Stéréo-Revue Roll Film Stereoscope

Early 1900s

This viewer was a mystery in our collection for a few months and we’re excited to now know its name. This type of side-by-side stereo film roll is a very rare format for a stereoscope made of wood. Even more rare than the viewer are the associated film rolls from 1900. These stereoview film rolls seem to be a subscription-based service because they’re in little mailer boxes, are dated the 16th of each month, and show various newsworthy events. The boxes are tied with a ribbon. Outside, they still have postage stamps and marks; inside, the film rolls are wrapped in a protective cardboard wrapper. Each end of the film roll has a metal bar that clips into the two spindles in the viewer.

We only know of two other wooden film roll stereoscopes: an extremely rare stereoscope made by Jules Richard in the late 1890s and another unmarked stereoscope made in France around 1915.

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