Edinburgh Stereoscopic Company

Reply

Del Philips

The message below was sent in response to a question by Del Philips at a web site dealing with stereo views ***

Replies

1. Possible connection with Moffat

2. Edinburgh and New York

3. 1850s

The respondent wrote

"Information about the Edinburgh Stereographic Company is scarce. I do know that they had offices in Edinburgh, and for a short time in New York, between 1850 and 1860. Views are scarce.

There may have been a connection with J.C. Moffat at 19 Princes Street, Edinburgh, as at least one view has been reported with the ESC blindstamp and credit to Moffat."

*** I have looked again to try to discover where this message was posted, but have not found it.

I think it was probably posted on the John Saddy & Jefferson Stereoptics Auctions web site in London, Ontario, Canada, and subsequently removed from that site.

Peter Stubbs: December 8, 2010

Reply

Peter Blair

Reigate, Surrey, England

Peter Blair wrote:

Question

"I collect stereo views of Scotland and the Alps. I have a few published by the Edinburgh Stereographic Company.

Do you know anything about this company?"

Peter Blair, Reigate, Surrey, England: November 27, 2010

Peter added:

Lennie

"I get the impression that Edinburgh Stereographic Company was a publisher, rather than a photographer.

Some views seem similar to early Lennie in style and in the card that was used.

Maybe it was a name Lennie used for a while."

Please click on the thumbnail image above to see some stereo views by Lennie.

Wilson

"I've also seen some views that people claim are early GW Wilson views with ESC label, with Scots poetry on the back, eg 'Lady of the Lake'."

Peter Blair, Reigate, Surrey, England: November 28, 2010

Please email me if you have any more information about this company, then I'll pass on your message to Peter Blair.

Thank you. Peter Stubbs, December 4, 2010

Reply

Peter Blair

Reigate, Surrey, England

Blind Stamp

Thank you to Peter Blair for sending further information about stereo views in his collection which have an 'Edinburgh Stereographic Company' blind stamp.

Below are Peter's comments on some of his stereo views:

(a)

Commissioner's Procession - 1858

"I have a copy of this stereo view of the Commissioners' Procession in the Royal Mile in 1858. My copy has no title, but has an 'Edinburgh Stereographic Company' blind stamp in the lower left corner.

Another Copy of this Stereo View

"The same photo appears on the EdinPhoto web site, described as a 'stereo view by an unidentified photographer'."

This 'photo by the unidentified photographer' above has no blind stamp or printed photographer's name. However it has the following details but it does have the following details:

WRITTEN IN INK ON THE FRONT:

Lord High Commissioner's Procession 1858

PRINTED ON THE BACK

Procession of His Grace, the Lord High Commissioner
24th May 1858

(b)

Burns' Monument, Old Town and Arthur's Seat

"This is No 22 in the 'Edinburgh and its Environs in the Stereoscope' series. This does not have a 'Edinburgh Stereographic Company' blind stamp."

(c)

Edinburgh from Nelson's Monument

"This is No 28 in the 'Edinburgh and its Environs in the Stereoscope' series. This has an 'Edinburgh Stereographic Company' blind stamp."

(d)

Other Views of Scotland

"Additionally, I have two views of Loch Katrine with 'Edinburgh Stereographic Company' blind stamps: and blue labels with verses from 'Scott's Lady of the Lake'.

These views and labels are commonly ascribed to GW Wilson.

This suggests to me that 'Edinburgh Stereographic Company' might have been a retailer rather than a photographer (or both).

Peter Blair, near London, England: December 5, 2010

Reply

Richard Buck

Pleasant Ridge, Michigan, USA

Richard Buck wrote:

Question

Who was Edinburgh Stereoscopic Company?

"I'm still seeking information about Edinburgh Stereographic Company. My interest is not casual: I have acquired 17 of the company's stereographs over several years, for two reasons -good photography and the ever-present unknown about its identity.

I've been all over the internet, to no avail. I wrote letters to two public institutions in Edinburgh and have asked others knowledgeable about stereo views. It is as though ESC never existed, which is not true."

Richard Buck, Pleasant Ridge, Michigan, USA: March 7, 2011

Reply to Richard?

If you know anything about the Edinburgh Stereoscopic Company, please email me, then I'll pass on your message to Richard.

Thank you.

Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh: March 7, 2011

Reply

Richard Buck

Pleasant Ridge, Michigan, USA

Richard Buck wrote again telling me that he has still not been able to discover any more details about the Edinburgh Stereoscopic Co.

Richard wrote:

Question

Who was Edinburgh Stereoscopic Company?

"I'm not wanting to be hasty, but I'm moving toward a conclusion that no one knows anything more about the Edinburgh Stereoscopic Company.

From the few bits and pieces that I've learnt so far, my opinion currently says the company was a publisher or purveyor of views taken by independent contractors, or photographers commissioned to go out and about, or photographers who walked through the door."

Richard Buck, Pleasant Ridge, Michigan, USA: March 18, 2011

Reply to Richard?

It would be good if somebody could surprise Richard by coming up with some information about this company to pass on to him. I've put out a request to one more researcher to see if he can come up with anything.

Meanwhile, if you know anything about this company, please email me, then I'll pass on your message to Richard.

Thank you.

Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh: March 18, 2011

Reply

Diane Gorham

Thank you to Diane Gorham who wrote

Offices on Broadway

"I see you are looking for information regarding the Edinburgh Stereographic Co.

I sell stereoviews on eBay and I am listing one of New York City by the Edinburgh Stereographic Co. According to the blindstamp they had an office on Broadway. I estimate this view was taken in the mid-1860's."

Diane Gorham: July 15, 2012

Reply

Richard Buck

Pleasant Ridge, Michigan, USA

Thank you to Richard Buck for writing again with more information and his latest thoughts about stereo views produced by Edinburgh Stereographic Company

Richard wrote:

"I recently obtained these 3 stereo views, by Edinburgh Stereographic Company."

Stereo View

"Blindstamp 'Edinburgh Stereoscopic Com, 337 Broadway. N.Y.' in left front margin.

Moderately decent tint titled verso in period ink handwriting 'American Rapids--Niagara Falls' on thicker yellow flat mount."

Stereo View

"Blindstamp 'Edinburgh Stereoscopic Com, 337 Broadway, N.Y.' in right front margin.

Street scene showing a horse-drawn streetcar lettered 'City Hall, Bowery, 3 Av.'

Images good--very good on yellow mount severely creased vertically in the middle front and back (noticeable but not fatal crinkling in images close to crease).

Titled verso in period ink handwriting "Astor House " (hand different from "American Rapids" in No.1 immediately above."

Stereo View

"Blindstamp 'Edinburgh Stereoscopic Company' in left front margin.

Paper label verso at one end reading "Edinburgh and Its Environs, Holyrood Palace No 18,

J. Moffat, Photographer 19 Princes St Edinburgh" on light brown mount.

My research pretty firmly establishes that Moffat was at No. 19 for some of 1857, all of 1858, and some of 1859. This view seemingly validates the comment in Reply 1 above.

My gut also keeps saying Lennie might figure somewhere in the equation, per Peter Blair in Reply 2 above."

Richard Buck, Pleasant Ridge, Michigan, USA: July 29, 2011

Reply

Alex Sinclair

Dunblane, Stirlingshire, Scotland

Thank you to Alex Sinclair who wrote:

Edinburgh Stereographic Company

Alexander McGlashan

"I've obtained from America two Alexander McGlashan stereo views. They are entitled:

- 'Martyrs' Monument, (Greyfriars)' and

- 'Edinburgh (New Town)'.

These are in the usual McGlashon format - yellow card with pink 'McGlashon's Scottish Stereographs' label on the rear.

However in each case the right hand margin has the impressed Edinburgh Stereographic Co stamp, with the 337 Broadway N Y address.

It seems to me that this company must have been some sort of retail agency or outlet for Scottish views

Alex Sinclair, Dunblane, Stirlingshire, Scotland: November 5, 2014