Re: If only they were cameras....stereocards revisited

[P3D Edward Hosey <ehh@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Stephen Warren of Roanoke, VA wrote: 

>I'm going to go out on a limb and say that Photo
>3D is exclusively a camera-oriented, shooters-&-viewers-only mailing list.
>Viewmaster is well represented, but not stereoview collectors. I've been
>participating for nearly a year and a half, and watching the daily mail go
>by certainly backs up my supposition. This is not a bad thing to be amongst
>the best and the brightest of today's 3D photographers, but I _wish_ there
>were more view collectors here with us (alas....). In fact, I say this only to
>encourage all of you "users-only" type people to dive into collecting 19th
>century views.

Hi Stephen,

I have only hinted previously that I have stereoviews.  That is how I first 
became interested in 3-D...an older relative's stereoscope was my entertainment 
since she didn't have a television (which could have only received the single 
station broadcast near Hinton, WV, and it only played old westerns).  

I saved up my money and went to J.C. Penney (of all places) where they had a 
viewer and cards (nicely ptinted on flimsy stock).  About the same time I 
accidentally came across a book on stereophotography in a science section at Ohio 
State University's Agriculture Library.  I started making my own stereoviews and 
collecting them in 1980 or 1981.  My favorite moments were trying to keep my 3 
year-old niece still long enough for two photographs!

Anyway, to make a long story a little longer ;) I was cleaning my apartment last 
night and came across the cards I had made and the antique ones I own.  It was a 
joy to look at them (was I really that young and were my friends still alive?) 
and a disappointment to see how poorly my single instamatic captured the moments 
and how my glue had allowed the pictures to slide a little.  The older views 
still look marvelous.  I remember being in college and on a fixed income but not 
wanting to let that shot of the ancient olive tree be left behind at the antique 
store ($2!!!)  

Now, when I am at flea markets and swap meets I see people are asking $10 or more 
per scene (assuming it is in nice condition).  I think this is what is most 
prohibitive to me (and others?) when I am considering buying more.  I picked up a 
View Master box (maroon & green) crammed full of old reels for $50.  Several of 
them are very rare and valuable.

I do still keep my eye out for particular cards, though.   I am still looking for 
an early (1900-1920) shot of the U.S. Court of Appeals in San Francisco at 7th & 
Mission Streets since I work for the Court of Appeals and we move back to that 
building in five months following a five year earthquake repair.  I am sure there 
are others out there who are "closeted collectors".  I think you'll hear from 
them as a result of your e-mail.

Thanks for reminding me of my original interest in 3-D.

Eddie
-- 
Eddie Hosey
ehh@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Take a second--breathe deeply--and think about what you enjoy most in life.


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