ll find the same two blind patents as the Lewis-Page box stereoscope in our collection:

• July 5, 1870 — using lazy tongs to extend the lens support for focusing (E. K. Page’s patent #104,990)

• March 26, 1878 — folding the stereoscope away into the card storage box (W. H. Lewis’ patent #201,804)

The roll top cover is made of very thin plywood, and there’s space inside to hold stereoviews. At 150 years old, we think it’s just beautiful.