Brewster Stereoscope Mahogany 19th Century

This instrument is a trapezoidal-shaped box with curved edges made from mahogany for viewing pictures in 3 dimensions. In front, two converging lens eyepieces adjusted for focal length with rack and pinion mechanism. The whole supported on a brass-telescoping pillar with black painted tripod feet. On the opposite side of the lenses, two lateral openings for the insertion of stereoscopic pictures on cardboard or tissue and a sheet of frosted glass to diffuse the light through the tissue picture. On top, a hinged mirrored door that acts to reflect light for frontal illumination of cardboard pictures The mirror is in poor condition. Internally, the box is darkened and is divided into two parts with a center partition that prevents each eye from perceiving the image of the other. Sir David Brewster (1781-1868) was a Scottish physicist who invented the kaleidoscope and this reflected light lens stereoscope. He also discovered the polarization phenomenon of reflected light.