Gezicht op de Royal Exchange te Londen c. 1850 - 1880

Valentine Blanchard created this stereograph of the Royal Exchange in London. Stereographs like this one were a popular form of entertainment in the 19th century. When viewed through a stereoscope, the two nearly identical images combine to create a single three-dimensional picture. This photograph offers a glimpse into Victorian London, a global hub of commerce and colonial power. Consider the social stratification of the time; the bustling street scene likely includes merchants and financiers but obscures the labor and exploitation that fueled the city’s wealth. The Royal Exchange itself, with its neo-classical architecture, symbolizes the power and aspiration of the British Empire. Blanchard’s choice to capture this location speaks to the era’s fascination with progress and trade, yet it also subtly acknowledges the complex social dynamics that defined London. This stereograph serves as a poignant reminder of how photography can both reveal and conceal the intricacies of history.