An antique tabletop stereoscope by Gaumont & Cie of Paris, dating to around 1920. Metal construction with original crackled brown paint to the outside, internally fitted with a slide change mechanism operated by a circular handle to the side (rotating clockwise to bring a slide into view, and counterclockwise to advance the mechanism). The other control lever is for precise focusing adjustment. The instrument is complete with three Bakelite slide carriages, embossed ‘Stereoscope Classeur, SGDG, L Gaumont & Cie, Ingenieurs Constucteurs, Paris’ , each with capacity for 20 slides. This particular example is accompanied by seventeen somewhat risqué glass stereopositives, also dating to the 1920s. Slides 6cm x 13cm. Instrument 34cm high.

gaumont of paris, tabletop stereoscope