Mascher’s Improved Stereoscope

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, 1850s

From the 1850s, it's about 100 years older than my normal mid-century collecting period but a Mascher daguerreotype viewing case is essential to the history of handheld stereoscopic devives. John Mascher, a young 20-something German operating out of Philadelphia, has the distinction of holding the first American patent for a stereoscopic device. This one is barely 3 1/2" ... really small. The woman has a serious but pleasant look that almost looks like a smile finished or is about to happen. And frankly, the 3D effect is almost undetectable as can happen with these if the photographer didn't mount the photos correctly in the case. I still love it, though!