Beschreibung:

circa late 1850s early 1860s. Includes a boxed set of 5 grossly oversized 6.2 x 9.2" stereographs, four of which are glass positives of Parisian architectural scenes, each retaining the printed paper label J. Dubosq. 21, rue de l'Ode'on, Paris, and the fifth a salted paper or albumen stereograph of a piece of marble sculpture. Slides housed in original pasteboard box with slip top, covered with blue relief paper over canvas, retaining an elaborate printed paper label for Charles N. Bancker with the manuscript label Photogenic Largest G. Plates and Grassa Stereo Pseudoscope and additional small paper numbers. The viewer is housed in its own original pasteboard box and consists of three parts, each of which are held together via friction or with a brass nut. The scroll-form handle is manufactured of cast iron, with a painted surface of black laquer. On one end of the handle, a mahogany slide holder with frosted viewing glass is held in place with a large brass nut. On the other end, mahogany mounted oculars fit into a slot and are held in place with friction. The entire piece disassemble fort storage. The optical viewing device -- with brass focusing oculars -- is housed in its own small 5" x 2" x 2.75" pasteboard box with scrolled floral decorated paper covering and retaining a pasted printed label for Charles N. Bancker. When assembled, the viewer is 11" x 10" x 11". The viewer and its component parts are housed in a 10.25 x 11 x 4" pasteboard box, retaining on its lid a pasted label with the manuscript identification Dubosq's Second Largest Pseudostereoscope, and numerous printed numbers on the top and sides. The group also includes a dovetailed wooden lidded box with brass handles on sides, 12.5" x 11" x 10.5" high, with an illegible paper label; it is unclear if this was part of the set. M. Dubosq first made stereoscopes after a model supplied to him by Sir Wm. Brewster (British), who had invented the lenticular stereoscope in 1850. Recognizing the viewing limitations of stereo-daguerreotypes, Dubosq began making stereoscopes that could accommodate translucent paper and glass positive images. The Bancker family were prominent in business and social circles in mid-19th century Philadelphia and Charles N. Bancker was the most successful and well-known member of the family and had many varied businesses. An important, and historically important viewer, made at the dawn of stereophotography. Condition: One slide with chip at margin, not effecting image, wear to all boxes, but still VG, optics are in wonderful condition. Frosted glass in slide holder replaced, small piece of moulding missing that holds glass in place.