Color views originated with tinted (hand-colored) cards around 1855 although there are geometric drawings views around from earlier which are sometimes hand-tinted. They are probably the most interesting and rewarding to collect as they illustrate vividly English middle- and upper-class life in the mid-nineteenth century from a much less contrived perspective than the 'formal' portrait photograph. Being expensive (around 20 times the price of a loaf of bread) they were aimed at the middle and upper classes and therefore reflect their life, aspirations, fears and prejudices. Poverty is rarely shown and, when it is, is almost always accompanied by a strong moral reasoning (usually alcohol, gambling or being of an 'inferior race'), or is set in an historical context (biblical). Many views were direct lifts from paintings of the period. Humor often makes fun of the rustic or the Irish (or both together!). Children are, with a few notable exceptions, shown in idyllic settings whereas the vast majority at this time were living in abject poverty, working in appalling conditions from a very early age, and had a life expectancy of under 30 years. They should therefore be considered as aimed for and illustrating a very narrow stratum of society indeed.
Most of the views illustrated here date from between 1855 and 1865. If you want more information on a particular view please email. Many later (curved mount) color views can be found on the pages to which they relate. No two views are ever exactly the same and we have illustrated some views with no difference except the personal taste of the colorists.
Scans of these do not, sometimes, do justice to the actual view as individual details tinted on each image are intended to come together when viewed. This saved time when tinting as work did not have to be repeated on each view. It does make some look crude when freeviewing. We are always happy to take back any views that do not come up to expectations.
A few are German, very rarely US originating views are seen but these can be identified with practice as the tints are different. The French were, of course, involved through the Gaudin brothers (working in London due to civil service conflict of interest issues) and others. Quality is very subjective on color views as some were quite crudely printed to start with. In general views are somewhat better than scans.
Many of the English views are of superb quality and are becoming the area of greatest increase in value of all stereoviews. When you take into account the fact that many of these were produced before 1860 and that each view was individually and painstakingly tinted by hand using up to 80 colors, it is not surprising that they are rising quickly in price. Some of the people who worked on these views were miniaturist artists who had been left with no work due to the advent of photography. A good area to collect and invest!
Grading is a little more difficult on these as, not only were they photographed, but they were then tinted with watercolor paints which have sometimes flaked in places over the years. Any major flaking will be mentioned but expect the odd slight loss which is normal. I suppose the color on these would restore excellently with skill and the correct tints.
There is some sort of vague order to these pages - for instance we have started with views relating to churches and weddings etc.. Well worth running thru the four pages though.
Size
difference is due to scanner settings as are the white or yellow marks
in the corners.
The
Wedding Day was the single most important day of a woman's life and, in
Victorian times at least, the achievement of the main purpose of her existance.
A 'good marriage' could spell the difference between a comfort with servants
to do the manual work - and a life of pauperism ending in the workhouse.
No social security or pensions in those days! There are endless variations
on the preparation for the wedding, the actual day, and the aftermath.
All these views are different.
Gebhardt Rottman. 'The Toilet'.
Plus verse.
Condition 9.
Order #2101.
Price $22.
Untitled.
Condition 7.
Order #2102.
Price $8.
James Elliott. Untitled.
Condition 8/9.
Order #2103.
Price $18.
James Elliott. Untitled version
of 'Bride'. Blindstamp and 'second proof' blindstamp.
Condition 8.
Order #2105.
Price $15.
Untitled version of Elliott's
'Bride'.
Condition 7.
Order #2106.
Price $12.
Untitled version of Elliott's
'Bride'.
Condition. Excellent view,
very slight loss at bottom left corner of right image.
Order #2107.
Price $18.
James Elliott 'Bride'. Label,
blindstamp and 'second proof' blindstamp.
Condition. Mount slightly
chewed at top right and slight scuffing on right image.
Order #2108.
Price $12.
A. Silvester blindstamp. Untitled.
Seller's label for J.M. Neweland's Liverpool Stereoscopic Depot and Fine
Art Repository, 21 South John Street, a few doors from Lord Street.
Condition. White marks at
bottom of right image are losses.
Order #2109.
Price $12.
Mark Anthony (Marc-Antoine
Gaudin). 'Going to be Married'.
Condition. Slight deposit
and stain on right image.
Order #2111.
Price $15.
The next
group are of the wedding ceremony. Probably the most popualar Victorian
stereoview. Although it is not rare, most versions are lovely quality.
We have included a large number of similar poses so that you can see the
way individual artists put their own mark on the view they were coloring.
Unitled version of 'Wedding'.
Condition. Slight mount crease/split
top right of mount.
Order #2112.
Price $12.
London Stereoscopic blindstamp.
Same people as above but different pose.
Condition 8/9
Order #2113.
Price $22.
James Elliott blindstamp. Same
pose as above but note the very different tinting.
Condition. Excellent and very
clear version.
Order #2114.
Price $22.
James Elliott blindstamp. Unitled
version of 'Wedding'. All kneeling.
Condition. Excellent and very
clear version.
Order #2115.
Price $22.
James Elliott blindstamp. Unitled
and slightly different version of 'Wedding'.
Condition. Slight stain on
the back.
Order #2116.
Price $18.
James Elliott blindstamp 'Wedding'.
All kneeling.
Condition 8.
Order #2117.
Price $18.
James Elliott blindstamp 'Wedding'.
All standing.
Condition. White spot in arch
on left image is loss. Otherwise 8/9.
Order #2118.
Price $18.
No blindstamp but by Elliott.
Condition 8/9.
Order #2119.
Price $18.
James Elliott blindstamp.
Condition 8/9.
Order #2120.
Price $18.
'James Elliott' 'Wedding'.
Condition 8.
Order #2121.
Price $18.
'J. Elliott' written on the
back. Untitled.
Condition 8.
Order #2122.
Price $18.
Untitled.
Condition. Slight loss on
on pillar on right image.
Order #2123.
Price $15.
James Elliott. Untitled. Label,
blindstamp and 'second proof' blindstamp.
Condition 7.
Order #2124.
Price $12.
Untitled.
Condition. Slight stain on
left image.
Order #2125.
Price $15.
'The Wedding. Copyright'.
Condition 7.
Order #2126.
Price $12.
'The Wedding'.
Condition 8.
Order #2127.
Price $18.
Pink label 'The Bride'.
Condition 8/9
Order #2128.
Price $18.
Untitled.
Condition 8.
Order #2129.
Price $15.
'Broken vows'. J. Elliott blindstamp.
Condition. Small scrape (white
line) across the center.
Order #2130.
Price $12.
'The wedding'.
Condition 7.
Order #2131.
Price $15.
'The wedding'.
Condition 7/8.
Order #2132.
Price $15.
'The happiest day of my life'.
Condition 7/8.
Order #2133.
Price $18.
Elliott blindstamp. 'The happiest
day of my life'.
Condition 8/9.
Order #2134.
Price $18.
James Elliott blindstamp. 'The
Wedding Breakfast'.
Condition 7/8.
Order #2135.
Price $15.
James Elliott and Second Proof
blindstamps. 'The Wedding Breakfast'. Same characters as previous view
but reposed.
Condition 7 (better than scan).
Order #2136.
Price $12.
James Elliott blindstamp. 'The
Wedding Breakfast'. Same pose as above with different tinting.
Condition. Slight loss at
top right of right image (white mark).
Order #2137.
Price $12.
James Elliott 'The Wedding
Breakfast'. Reposed again.
Condition 9.
Order #2138.
Price $18.
James Elliott blindstamp. Reposed
again.
Condition 8/9.
Order #2139.
Price $18.
James Elliott blindstamp. This
is the only one where the girl in the foreground is facing the camera.
Condition 9.
Order #2140.
Price $22.
Arthur Silvester 'The Honeymoon'.
Poem by Carrington.
Condition 7.
Order #2141.
Price $15.
'Five weeks after marriage
- that nasty disgusting pipe'. James Elliott with London Stereoscopic blindstamp.
Condition 9/10.
Order #2142.
Price $22.
Untitled baptism scene.
Condition. Small white mark
near pink dress on right image is loss.
Order #2143.
Price $12.
London Stereoscopic blindstamp.
Untitled baptism scene.
Condition 9.
Order #2144.
Price $22.
Untitled baptism scene.
Condition 8.
Order #2145.
Price $18.
'The Christening'.
Condition 8/9.
Order #2146.
Price $22.
Untitled baptism scene.
Condition 8/9.
Order #2147.
Price $18.
Untitled baptism scene.
Condition 7/8 (grubby mount).
Order #2148.
Price $15.
London Stereoscopic blindstamp.
Untitled.
Condition 7 but right bottom
edge of left image curled up.
Order #2149.
Price $12.
'Reception and Profession of
a Sister of Mercy'. Long descriptive text.
Condition 8.
Order #2150.
Price $18.
'Reception and Profession of
a Sister of Mercy'. Long descriptive text.
Condition. Mount split thru
center.
Order #2151.
Price $8.
Untitled confessional scene.
Condition 8.
Order #2152.
Price $15.
'Confession as it may be'.
Condition 9.
Order #2153.
Price $22.
Untitled, but I have had another
version simply titled 'The Nun'.
Condition. Has an early family
view glued to the back.
Order #2154.
Price $12.
'Bright eyes disturbs devotion'.
Condition. Some slight losses
of tinting.
Order #2156.
Price $15.
'The Little Pilgrim'.
Condition. Slight stain on
green tunic on left image.
Order #2157.
Price $18.
'Mamma Dear, what do they play
the organ so loud for when Church is over - Is it to wake us up?'
Condition. Mount split thru
center, not affecting images. White mark on dress on left image.
Order #2158.
Price $12.
'The convenience of married
life'.
Condition 7.
Order #2160.
Price $15.
'The convenience of married
life'.
Condition. Small brown piece
of paper stuck to right image.
Order #2161.
Price $12.
'A stitch in time saves nine'.
Condition 9 (tiny image faults).
Order #2162.
Price $22.
'Winning the gloves'.
Condition 8.
Order #2163.
Price $18.
'After a storm cometh a calm'.
Condition. Images 9 but damage
to label.
Order #2164.
Price $18.
'After a storm cometh a calm'.
Condition 9/10.
Order #2165.
Price $22.
'The Irish Jig'.
Condition. Very slight loss
and stain.
Order #2166.
Price $18.
'Barney's Blarney'.
Condition. I have removed
the lump of sweet (toffee for those interested - and very nice it was too)
that you can see stuck to the left image. It has left a very slight mark.
Order #2167.
Price $15.
'Match Making'. Slightly dopey-looking
man paying court to ugly woman while three (?woman's brothers) look on.
Much prettier but rejected woman watches sadly in background.
Condition 8.
Order #2168.
Price $18.
'Match Making'.
Condition. Slight damage at
top of left image.
Order #2169.
Price $12.
'Looking down upon his luck'.
Condition 8.
Order #2170.
Price $15.
'Family Jars'.
Condition 9.
Order #2171.
Price $22.
'A present to an old bachelor'.
Condition 8.
Order #2173.
Price $18.
'The birth of an heir'. Published
by J. Ward, 125 Washington Street, Boston.
Condition 9.
Order #2174.
Price $22.
'The image of its father'.
Condition 7.
Order #2175.
Price $12.
'Our first'.
Condition 8 but trimmed at
sides.
Order #2176.
Price $15.
'Three o'clock in the morning'.
Man trying to feed doll - as are the following views.
Condition 8.
Order #2177.
Price $15.
'Three o'clock in the morning'.
Different tinting.
Condition 8.
Order #2178.
Price $18.
'Three o'clock in the morning'
missing its label.
Condition 6.
Order #2179.
Price $5.
'Three o'clock in the morning'
missing its label.
Condition 8.
Order #2180.
Price $18.
'Dance a baby diddy', with
label missing. London Stereoscopic blindstamp.
Condition 7.
Order #2181.
Price $12.
Untitled.
Condition. Slight fault on
left image.
Order #2182.
Price $8.
'The Young Photographer'. Sold
by J. Ward & Son, Looking Glasses, Picture Frames, Photographs, Stereoscopes
and Views, 125 Washington Street, Boston.
Condition 9.
Order #2183.
Price $25.
'A Morning Call'.
Condition 9.
Order #2184.
Price $18.
'The Modern Confessional'.
Condition 8.
Order #2185.
Price $18.
'Morning Prayers'.
Condition 8/9.
Order #2186.
Price $18.
'Feeding the goat'.
Condition 7.
Order #2187.
Price $12.
Untitled Little Red Riding
Hood. Note wolf peering out of window.
Condition 7.
Order #2188.
Price $12.
'Little Red Riding Hood'.
Condition. Slight fault on
face on left image which views out.
Order #2189.
Price $18.
'Little Red Riding Hood'. Plus
text.
Condition. Moderate split
thru center slightly affecting edges of images.
Order #2190.
Price $10.
Part remaining of 'Little Red
Riding Hood' label.
Condition 6.
Order #2191.
Price $8.
'Little Red Riding Hood'.
Condition. Red paint loss
on left image.
Order #2192.
Price $12.
Rare untitled view.
Condition. Slight crease left
image - not viewable.
Order #2193.
Price $35.
A faded version but this has
the title - 'Melody'.
Condition. Fading.
Order #2194.
Price $8.
'Hoop de dooden do'.
Condition 9.
Order #2195.
Price $75.
'Hoop de dooden do'. London
Stereoscopic blindstamp.
Condition. Some marks.
Order #2196.
Price $22.
'Little Mischief'. Negretti
& Zambra backstamp.
Condition. Split thru center
not affecting images.
Order #2197.
Price $10.
'Neglected Genius'.
Condition. A bit smudged on
the face on right image. Mount surface loss.
Order #2198.
Price $8.
'The Sick Doll'.
Condition 9.
Order #2199.
Price $22.
'The Sick Doll'. A totally
different approach on this version, not just different tinting. Baby has
been removed (potty time??) and a new girl brought in to sit in chair'
Everybody else rearranged.
Condition 9.
Order #2200.
Price $25.
'Brushing Papa's New Hat'.
Condition 9.
Order #2201.
Price $22.
'The Attack'.
Condition. Slight rippling
on left image.
Order #2202.
Price $18.
'The Attack'.
Condition 9.
Order #2203.
Price $22.
Untitled.
Condition 9.
Order #2204.
Price $22.
'Gee up! W-h-a-y'.
Condition 9.
Order #2206.
Price $22.
'Cock Robin and Jenny Wren'.
Condition 8.
Order #2207.
Price $18.
'Cock Robin and Jenny Wren'.
Condition 8/9.
Order #2208.
Price $22.
Nice untitled study.
Condition 9.
Order #2209.
Price $22.
'The Cup of Tea'.
Condition 9.
Order #2210.
Price $22.
Union View Co., Rochester,
N.Y. 'Playing With Building Blocks'.
Condition. Light surface scratch
on right image.
Order #2211.
Price $15.
F.G. Weller, Littleton N.H.
'Washing Day. No 328'.
Condition 8.
Order #2212.
Price $18.
F.G. Weller, Littleton N.H.
'Don't like his pants. No 391'.
Condition 8.
Order #2213.
Price $18.
Next
a few 'illusion' views which come together with much squinting. Difficult
to date - I thought around 1890/1900 by the look of the dress but others
think earlier. Probably German.
Untitled.
Condition. Slight crease at
left.
Order #2215.
Price $18.
Untitled.
Condition 8.
Order #2216.
Price $22.
Untitled.
Condition. Slight creases
at bottom.
Order #2217.
Price $18.
