Monographie du stereoscope

Paris: Amyot, 1861. FIRST EDITION. Wood engraved illustrations throughout. Original printed yellow wrappers bound into modern boards. Includes prospectus and subscription slip for La Blanchere’s forthcoming Répertoire Encyclopédique de Photographie. Unopened. First edition, a comprehensive treatise on the newly developed stereoscope, a technology whereby the viewer uses a two-lens device to see left and right images at the same time, creating a three-dimensional scene. This nine-part study covers the history of binocular viewing from Euclid to Brewster before discussing contemporary improvements and progress, theory, construction and materials, preparation of photographic slides, and applications. The final chapter suggests recently developed add-on lenses for further uses, such as microscopy.

Although stereoscopes became obsolete in the early 20th century owing to improved photographic processes, they were in household use for both research and recreation for the last few decades of the 19th century. This monograph is an important snapshot of the pivotal technology that bridged the gap between the first photographs and motion pictures.