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RARE LOT OF 5 ORIGINAL KEYSTONE VIEW COMPANY STEREOVIEWS — CIRCA 1899–1900
Wonderful collection of five original antique Keystone View Company stereoview/stereoscope cards dating to the turn of the 20th century.
These are approximately 125+ years old and are fascinating survivors from the era when stereoscopic photographs were a popular form of home entertainment. When viewed through a stereoscope, the paired photographs combine to create a three-dimensional image.
Rather than ordinary landscape or travel views, these are especially entertaining staged comic and domestic-life scenes, providing a remarkable glimpse into American popular culture, humor, clothing, homes, social customs and attitudes around 1900.
INCLUDED IN THIS COLLECTION:
No. 10409 — “offerdy, You May Serve the Tomatoes Undressed.”
Copyright 1900 by B. L. Singley.
This exact Keystone subject and catalog number is documented in the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's Domestic Life Stereograph and Photograph Collection. The Smithsonian identifies it as a 1900 image by B. L. Singley, published by Keystone View Co. �
Smithsonian Institution
No. 10411 — “offerdy and the Mouse.”
Another Keystone comic domestic-life stereoview from the same period. The Boston Public Library's Harper Stereograph Collection catalogs this exact title and number as a 1900 Keystone View Company stereograph copyrighted by B. L. Singley.
PICRYL
No. 4218 — “Getting His Hair Banged.”
A wonderful turn-of-the-century barber/hairdressing comedy showing a gentleman seated while a woman prepares to strike him with a broom.
No. 2301 — “Just Watch Me.”
Charming period courtship/comedy scene showing a beautifully dressed Victorian-era couple seated outdoors.
No. 9521 — “If dat dog wasn't watchin I'd kiss you”
Copyright 1899 by B. L. Singley. A historically significant image depicting an African American couple, child and dog seated on a large pile of cotton.
The same “If Dat Dog Wasn't Watching I'd Kiss You” subject is preserved in William & Mary's African American Stereoview Collection, a research collection documenting imagery and racial attitudes of the Jim Crow era.
SCRC Guides +1
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE
These cards are more than humorous antique photographs. They are artifacts of American visual and social history at the turn of the 20th century.
Stereographs were enormously popular as parlor entertainment. Viewed through a stereoscope, the paired photographs produced the illusion of depth and allowed people to experience photographs in three dimensions. University of Illinois research describes stereographs as popular home entertainment and notes that staged visual jokes were an important part of the medium.
IOPN
The two “offerdy” images are particularly interesting examples of period social history. “offerdy” was a stock stereotype applied to Irish immigrant domestic servants in American popular culture. University of Illinois research specifically discusses the “offerdy” stereograph genre and the Tomatoes Undressed joke, noting that these images reflected contemporary stereotypes surrounding immigration, class and gender.
IOPN +1
Likewise, the African American stereoview contains period dialect and imagery reflecting racial stereotypes of its era. It is offered here as an original historical artifact and photographic document of the period, not as an endorsement of those portrayals.
CONDITION
Remarkably nice antique condition for photographs approximately 125+ years old.
The images remain strong and detailed with attractive sepia coloring. Cards show expected age-related toning, light edge/corner wear and other minor signs of age.
Each card has the surname “Wilson” handwritten lightly in pencil on the reverse, suggesting that these five cards have remained together as part of the same early collection.
Please examine all photographs carefully for exact condition. Nothing has been cleaned, erased or restored.
All five are being offered together as one collection.
A terrific group for collectors of:
Keystone View Company • B. L. Singley • stereoviews • stereoscope photography • Victorian & Edwardian photography • antique photographs • early 3-D photography • social history • domestic history • African American history • Irish-American history • turn-of-the-century Americana • photographic ephemera
