Various Assemblages: February 2018
New York City, February 15, 2018 – The International Museum of Stereoscopic Art is delighted to present "Tom Prosser's America: 3-D Views of the 19th Century," an exhibition showcasing over 300 stereoviews from the extensive collection of Tom Prosser, a renowned collector of these unique 3-D photographs. The exhibition, which runs from February 15 to June 30, 2018, offers visitors a captivating journey through the historical events, landscapes, and everyday life of the 19th century.
Stereoviews, a popular form of photographic entertainment in the 1800s, provide a sense of depth and realism that was unparalleled during that time. By viewing these images through a stereoscope, viewers could immerse themselves in detailed and lifelike scenes, from the California Gold Rush to the construction of the transcontinental railroad.
Tom Prosser's collection spans from the invention of stereoviews to classic vintage examples, and includes over 20,000 stereoviews, viewers, reference books, and other 3-D items. Prosser, who acquired his first stereoview—a picture of the sinking of the U.S.S. Maine in 1898—has been dedicated to preserving and sharing these historical treasures.
The exhibition features stereoviews of famous personalities, such as Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant, and Buffalo Bill Cody. Visitors can also see images of historical events, such as Ulysses Grant talking to generals, Custer with the 7th Cavalry, and the White House being guarded by a Negro regiment. Some stereoviews in the collection are from specific events, such as the Wheeler Expedition of 1873 and the 1896 World's Fair.
Admission to the exhibition is free, but donations are encouraged to support the museum and its ongoing efforts to preserve and share the history of stereoscopic art. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
The exhibition is accompanied by a catalog, which is available for purchase at the museum's gift shop. The catalog includes essays by experts in the field of stereoscopic photography and detailed descriptions of the stereoviews on display.
Tom Prosser invites stereoview enthusiasts to reach out and share stories or make trades by emailing him at [email protected]. For those unable to visit the exhibition in person, the collection offers a unique opportunity to explore the early development of photography and the popular visual media that shaped public perceptions in the 19th century.
The International Museum of Stereoscopic Art is located at 116 East 25th Street, New York, NY 10010. For more detailed information about Tom Prosser's particular collection or its specific historical impact, it may require access to specialized photographic archives, museums, or publications dedicated to stereoscopic photography history.
In the past, viewing stereoviews through a stereoscope offered viewers an immersive experience into detailed and lifelike scenes of the 19th century, encapsulating aspects of lifestyle and historical events. Today, Tom Prosser, a dedicated collector, invites enthusiasts to delve into and potentially exchange stories or items via email, providing a digital means to appreciate the early development of technology and its influence on 19th-century visual media.
