Take a close up look at a stereographoscope at Portland's 3D Center of Art and Photography.
Treasures: November 2010
Cool items on display include a forerunner to the View–Master and an historic coin press.
IF YOU'RE GOING...
Magic eyes
In the 19th century, stereograph cards were all the rage. Hundreds of millions were in circulation, each bearing two slightly different photos side by side. When seen through a parlor stereographoscope like this one, the pair appeared as a single three-dimensional image. See original cards and exhibits of contemporary three-dimensional art at the 3D Center of Art and Photography in Portland. (503) 227-6667, 3dcenter.us.
A coin press in mint condition
It struck its first silver dollar in 1870 at the U.S. Mint in Carson City, Nev., and later turned out millions of coins at the Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Denver mints. Returned to Carson City in 1967, Coin Press No. 1 now strikes medallions at the Nevada State Museum on the last Friday of every month, 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Entry is $8. (775) 687-4810, museums.nevadaculture.org.
Photography by Don Frank
This article was first published in December 2010. Some facts may have aged gracelessly. Please call ahead to verify information.
