A Rare Negretti & Zambra "Magic Stereoscope"

c. mid-1850s, Stereoscope for 9x18cm glass plates, in excellent condition with no missing parts, maker's plaque on top: 'Magic Stereoscope, No.180 by Royal Letters Patent, Negretti & Zambra, 59 Cornhill, London' with fully adjustable brass column and turned Walnut base

The Magic Stereoscope was the most prestigous viewer in the Negretti & Zambra range of stereoscopes, having two seperate positions for the stereograph and no fewer than four pairs of lenses. This is a rare leather covered example and only the third example in this finish to come to market in the last 25 years.

Reference: Paul Wing, Stereoscopes. The First One Hundred Years, p. 28-29