stereo card -1890s Christmas scene
Toronto. Long before television, people could view stereo cards at home to see the world, learn new things, and view comedy. Games used simple objects found in any home.
Even in the 1940s, I can remember playing the button game shown in this stereo card (see at left) using a button from my grandmother’s collection of buttons in a small cardboard box.
In issue 25-3 one of our resident stereo buffs, the late Dr Robert Wilson, chose a selection of cards from his collection to illustrate Christmas in the 1890s in the article “Christmas Cheer in Stereo ….”
Bob accompanied the illustrations with this article: “As the world approached the 20th century, all thoughts turn to Christmas , good cheer, and Santa Claus.
“We present a selection of stereo cards wherein the photographers of the day set their interpretations to image in the hope of making a saleable product.” …
Members can read and see the rest of the stereo article and cards in the issue 25-3 pdf file (last page, page 20) on the free members-only DVD/thumb drive.
Joining the PHSC is both easy and inexpensive – follow MEMBERSHIP above for cheques or Membership at right for credit cards, etc. Questions about membership? Drop Lilianne a line at member@phsc.ca.
Visit our 2025 events to see if you can add to your collection. Last up is our November 9, 2025 auction.
