Re: Stereocard Musings

[AndyBurr@xxxxxxx]

Hi Ron et al.,

> 1. Why does there seem to be so many stereocards of U.S. President
>      McKinley compared with any other president??

I believe it's partly because stereo was undergoing one of its cyclical
popularity peaks, but mostly because he was killed. We (Americans? Humans?)
seem to be much more interested in someone after they meet a violent end.
Other similar cases: JFK, John Lennon, Kurt Cobain. 

Re #2 ....""Why do they have to be on tissue paper??""  I dunno. Perhaps that
serves as the "very thin card" you suggest. While pasting a regular
photoprint on a thin card allows pinpricking (and I've seen a few regular
view cards with home-made intentional pinpricking) that wouldn't allow any
hidden tinting to come through, or any of the "surprise" elements (often a
moon or flames) to become visible. Someone explained recently how the tissues
were often composed of two or three layers, one for the print, one for
tinting, one for backing. 

I also find tissue views beautiful and fascinating. What a great combination
of b&w photography, color, light, and translucency! I wonder if anything
similar to antique tissue views was produced in more recent years? 

Andy Burr


------------------------------