I make a very common mistake in describing these types of photographic images. I have long called them stereopticon cards. Many people do. But, that’s wrong. The correct term for these side-by-side, off-set images mounted on stiff card is “stereograph. They are viewed using a “stereoscope” which is a hand-held personal viewer which not only magnifies the image, but because the photos are slightly different from each other, produces a 3-D effect.
So, what’s the difference? A Stereopticon actually projects these images whereas a stereoscope is held and viewed by a single person.
Now that I have that cleared up, let’s take a look at this nifty card. It shows two side-by-side, off-set images of Westminster Abbey. This card was produced by the Keystone View Company (1892-1963), which was based in Pennsylvania, Unites States.
The front of the card also reads:
Keystone View Company
Copyright H.C. White Co.
Manufacturers Made in U.S.A. Publishers
Meadville, PA., New York, NY.
Chicago, Ill., London, England
W28116 T Westminster Abbey, Last resting place of nation’s great. Seen from the Dean’s Yard, London, England.
The reverse of the card beautifully reads:
W28116
WESTMINSTER ABBEY SEEN FROM THE DEAN’S YARD, LONDON
No wonder England regards Westminster Abbey as its National Valhalla. When we recall the long line of kings from Edward the Confessor to George III and the still more glorious company of poets, artists, statesmen and men of letters whose bones are sheltered in this historic pile, the Abbey is no longer merely a place of wonderful sculpture, architecture and antiquities, but becomes instinct with the memories of England’s greatest souls.
The church was built in the customary form of a Latin cross and the famous chapel of Henry VII is an addition at the farther end of the nave. The while length is 513 feet. The Gothic rood is more than 100 feet above the pavement. The towers, designed by Sir Christopher Wren, are 225 feet high.
In early times, this spot was surrounded by the waters of the Thames. Here, on the introduction of Christianity into Britain, a monastic institution was founded and upon the site of its ruins an abbey was raised by Edward the Confessor about the year 1060. William the Conqueror was the first sovereign crowned here.
Everywhere within are imposing monuments, sepulchral tablets, statuary and tombs and the banners of chivalry. The Poet’s Corner in the south transept contains the memorials of authors eminent in English literature, including one of our own, Longfellow.
Many writers have recorded their impressions of the Abbey. Washington Irving wrote years ago: “The spaciousness and gloom of this vast edifice produce a profound and mysterious awe. We step cautiously and softly about as if fearful of disturbing the hallowed silence. We feel that we are surrounded by the congregated bones of the great men of past times who have filled history with their deeds…”
Copyright by the Keystone View Company
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