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THE TWO VIEWERS
1. The “Perfecscope” (James M. Davis / H.C. White)
Aluminum Holmes-style stereoscope marked:
• THE “PERFECSCOPE” TRADE MARK
• U.S.A. PATENT OCT. 15, 1895 / JUNE 3, 1902 / FEB. 1, 1898
• Canada, France, Germany (DRGM No. 53803), Great Britain, Austria, Belgium
• JAMES M. DAVIS AGENT — 21 WASHINGTON PL. — NEW YORK, U.S.A.
Patented 1895 by Hawley C. White and sold through James M. Davis. Circa 1895–1905. Engraved aluminum hood with floral scrollwork, wooden handle and divider.
2. Keystone View Company stereoscope
Wooden body with metal viewing hood, stamped:
MANUFACTURED BY KEYSTONE VIEW CO.
MEADVILLE, PA. U.S.A.
Keystone (founded 1892, Meadville, PA) began making viewers around 1898. This example is typical of the early 1900s, circa 1900–1920.
A separate wooden card-holder bar with wire clips is included and appears to belong with one of the viewers.
IMPORTANT — VIEWER CONDITION
Both viewers are not in great condition. They show heavy age: rusted screws and hardware, worn/missing velvet face padding, loose or detached parts, and incomplete card-holding/slide mechanisms. They look incomplete and I do not believe they work as intended. Sold as historic display pieces / parts / restoration projects only. Please judge from the photos.
THE 144 STEREOVIEW CARDS
Approximately 144 original antique stereographs (standard ~3½” x 7” curved and flat mounts). Mixed publishers and dates, roughly 1890s through the early 1920s.
Includes:
• A large group of Keystone View Company gray-mount cards, many from their well-known World War I / “World War Through the Stereoscope” series (c. 1917–1923): artillery, troops, aircraft, cannons, crowds, and the American cemetery beside the road into Belleau Wood, France (with the original printed description on the reverse).
• Older James M. Davis / B.W. Kilburn tan-mount cards (copyrights as early as 1891), including “Sky Railroading, White Mountains, N.H.,” city streets, interiors, and travel scenes.
• Additional travel, architecture, industry, and historic views.
CARD CONDITION
Cards are aged originals, not reproductions. Expect toning, slight edge wear, light soiling, and some fading. Typical honest wear for 100–130-year-old paper photographs. Not mint. Photos show the overall look.
