Guelph Stereoview display: until June 16!

Greetings, Guelph in postcards readers!

("Facade of St. Mark's, Venice Italy," ca. 1905. Courtesy of Guelph Civic Museums 1983.96.32.)

Stereoviews (or stereocards, stereographs, etc.) were a popular way of virtually travelling to exotic places. Seen through a stereoscope, stereocards simulated the experience of seeing something in 3D! Stereoviews featured paired images that were slightly offset from each other. A stereoscope presented each of the viewer's eyes with just one of the images, prompting a sense of depth perception.

("Stereoscope," ca. 1940. Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.)

Several kinds of stereoscopes were developed to help people enjoy stereoviews but the simple Holmes design created by Oliver Wendel Holmes was inexpensive and widespread. (For those too impecunious or cheap to spring for a stereoscope, the 3D effect can be had by holding a stereoview before the eyes and crossing them until a single image forms.)

("Upper Wyndham Street, Guelph," ca. 1900. Published by Nerlich & Co.)

Combined with the development of inexpensive photo printing of stereocards, the stereoscope become a popular amusement in Victorian parlors.

("Model Farm, Ontario Agricultural College," ca. 1902. Photographed and Published by B.W. Kilburn, - Littleton, N.H. Courtesy of Guelph Civic Museums 2002.18.1.)

Many Guelphites accumulated veritable libraries of exotic stereoviews. Also, Guelph scenes were captured and presented for 3D thrills around the globe.

("Eramosa Road from the corner of Woolwich and Wellington Streets," ca. 1910. Courtesy of Guelph Civic Musems 1986.18.30.)

When view postcards came on the scene around the turn of the 20th century, some postcards were printed as stereoviews, typically with the same image repeated on either side of the front of a standard-sized card. These "poor man's" stereoviews were not as effective as the real ones but seemed to amuse some postcard customers.

Though the stereoview remained popular into the early 20th century (and was carried on in the form of the Viewmaster), the pastime has faded from memory. However, a selection of Guelph stereocards is now on display in the cabinet on the ground floor of the Guelph Public Library main branch.

Unfortunately, the display will remain in place only until June 16, so head down to the library soon to get a sense of how Guelph looked in former years in the virtual reality technology of the day.

Thanks to Roger Miller for leading the effort to create this display!

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For those looking for more dope on the stereoscope, have a look at:

• Kellem, B.G. (2014, Sep. 25). "In the Stereoscope, Another World." Smithsonian Magazine.