Viewing a card from the Italy boxed set of Underwood & Underwood stereo cards c1908
Toronto. People occasionally see a book-shaped box containing stereo cards – the pre-movie, pre-radio, pre-tv 3D entertainment phenomenon. Many name distributors of stereo cards took to box sets around the late 1800s. A detailed written guide was often available for a price to expand on each card.
Many boxed sets covered travel topics (like the Italy box being used by the viewer shown at left). Other boxed sets were of an educational nature, usually addressed to teachers.
Bob Wilson, in his Image of the Month column in issue 16-1 introduces an image demonstrating a typical boxed set, saying “Most stereo collectors, and certainly boxed set collectors would long to have a shelf like the one shown in this 1908 view by Underwood and Underwood [image at left].
“The main bookshelf, behind the man looking through the stereo viewer, contains 32 Underwood and Underwood boxed sets, with more in view on the second bookshelf farther back. He is looking at a stereo view from the Italy set, while consulting the guide book and referring to the view location on the map.
“Underwood and Underwood began publishing boxed sets of stereo cards in the late 1890’s. These usually contained 100 stereo views, but sets with as few as 12 cards were published. The cards were stored in boxes which resembled books from the end. The nominal 100 card set came in a box that looked like two books.
“The Italy Box that is open on the table in this view contains 100 cards. Along with most sets, Underwood and Underwood also published a descriptive guide book, although its purchase was optional.”
Yep! You guessed it. Members can view all of Bob’s column in the issue 16-1 pdf file on the (free to members) DVD. Non-members can sign up tout de suite using the ‘MEMBERSHIP’ item above on the menu bar or the ‘Membership – Join or Renew!’ guideline to the right. It’s easy and inexpensive to be a member! Questions? Drop a line to Lilianne Schneider, our Membership Secretary at member@phsc.ca.
Visit our fall events to search out stereo cards (and other goodies) to fill the empty spots in your collection. Next up is our Fall Fair on October 20th.
