Antique Jules Richard Stereoscopic Camera. Le Glyphoscope. France Ca.1915

This magnificent Jules Richard Le Glyphoscope, 45x107 format, manufactured in Paris, France, around 1915, is one of the most emblematic and appreciated stereoscopic models in the history of French photography. Conceived to offer three-dimensional images of exceptional quality in a portable format, the camera combines intelligent design, solid mechanics and a classical aesthetic that today is irresistible to collectors and lovers of antique photographic equipment. The specimen presented here stands out for its excellent state of preservation, its fully functional mechanics and the presence of original accessories, including a very rare front module with three-position filters.

The body of the camera, made of black-lacquered metal, retains its elegant and sober presence, with smooth surfaces that show the good care it has received for more than a century. The metal front, where the two stereoscopic lenses are located, maintains its firm structure, showing only slight rub marks and a superficial patina derived from use. These signs of wear are consistent with its age and provide an authentic charm without affecting the camera’s performance in any way.

The shutter works correctly, responding as it should when triggered. The side folding viewfinder is complete, with its glass intact and the framing lines still visible; it unfolds firmly, without looseness, and with the elegance characteristic of Jules Richard instruments.

The set is completed with two plate holders in very good condition, ideal for preserving the authenticity of the ensemble, and with an exceptionally rare accessory: a front module with circular filters mounted on a sliding metal plate, designed to be placed directly over the lenses. This accessory allows the selection of three different positions, expanding the photographer’s creative and technical possibilities. The presence of this uncommon complement significantly increases the interest and value of the set, as it rarely appears alongside cameras of this type.

The Glyphoscope presented here is one of those pieces that capture the essence of stereoscopic photography at its height. Its overall condition, its functioning and the presence of original accessories make it ideal both to complete a collection of historical cameras and to display in the decoration of a studio, library or space dedicated to photography. Its compact form, refined design and incredible history make it an object filled with cultural and technical significance.

In a market where it is increasingly difficult to find complete and functional examples, this Glyphoscope ca.1915 represents an extraordinary opportunity. Its beauty, its rarity and its fantastic preservation make it a piece that deserves to be appreciated without reservations. Do not let the opportunity pass to add it to your collection or to offer it as a gift to someone special.

Measurements: 13 × 7,5 × 6 cm (5,12 × 2,95 × 2,36 in).

History of Jules Richard and the Glyphoscope

The history of the Glyphoscope is closely linked to the company founded by Jules Richard in Paris at the end of the nineteenth century. The Richard firm became a worldwide reference thanks to its advances in stereoscopic cameras and viewers, responsible for popularising relief imagery during the golden age of stereoscopy. The stereoscope was not only a domestic entertainment device, but also an educational and documentary tool that allowed people across the world to contemplate distant scenes with surprising depth. This enthusiasm for three-dimensionality drove the creation of compact cameras capable of producing two simultaneous images aligned with precision.

The Glyphoscope emerged as a natural evolution within this tradition. Its design sought to offer a lighter, more economical and more accessible camera without sacrificing optical quality or mechanical precision. Manufactured from the early twentieth century, and especially around 1910–1920, the Glyphoscope represented one of the most successful solutions for amateurs wishing to begin in stereoscopic photography. Its compact body, reliable shutter and folding viewfinder made it a versatile tool. The system of plate holders and the focusing screen allowed users to work with full control of sharpness, something essential in relief photography, where the exact alignment of the images determines the final effect.

Jules Richard played a crucial role in the democratization of this technique. His company produced not only cameras, but also viewers, stereoscopic plates and accessories, creating a complete ecosystem that contributed to the popularization of the medium. The Glyphoscope occupied a central place in that catalogue, especially during the years preceding and following the First World War, when the interest in documenting places, landscapes and everyday scenes through three-dimensional images reached a peak.

Today the Glyphoscope is highly valued by collectors due to its historical importance and its meticulous engineering. Its compact design represents an exceptional balance between functionality and industrial elegance. Complete examples, especially those that retain additional accessories such as filters or original holders, are increasingly difficult to find. This piece, therefore, is not only a collector’s item: it is also a direct testimony to a period in which photography became a three-dimensional window onto the world.We are professional antique dealers. To see more photos of this item, Please click on this link:

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