My wood stereo viewer once belonged to my great-grandmother. It’s in great shape and came with more than 70 cards, some dated as early as 1892. The cards are also in good condition. What’s the value? — R.J.
It’s a Holmes stereoscope manufactured in the 1880s or 1890s. This type of inexpensive stereoscope was developed about 1860 by Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr. (1809-1894), who purposely did not patent it so that almost any home could afford a viewer. They were the most common stereoscopes in America.
Sir Charles Wheatstone (1802-1875) is credited with inventing the stereoscope in 1838, which used mirrors to display an image. Because photography was not a practical medium, drawings were used.
This stereoscope and views are worth $75 to $100. Some views are worth more than others, depending on subject matter. For example, black Americana, World War I and dogs seem to be popular views.
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Because I have moved to a new house, I need to liquidate some things, among them an old Victrola record player and collection of records. What are the wholesale and retail values of the player and records? — S.M.
You didn’t send information from the nameplate, and since there are many models in this configuration, I cannot identify it. The Victor Talking Machine Co. was America’s best known and largest maker of phonographs and records.
The Victor company (1901-1929) was founded by Eldridge R. Johnson (1867-1945). The company spent much of its time in court, fighting competitors. The famous logo features a terrier named Nipper, originally painted in 1898 by English artist Francis James Barraud (1856-1924). It’s Barraud’s most famous work.
This machine, which needs restoration, is worth $100 to $125. An antiques dealer should offer half that amount, especially if he moves it. Since you did not identify the records, explain condition and other details, I can’t evaluate them.
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