[Group of 5 Stereograph Views of Westminster Abbey, London, England] 1850 - 1919

These stereograph views of Westminster Abbey in London were produced by the European and American Views company using albumen prints mounted on card stock. The double image, when viewed through a stereoscope, creates a compelling illusion of three-dimensionality. This was a popular form of entertainment in the mid-19th century, driven by the burgeoning technologies of photography and mass production. Photography, though relatively new, was quickly industrialized and commercialized. Albumen printing involved coating paper with egg whites and silver nitrate, a labor-intensive process. The mounted card provided durability and a surface for branding, reflecting the commercial nature of these images. The stereograph was not just an aesthetic object, it was a commodity. Sold and distributed widely, it brought distant places and grand architecture, like Westminster Abbey, into middle-class homes. This speaks volumes about the democratization of visual culture during the Industrial Revolution, and how new technologies transformed both artistic expression and leisure activities.