Whiting “View Outfit” Self-Storing Box Stereoscope

United States, 1890s

Brothers Richard and William Whiting started their stereoscopic career as Keystone salesmen, later starting their own stereoview publishing company called the Whiting View Company. Richard became particularly interested in developing viewers and took out several viewer patents. This viewer, which folds to store completely inside itself, most closely resembles his 1897 patent #580024. When unfolded, it sits at an angle convenient to the viewer. The tacks on sides would have had rubber bands to keep the viewer open. To adjust focus, the metal cardholder can be positioned in any of the grooves on the bottom of the box. Other Whiting stereoscopes in our collection include the Scultoscope and Magic Photo Album.

Primary Material: Wood
Media Format: Card
Light Source: Natural light
Focus: Adjustable
Interocular: Fixed