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Guide to the Stereoscopic Views Collection

Processed by Preliminary arrangement and description by R. Barker; latest revision, D. Tambo
Department of Special Collections
Davidson Library
University of California, Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA 93106
Phone: (805) 893-3062
Fax: (805) 893-5749
Email: special@library.ucsb.edu
URL: http://www.library.ucsb.edu/speccoll/speccoll.html
© 2003
Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.

Guide to the Stereoscopic Views Collection, ca. 1877-1913

Collection number: Mss 121

Department of Special Collections, Davidson Library, University of California, Santa Barbara

Contact Information:

  • Department of Special Collections
  • Davidson Library
  • University of California, Santa Barbara
  • Santa Barbara, CA 93106
  • Phone: (805) 893-3062
  • Fax: (805) 893-5749
  • Email: special@library.ucsb.edu
  • URL: http://www.library.ucsb.edu/speccoll/speccoll.html
    Processed by:
    Preliminary arrangement and description by R. Barker; latest revision, D. Tambo
    Date Completed:
    31 October 2003
    Encoded by:
    David C. Gartrell
© 2003 Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.

Descriptive Summary

Title: Stereoscopic Views Collection,
Date (inclusive): ca. 1877-1913
Collection Number: Mss 121
Extent: 3.4 linear feet (5 card boxes and 1 document box)
Repository: University of California, Santa Barbara. Library. Department of Special Collections
Santa Barbara, California 93106-9010
Physical Location: Del Sur
Language: English.

Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

None.

Publication Rights

Copyright has not been assigned to the Department of Special Collections, UCSB. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Department of Special Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which also must be obtained.

Preferred Citation

Stereoscopic Views Collection. Mss 121. Department of Special Collections, Davidson Library, University of California, Santa Barbara.

Acquisition Information

Gift of Allan Adrian, Mr. and Mrs Henry M. Adams, Howard Walls, and other gifts and other purchases, ca. 1960s-2003.

Scope and Content of Collection

The collection contains about 600 stereoscopic views, also known as stereoscopic slides, stereographs, and stereopticans. These images were intended to be viewed on handheld stereoscopes, which gave the illusion of 3D images. Most of the views have printed captions. The bulk are black/white, but a few are tinted and others have printed color images. Included are views from California, other parts of the U.S. and more than 30 other countries; also subjects as mining, Native Americans, Spanish American War, and U.S. Civil War.
The images in the collection are divided into the following four series: California, Other U.S., Other Countries, and Subjects.
A stereoscope is included in the collection (Box 6), to view the images.
Companies represented in the collection include:
  • American Stereoscopic Co. (NY)
  • B. W. Kilburn (Littleton, NH)
  • Galbreath, Harvey & Lyles (Manitou, CO)
  • H. C. White (N. Bennington VT)
  • Ingersoll View Company [also T. W. Ingersoll] (St. Paul, MN)
  • J. C. Moulton (Fitchburg, MA)
  • Keystone View Co. (Meadville, PA; Portland, OR; St. Louis, San Francisco, Toronto, New York, London; Sydney)
  • Littleton View Co. (Littleton, NH)
  • Miller View Co. (Tyrone, PA)
  • Montgomery Ward & Co. (Chicago, IL)
  • R. M. McIntosh (Northfield, VT)
  • Savage & Ottinger's (Salt Lake City, UT)
  • Strohmeyer and Wyman
  • Thomas Houseworth & Co. (San Francisco, CA)
  • Underwood & Underwood (New York; London; Toronto; Ottawa, KS)
  • W. N. Hobbs (Exeter, NH)
  • Webfoot View Company
  • World Wide View Co. (Chicago)
Further information about stereoscopic views and those who produced them may be found in works such as the following. These are located in Special Collections, have been cataloged individually, and may be searched on Pegasus, the UCSB Libraries online catalog.
  • American Stereographs: A Selection from Private Collections (Grey Gallery, 1980).
  • Brewster, David. The Stereoscope: Its History, Theory, and Construction (1971). Darrah, William Culp. The World of Stereographs (1977).
  • Darrah William Culp. Stereo Views: A History of Stereographs in America and Their Collection(1964).
  • Jones, John. Wonders of the Stereoscope (1976).Symons, K. C. M. Stereoscopic Cameras (1978).
  • Treadwell, T. K. Stereographers of the World (1994).
  • Waldsmith, John S. Stereo Views: An Illustrated History and Price Guide (1991).
  • Wing, Paul. Stereoscopes: The First One Hundred Years (1996).

Collection Contents

 

Series 1.  California

Scope and Content Note

Granite Hill Mine (Tuolumne Co.), Lick Observatory, Riverside, San Francisco, Santa Barbara, South Pasadena, and Yosemite.
Box 1

Granite Hill Mine and Shaft House, Stanislaus River, Tuolumne Co., 1907

Abstract: [20 items]
Box 1

Lick Observatory, Mount Hamilton, 1895

Abstract: [1 item]
Box 1

Riverside - Magnolia Ave., 1902

Abstract: [1 item]
Box 1

San Francisco - Sites - Cliff House, 1909

Abstract: [1 item]
Box 1

San Francisco (Bay Area) - Earthquake and Fire, 1906 - 1907

Abstract: [11 items]
Box 1

Santa Barbara - trees, n.d.

Abstract: [4 items]
Box 1

South Pasadena - ostrich farm, 1903

Abstract: [1 item]
Box 1

Yosemite, 1894 - 1909

Abstract: [19 items]
 

Series 2.  Other U.S.

Scope and Content Note

Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Washington, D.C., and Wisconsin.
Box 1

Alaska - going up the Yukon River, 1900

Abstract: [[1 item]]
Box 1

Arizona - Bonito Canyon, Grand Canyon, Hopi Reservation, Petrified Forest, n.d.

Abstract: [(8 items)]
Box 1

Colorado - Cheyenne Canyon, Garden of the Gods, Manitou Springs, Monumental Park, n.d.

Abstract: [(15 items)]
Box 1

Florida - Ocklawaha River, orange groves, St. Augustine, St. Johns River, Silver Spring, Forest Highway, homes, n.d.

Abstract: [(23 items)]
Box 1

Georgia - Lookout Mountain, Savannah Resin market, n.d.

Abstract: [(2 items)]
Box 1

Hawaii - banana plantation, Koloa (Kauai), 1898

Abstract: [(1 item)]
Box 1

Maine - Bar Harbor, Mt. Desert, n.d.

Abstract: [(10 items)]
Box 2

Massachusetts - Boston, 1898, 1901

Abstract: [(2 items)]
Box 2

New Hampshire - Isle of Shoals, Mt. Washington, n.d.

Abstract: [(15 items)]
Box 2

New York - Au Sable River, New York City, Niagara Falls, n.d.

Abstract: [(44 items)]
Box 2

Ohio - Cincinnati, n.d.

Abstract: [(1 item)]
Box 2

Oregon - Columbia River, Mt. Hood, Salem, n.d.

Abstract: [(6 items)]
Box 2

South Carolina - Olympian Cotton Mills (Columbia), 1902

Abstract: [(1 item)]
Box 2

Utah - Salt Lake City, Union Pacific and Central Pacific Railroads, n.d.

Abstract: [11 items]
Box 2

Vermont - Sheldon, n.d.

Abstract: [1 item]
Box 2

Virginia - Caverns of Luray, Rockbridge County, ca. 1882-1883, 1902

Abstract: [15 items]
Box 2

Washington - Puget Sound salmon, 1902

Abstract: [1 item]
Box 2

Washington, D.C. - Arlington Cemetery, Washington Monument, White House, n.d.

Abstract: [3 items]
Box 2

Wisconsin - Castle Rock, Minniehaha Springs, n.d.

Abstract: [2 items]
 

Series 3.  Other Countries

Scope and Content Note

Algeria, Austria, Belgium, British West Indies, Burma, Canada, Ceylon, China, Costa Rica, Cuba, Denmark, Egypt, El Salvador, England, France, Germany, Greece, Greenland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Martinique, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Palestine, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Russia, Scotland, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.
Box 3

Algeria - Algiers, n.d.

Abstract: [13 items]
Box 3

Austria - Tyrol, 1898

Abstract: [1 item]
Box 3

Belgium - Brussels, 1894, 1901

Abstract: [(2 items)]
Box 3

British West Indies - St. Vincent, 1903

Abstract: [(1 item)]
Box 3

Burma - schoolboys by the Irrawaddy River, 1905

Abstract: [(1 item)]
Box 3

Canada - Montreal, Niagara Falls, Rocky Mountains, Thousand Islands (St. Lawrence River), n.d.

Abstract: [7 items]
Box 3

Ceylon - elephants, rice harvesting, sunset on the ocean, 1902 - 1903

Abstract: [3 items]
Box 3

China - Allied forces at Port of Tang Ku, Canton, Manchuria -Mukden, Port Arthur, Peking -Forbidden City, bride and bridegroom, 1900 - 1905

Abstract: [13 items]
Box 3

Costa Rica - gathering cocoa pods, 1904

Abstract: [1 item]
Box 3

Cuba - home in rural Havana Province, 1898

Abstract: [1 item]
Box 3

Denmark - Copenhagen, 1897 - 1905

Abstract: [5 items]
Box 3

Egypt - Cairo, n.d.

Abstract: [1 item]
Box 3

El Salvador - tortilla making, 1902

Abstract: [1 item]
Box 3

England - London, ca. 1901 - 1904

Abstract: [6 items]
Box 3

France - Marseille, Paris, n.d.

Abstract: [23 items]
Box 3

Germany -Berlin, Castle Soonick, Karlsbad, n.d.

Abstract: [3 items]
Box 3

Greece - Parthenon, Temple of Athens, n.d.

Abstract: [2 items]
Box 3

Greenland - Eskimo and summer tents, 1902

Abstract: [1 item]
Box 3

India - Durbar at Delhi, mountains near Simla, children in Kashmir, Nepalese female porters, 1902 - 1903

Abstract: [6 items]
Box 3

Indonesia - Banka Island and other Djambi villages, people, rural scenes, 1912 - 1913

Abstract: [25 items]
Box 4

Ireland - Belfast, County Monaghan, Dublin, Giant's Causeway, Kenmare, Killarney, 1901 - 1903

Abstract: [11 items]
Box 4

Italy - Italian Alps, Milan Pompeii, sites of Rome, n.d.

Abstract: [27 images]
Box 4

Japan - Mount Fuji, Nara, Nikko, Tokyo, Yokohama, Battleship 'Asahi', gardens and parks, hospital, military, people of different occupations, rural life, street scenes, temples, n.d.

Box 4

Korea - agriculture, scenes of houses and market, 1901, 1904

Abstract: [3 items]
Box 4

Martinique - City of the Dead (St. Pierre), volcano damage, 1903

Abstract: [1 item]
Box 4

Mexico - Mexico City cathedral, Vera Cruz copper mines, n.d.

Abstract: [17 items]
Box 4

Netherlands - Volendam, 1904

Abstract: [1 item]
Box 4

Norway - fjords, mountain homes and roads, royal palace at Christiana, 1896, 1905-1906

Abstract: [7 items]
Box 4

Palestine - Jerusalem pilgrims and sites, Hebron mosque, Mt. Carmel, butter churner, n.d.

Abstract: [10 images]
Box 4

Philippines - Manila merchants, street scenes, Binendo Canal, saw mill on Island of Cebu, n.d.

Abstract: [4 items]
Box 4

Puerto Rico - pineapple fields, 1899

Abstract: [1 item]
Box 4

Russia - views of Moscow, Nijni-Novgorod, St. Petersburg, n.d.

Abstract: [3 items]
Box 4

Scotland - Valley of the Tay, 1898

Abstract: [1 item]
Box 4

South Africa - Boers, Cape Town, President Paul Kruger, 1900 - 1902

Abstract: [8 items]
Box 4

Spain - Alhambra at Granada, 1902

Abstract: [1 item]
Box 4

Sweden - Husqvarna, Stockholm sites, 1897, 1906

Abstract: [4 items]
Box 4

Switzerland - Brienz, Lucerne, Matterhorn, St. Bernard, St. Gotthard Railroad, mountain villages and scenery, agriculture, glaciers, climbing, alpenhorn, winter sports, woodcarving, 1901 - 1909

Abstract: [32 items]
 

Series 4.  Subjects

Scope and Content Note

Columbian Exposition, Mining, Native Americans, Naval vessels, Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition, Spanish American War, U.S. Civil War, Yellowstone, and Miscellany.
Box 5

Arizona gold and copper mining, 1903

Abstract: [2 items]
Box 5

Blackfeet Indians, Glacier National Park, Montana, n.d.

Abstract: [1 item]
Box 5

Columbian Exposition - Liberal Arts Building, 1893

Abstract: [1 item, Mining]
Box 5

Expedition of 1871-1874 (War Department, Corps of Engineers) - Apache, Mojave, Navajo, Ute, and Zuni, 1871 - 1874

Abstract: [13 items, gift of Howard Walls]
Box 5

Klondike, 1898

Abstract: [3 items]
Box 5

Miscellany, n.d.

Abstract: [Incl. unidentified buildings and settings, staged events, steamship 'Great Eastern', malarial mosquito exhibit, children dancing around the daisy pole, navy group at the Lincoln Monument (14 items)]
Box 5

Native Americans

Box 5

Naval Vessels -'Iowa', 'New York', 'Oregon', 1898 - 1901

Abstract: [3 items]
Box 5

Ouray[Co], 1890

Abstract: [1 item]
Box 5

Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition, 1876

Abstract: [63 items, gift of Dr. and Mrs. Henry M. Adams]
Box 5

Spanish American War, 1898

Abstract: [battleship 'Maine', protected cruisers 'Newark' and 'Olympia', dynamite cruiser 'Buffalo', the 'Boston', U.S. Army camp at Port Tampa, bombardment of Matanzas (Cuba) (8 items)]
Box 5

U.S. Civil War, n.d.

Abstract: [Chickamauga camp, Gen. Grant's Council of War, Union dead at Gettysburg, hospital at Fredericksburg, crippled locomotive at Richmond, levee at Vicksburg [from earlier 1864-1865 images] (6 items) (gift of Howard Walls)]
Box 5

Yellowstone, n.d.

Abstract: [Old Faithful, other geyers and geological formations, grizzly bear, 5 items]
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