A superb antique double-sided burr walnut tabletop 'sweetheart' stereoscope - so called because such viewers were fitted with a pair of viewing lenses to opposing sides to allow two people to use the instrument simultaneously - in Victorian parlance this being the man of the house and his sweetheart!

Dating to around 1860, beautifully figured and still with original French Polish, this impressive example stands 42cm high and is 26cm wide. Fitted with a stereo pair of eyepieces to each side, both with rack and pinion focusing, there is the additional option of substituting one pair of lenses with a concealed sliding ground glass screen, thus enabling the viewer to be used with the older tissue-type stereoviews which work best when held up to light. The carousel has capacity for up to 100 stereoviews, when mounted back-to-back.

Condition: This rare viewer survives in fine condition. The burr walnut veneer is simply beautiful, still protected by its original French Polish and with no apparent losses or damage, just very minor scuffs and a couple of small bubbles. All lenses are in good condition, free from chips, cracks and fungus. The turned wooden eye-caps are in excellent shape, with no chips or losses. The rack and pinion focusing operates correctly, with just a little slippage and 'encouragement' required upon closing. The carousel turns freely with only minor slippage, as is normal. The mirrors are in good condition, one with edge chips - possibly having been replaced. The ground glass screen is original and in excellent condition.