This Friday (21st June) is Stereoscopy Day, the third annual global celebration of stereoscopic 3D.

Organised by Denis Pellerin and Rebecca Sharpe, co-curators of the Brian May Archive of Stereoscopy, Stereoscopy Day marks 186 years since Sir  Charles Wheatstone first presented the stereoscope and his theory of binocular vision to the world.

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It was more than a decade ago when I first became aware of Wheatstone’s discovery.

Studying for a Masters degree in Photographic History & Research at De Montfort University, Leicester, I was fortunate enough to attend a presentation by Brian May, Denis Pellerin and Paula Fleming about their book ‘Diableries: Stereoscopic Adventures in Hell.’   

For the first time, I heard  terms like ‘stereocard,’ ‘stereoscope’ and ‘view’ and learned about the fascination that 3D held for the Victorians.

As it turned out, the presentation proved both inspirational and pertinent.

A few months later, my Masters research project took shape … and a professional stereographer, Percy R. Salmon FRPS (1872-1959), was at its heart.

But there was only one problem.

However hard I tried, I could not see in 3D.

The reason lay in my ‘lazy’ right eye, diagnosed when I was 7 during a school medical.

My astigmatism has meant wearing glasses ever since.

Then one day, when I had almost given up all hope of seeing in 3D, I looked at a stereocard through a hand-held stereoscope for the umpteenth time – and the two images fused into one.

I could see the promised 3D ‘view.’

Since then, stereoscopy has transformed my life, leading to a doctorate that investigated 3D’s influence on early press photography (see ‘Writings’).

It’s also improved my eye-sight, prompting my optician to wonder how this was possible given I am getting older.

What started as a handful of stereocards is now a growing collection.

It largely features the Underwood & Underwood company (1880s-1920s); plus Excelsior Stereoscopic Tours of Burnley, Lancashire; press stereographer James Edward Ellam (1857-1920); plus early stereos by W. & D. Downey and amateurs like Edward and Eliza Charlton, all featured elsewhere on this blog.

If you haven’t tried stereoscopy before, hunt down a few cards on Ebay and purchase an ‘Owl’ viewer designed by Brian May.

https://shop.londonstereo.com/OWL-B-ENV.html

You won’t regret it.

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