The 'Taxiphote', developed by Jules Richard of Paris in 1899, was one of the most sophisticated stereoscopic viewers of its time. Prior to its launch tabletop stereoscopes relied on a simple rotating carousel, but the Taxiphote deployed a much more advanced mechanism with a lever to the right hand side for advancing the glass slides, and another to the left for revealing the annotation. The Bakelite carriers each had capacity for 25 slides, this particular model also incorporating a cabinet with storage trays for up to twelve carriers. The twin eyepieces had controls for eyepiece separation and for focusing. There was a counter to the side and a thumbwheel for advancing and retracting the slide carrier.

This example is supplied in perfect working order and complete with eight of the Bakelite slide carriers housing 92 slides. These depict a French family's European travels between 1912 and 1914 - the years leading up to the outbreak World War 1 - with many views of Switzerland (mountains, buildings, people, street scenes, transport, glaciers etc) and France, notably Reims.

The stereoscope measures 49cm x 28cm x 28cm and the slides are in the standard Jules Richard 'Verascope' format, 45mm x 108mm.

Condition: The instrument survives in excellent condition, the woodwork is still protected by its original French Polish which still retains good colour and shine with just a little fading and a single shrinkage split to the veneer to the uppermost surface (visible in 7th image). The brass and steel components are all in good order with light surface tarnishing. The internal mechanism is in excellent condition and in full working order. The glass slides are all good with excellent subject matter, a couple with minor edge chips. The Bakelite slide carriers are all in excellent condition.