A microphotograph in a Stanhope charm might look like this.

Stanhopes, or ‘peeps’, are miniature microphotographic lenses incorporated in many novelty collectables produced from the mid-19th century onwards.

Stanhopes can be found in a range of small collectables, and exist in several main collectors’ categories. To view the hidden image, look for a small glass “bead” in a knob or handle of the object, and hold this close to the eye, focused on a light source. Stanhopes are often found in antique novelties made of bone, but are more difficult to spot in dark-coloured objects e.g. carved wood, bog oak or minerals (jet, granite).

Sewing accessories: needle cases, tape measures, pincushions, scissors, thimbles and thimble holders, stilettos and knitting needle guards.

Writing equipment: penholders, letter openers, mechanical pencils and seals.

Smokers’ requisites: cigarette and cigar holders, tobacco pipes and vesta cases.

Jewelry: charms, watch fobs (especially miniature binoculars), rings, pendants, rosaries and crucifixes.

Rarer items: whistles, perfume bottles, miniature chalets, walking canes and beer steins.

The Stanhope lens was invented by Charles, 3rd Earl Stanhope (1753-1816). It was a rod-shaped hand viewer with two surfaces of unequal curvature, but later the design was adapted to incorporate a curved magnifying surface at one end, and a plane surface at the other. Lord Stanhope died many years before his invention was used in the manufacture of novelty souvenirs.

Microphotography was invented in 1839 by John Benjamin Dancer (1812-1887), a manufacturer of optical and scientific equipment in Manchester, U.K. In 1852 he used the “wet plate” collodion process to achieve a microphotograph on collodion film, mounting it on a glass microscope slide. Later he produced microphotographic slides commercially, issuing them on a series of different subjects. The main disadvantage of his invention was that a microscope was needed to view the image.

The Stanhope photographic lens was developed by René Prudent Patrice Dagron (1819-1900) of France. He combined the Stanhope lens with a microphotograph to form a single miniature magnifying unit, which he patented in 1859. He inserted these “cylindres photomicroscopiques” in multitudes of cheap novelties, and established a “mail order” system to export his products around the world. His flair for publicity and considerable business acumen ensured that no other competitors achieved the same success.

In 1862 René Dagron established a small factory to make Stanhope lenses in the town of Gex, not far from the border with Switzerland. At least sixty local people were employed to produce the vast numbers of lenses needed to support the microphotographic industry in Paris. Eugène Reymond took over the business at the beginning of the twentieth century, followed by his son Roger. The last Stanhope lenses were made by Roger Reymond in 1972. After his death in 1998 the workshop was sold and the equipment dismantled. Although replica microphotographic lenses are being manufactured today, they are not Stanhopes made by the traditional methods.

sample of micropicture

Three of my Stanhopes, click to enlarge

back view of camera

Three of my Stanhopes:(You saw my heart Stanhope on my marriage bracelet)

camera: souvenir drawings/photos of Niagara Falls, Buffalo;

Celluloid binoculars, ¾” early century, double lens, souvenir drawings/photos of Paris views

metal binoculars, ½” ca. 1880’s. I bought this because I was so taken by the silliness of it.

I suppose this was a gentleman’s version of a portable Playboy Magazine. There is a photo of 3 naked dames within. Well they were within;they made a run for it. I paid a lot for this thing and I wasn’t going to let the loss of these “ladies” ruin the value of my charm. Apparently the glue that held them fast decayed and the Stanhope fell out. That made this what is called by us collectors, a “Stanhopeless.” Luckily it was still in the little box the charm was in. I never would have known had I not taken them out to do this post.

a novelty photo from a charm, probably worn on a gentleman’s fob chain
the same ilk as mine; wonder if he carried a photo of his beloved as well…

There is a place that still makes Stanhopes that can repair it; the Stanhope Microworks Company From now on, I am keeping these Bare Naked Ladies in a mini plastic bag until I can get them restored. Now I am Stanhopeful.

The missing Stanhope lens with the Bare Naked Ladies is now safely tucked away in a teensy plastic envelope.

These are very tiny photos mounted on a little glass rod about 1/1Oth inch in diameter and 1/4 inch long. The image is about 1/3 of the diameter of the glass rod and very fragile.

typical Stanhopes from the antiques Dept. from the Stanhope Microworks Company

And now for something completely different…another bracelet for you hand crafters

click to enlarge

How it’s Stitched:

knitting needles in knitting bag

thimble

mechanical scissors

mechanical sewing machine: turn the wheel and the needle goes up and down

dress maker’s model

mechanical scissors

sewing machine: bottom tray opens to imprint of scissors

spool of thread

Comments form the Yahoo Parallel Universe:

As you know I so look forward to this every Sunday. The detail is amazing! Fascinating post………thank you for sharing my friend.

 

• Cheyanne

Interesting blog.
Since I used to sew, I was especially taken with the charm bracelet.
I think you are gradually making me a collector…of something, don’t know what yet.

14 CommentsChronological Reverse Threaded

editdeletereply lauritasita wrote on Feb 24, ’08 SO interesting. I would never imagine photographs that small. Is there a Stanhopes Microworks Company here in the U.S.? You would have to send them the tiny pics. I love the sewing machine’s moving parts. Great post !

reply starfishred wrote on Feb 24, ’08 All So interesting what a wonderful mini mini picture and I too love the moving sewing mashine.Great post as always!

reply nomadtraveller wrote on Feb 24, ’08 How wonderful. You have opened my eyes to a new world, Sue. I used to own a Stanhope (though didn’t know it was anything special); it was a teak ashtray, with a betel nut centre and there was a Stanhope in the centre with a view of Victoria Falls. Of course it was badly designed, since everyone stubbed their cigarette on the Stanhope and ash went up your nose when you looked through it, so it went the way (sadly) of all our ashtrays eventually.

reply dianeoart wrote on Feb 24, ’08 We don’t make quality products like this anymore… what a shame. Thanks to you they are having a new life.

reply ruraldiva wrote on Feb 24, ’08 How VERY interesting…..no facinating. Now I’m wondering as well if I had or have any of these gems tucked away somewhere. Hmmmm. I don’t think so you’ld think I would have found them by now. As always I totally enjoyed this tour.

reply nemo4sun wrote on Feb 24, ’08 wow! i had seen those and didn’t know what they were:)

reply sanssouciblogs wrote on Feb 24, ’08 lauritasita said SO interesting. I would never imagine photographs that small. Is there a Stanhopes Microworks Company here in the U.S.? You would have to send them the tiny pics. I love the sewing machine’s moving parts. Great post ! The Stanhope Microworks is in PA; I think I’ll be shipping the Bare Naked Ladies there for restoration.

reply gilesy01 wrote on Feb 24, ’08, edited on Feb 24, ’08 That’s fascinating. I once saw a simila concept in a Chinese restaurant in Portugal. We had shotglasses of liqueurs after the meal, and when we had drunk the last drop, down in the bottom of the glasses were pictures of women in corsets being whipped. It used the lens created by the liquid to conceal the delightful surprise till the very end.

reply annedigitalis wrote on Feb 24, ’08 That’s amazing! I never heard of photographs that small. Really cool! Thanks for posting this, I think I need this for my photography collection.

reply philsgal7759 wrote on Feb 24, ’08 OMG teeny tiny naked ladies funny. Nice work Sue

reply redheadgirl4 wrote on Feb 26, ’08 First of all, I’m glad you are Stanhopeful now! How fascinating! I love collectibles, and half the fun is trying to track things down. But I haven’t heard of these before, and it’s so interesting! These are so beautiful, and I love that you do this! I’m curious as to where you find these? In antique stores? Thanks so much for sharing this, I’ve learned something new, as always when I visit here!

reply sanssouciblogs wrote on Feb 26, ’08 redheadgirl4 said First of all, I’m glad you are Stanhopeful now! How fascinating! I love collectibles, and half the fun is trying to track things down. But I haven’t heard of these before, and it’s so interesting! These are so beautiful, and I love that you do this! I’m curious as to where you find these? In antique stores? Thanks so much for sharing this, I’ve learned something new, as always when I visit here! The magic word is ebay! I am a recovering addict!

reply hurricanekate wrote on Feb 26, ’08 Sometimes I don’t eve know what to say. The work you put into making these is I’m sure time consuming, detailed, from finding each charm to assembling the whole bracelet, and I’m also quite certain you don’t just slap a few charms on a bracelet and call it good, a lot of thought goes into each and every one of these.You are a gifted lady. I love the Stanhopes! I’m coming back to NYC soon, I want to photograph these for you.much lovexo

reply bushpig1 wrote on May 26, ’08 Hi, I have 2 of these “Victoria Falls, vegetable ivory(Nut of the Hyphaene palm) and teak, stud tray c1910” they were for his collar studs and cuff links. As I lived in Zambia, Rhodesia/Zimbabwe and now in South Africa these are the only ones I have ever seen. cheers Garth *ps I have photos if you wish to see them?