Parquet Stereoscope With Autochrome Shots

Floor stereoscope (also called living room stereoscope) composed of a varnished wooden column containing a series of metal frames allowing a series of stereoscopic glass plates on glass to pass through the focus of two lenses. The development is done by rack using 4 metal buttons arranged on the sides. The change of views is done by rotation thanks to two wooden washers on the sides. Elegant model, large in size, equipped for its transport with two ornate and removable metal handles on its sides and which has, at the back, a large pivoting mirror intended to reflect light on the frosted glass (accessory used especially for the observation of autochromes). Unsigned device, which can be dated around 1900, which contains 183 stereoscopic plates including 29 autochrome plates and 154 black and white photographs. The shots were taken by the same French family, some shots are captioned in black ink, one shot is dated 1903. The shots that can be dated between the beginning of 1900 and before the First World War illustrate the travels of this family in France (Normandy, South-East of France including views of the Nice carnival) and abroad (Italy, Norway, Tunisia, Algeria, etc.) as well as the sacraments of this family (marriage , baptisms, communions, etc.) and its sporting and recreational activities (children's games, cycling, pétanque, skiing, Nice carnival, etc.) The autochromes include a portrait of young Kabyle girls as well as a portrait of a member family in colonial military costume. Rare model in size and content. The mirror is a little tarnished, 2 broken plates including an autochrome (corner). Similar models dated 1900: Collection of the French Cinematheque, Stereoscopes filing cabinet - AP-18-3242. and AP-95-1734.