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| oh, I know its not from the episode but I couldn't find the image I wanted and a group pictures always good |
During the episode a little device, a golden ball - not unlike the Snitch of Harry Potter fame - was used. It possessed a small hole through which one could look and see images otherwise too small to easily see magnified and thus become observable. It was named as the "Stanhope".
And so to google I go.
In a short amount of time I discover - without much research at all - that the term Stanhope can be linked to a noble family (which I think may well be worth researching since it includes Tudor links and from the looks of it an adventuress), a style of art, a printing press, a carriage and early form of automobile, a place (or rather, places), trains and a comedian.
But I also find what I seek: those strange little artifacts like those seen in the program.
They are, essentially as described above. The image-magnifying form first made in 1857 by Rene Dagron. The lens alone was invented pre-1816 by Charles, 3rd Earl Stanhope. Microphotography was developed in 1839 by John Benjamin Dancer who improved upon his work in 1852.
What is interesting is the range of forms they can take: charms, jewelry, details of pens and pocket knives, tape and rings (often the signet rings of men which contain some risque "artistic" image - put it this way, I doubt I'll look at the "respectable" "gentlemen" of Victorian-era period dramas in quite the same way again if I see them wearing a signet ring).
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| a rotating option of images is featured in this one |
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| That is an acorn shaped propelling pencil, with stanhope AND possibly was worn on a Chatelaine! |
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| A mother of pearl chatelaine perfume bottle with stanhope. |
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| One for Discworld Fans http://www.penpeep.com/artist-gallery-jewelry.html |
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| Oooh, very risqué for an age when showing an ankle or a bit of calf was considered enough to inflame the blood - and to think here are two full pairs of legs! There are other more revealing images featured in stanhopes... revealing may be the wrong word as in order to reveal there should surely be an attempt to conceal which is distinctly lacking in such images - but I'm not about to fill my blog up with that sort of thing. |
They often served as souvenirs, such as barrel shaped ones from Niagara Falls, or carrying pictures of places like Notre-Dame or Paris or London, photos of loved ones or political messages or images.
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| Because why have bone or ivory when you can go for gold? |
Apparently they are nowadays mainly used for religious items, which apparently do not offer the same views as those Victorian gentlemen might have been looking for, but prayers.
It is now that I remember some from when I was little. Coming full circle, back to my mention of Harry Potter, it was in Harry Potter memrobillia I first encountered them, though I didn't know their name. One was encased in orange-coloured plastic and contained a snipett of information on Gryffindor, I think, and the other was in the stand beneath a figurine of Fluffy, the three-headed dog, here depicted as a German Shepherd like breed, this latter rotating with several
The Wikipedia Article for your perusal can be found here:
The lens itself was also used as a magnifier for other items, rather than single images included within the device: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanhope_lens
They seem a little enthralling to me: like in Ripper Street, the idea of secret messages and images being conveyed in such a small form, often passing right under peoples noses without being noticed except by those with some awareness of them already is natural fuel for stories.
I must admit I marvel at things such as these. You don't get stuff like this all that often nowadays
pictures to follow
Other links:
http://kievkirby.com/?p=547
http://www.stanhopes.info/who_made_stanhopes.html
https://uk.pinterest.com/echarmony/vintage-charms-stanhope-viewers/
http://www.collectorsweekly.com/articles/secrets-of-the-worlds-tiniest-photographs/
Edited 2016.10.05 - removed some images
Layla,
ReplyDeleteYou have illegally used copyrighted photos that are the property of Stanhope MicroWorks. Please cease to use these independently owned images or risk prosecution.
Please contact info@stanhopemicroworks immediately to resolve this issue.
Stanhope MicroWorks,
DeleteI hope you appreciate that in this day and age of Google Images and Pinterest it can be very easy to save and share images with little thought as to origin and consequently no offense was intended by including the image/s here.
I believe I have removed the offending image/s, however given your message is very uninformative as to which image/s were creating a problem it is very hard to tell for certain.
If there is still a problem it would help in endeavors to remedy the situation if you would perhaps indicate which image/s, through either description or order on the page. This would save one from having to trawl through "Search Google for this Image" results to check the origin in a post that has been reverted to draft. What would also reinforce your ownership of such images would be some form of watermark - which might help prevent such usage by others in future.
I would add that in all honesty, the short, sharp tone of your message and the heavy-handed threat of prosecution knocked me for six - at least in part delaying my response to the problem.
A little courtesy costs nothing and goes a long way towards encouraging swift and willing compliance with ones wishes.
This is especially the case when dealing with someone demonstrating an interest in such niche items and attempting to share awareness of them with others - which in turn could help link back to the relevant site selling them.
I hope this situation has been satisfactorily remedied, and if not do point to the image/s causing issue: I would hate to share images and links from those who do not wish them to be shared.