We took our first trip to the Brimfield Antique Show this week! In addition to viewing all of the spectacular vintage gems, Ali picked up some neat old stereographs depicting (often humorous) vintage wedding ceremonies.
'"After Ceremony": Sue & Hubert look frightened as they embark on their new life together.' I think the wedding party looks more frightened than the couple.
Oliver Wendell Holmes’ Stereoscope viewer, originally developed in 1861.
Now a novelty, stereographs were once a popular and affordable form of entertainment. The images were meant to be viewed with a stereoscope. It’s hard to see with the naked eye, but each picture is slightly different to take into account the difference in how our left and right eyes process what they see. Pretty cool for technology that was invented around 1850.
If you want to view more, check out the New York Public Library’s Stereogranimator, which has turned several stereographic images in animated GIFs. The Boston Public Library also has a neat collection of digitized stereographs.
Sneaking a kiss before the big day!