Underwood & Underwood Antique Stereoscope Viewer & Photo Cards

What a Classic Piece of Optical & Photographic History

The Underwood & Underwood Antique Stereoscope Viewer and photo cards is a classic piece of optical and photographic history, dating back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Underwood & Underwood was one of the largest producers of stereoscopic images, which were popular in homes and parlors as a form of 3D entertainment and education.

Stereoscope Viewer:

• Design: The viewer is a hand-held device, made of wood, metal, and occasionally leather, with two lenses positioned at a fixed distance apart. It has a sliding holder for stereoscopic cards (two nearly identical photographs mounted side by side). **
• How It Works: When viewed through the lenses, the slightly different perspectives of the two images merge into a single, three-dimensional view, creating a sense of depth. The stereoscope mimics the way the human eyes perceive depth by capturing images from two slightly different angles.

Photo Cards (Stereographs or Stereoscopic Cards):

• Description: These cards, also known as stereographs, feature two identical photos (usually albumen prints or later photomechanical prints) pasted side by side. 
• Subjects: The images covered a wide range of subjects—landscapes, architecture, historical events, cultural scenes, travel destinations, and even humorous or domestic scenes. Some were educational, teaching geography, history, or scientific concepts.

Underwood & Underwood:

• History: Founded in 1881 by brothers Elmer and Bert Underwood, the company initially sold stereoscopic views door-to-door. By the early 20th century, they had a vast library of stereoscopic images, including many licensed from photographers around the world. 
• Innovations: Underwood & Underwood was innovative in marketing. They developed educational sets of stereographs, which were sold with detailed booklets explaining the content of the images. Some sets included folding "stereoscopic atlases" with photos illustrating the geography and culture of entire countries.

Collectability:

• Value: These antique stereoscopes and the accompanying photo cards are highly collectible, particularly complete sets or well-preserved viewers. 
• Historical Significance: The stereoscopic cards created a revolution in visual entertainment and education. They were one of the first widespread uses of 3D imagery and helped shape the development of photography and visual culture.

Collectors often seek out Underwood & Underwood pieces for their craftsmanship, historical significance, and the nostalgic charm of viewing early 3D images.