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Keystone stereocard collection, approximately 1898-1920

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Keystone View Company
Title
Keystone stereocard collection
Dates
approximately 1898-1920 (inclusive)
Quantity
389 stereocards (2 boxes) ; 7" x 3.5"
Collection Number
PH0372
Summary
Photographs of locations around the world with the people Native to that area at home, working, or pursuing daily life in the early part of the 20th century
Repository
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu
Access Restrictions

The collection is open to the public.

Request at UW

Languages
English
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Historical Note

In 1892 the Keystone View Company was started in Meadville, Pennsylvania by B.L. Singley. The company's primary focus was to create a wide range of stereocards and by 1905 it was the largest stereographic company in the world. Keystone created and distributed millions of stereocards throughout the United States. In 1898 they organized an education department that produced boxed sets for school instruction. These sets included images and descriptive text illustrating culture, industry, commerce and politics world-wide. Stereocard sets were all marked by a letter. Customers could buy stereocards by the box. Boxes were shaped like books and contained 50, 100, or 200 stereocards. Though cinema took over as the most popular entertainment medium, the Keystone Company continued to produce stereocards until 1972 when it went out of business.

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Content Description

The stereocards depict views from across the globe, including the Australia, Burma, Canada, China, Fiji Islands, France, Guam, Jamaica, Java, Korea, Monaco, New Guinea, Palestine, Philippines, Russia, Syria, Switzerland, the USA, series of miscellaneous story cards depicting a wedding, a dream, and other topics.

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Use of the Collection

Alternative Forms Available

View selections from the collection in digital format

Restrictions on Use

Restrictions may exist on reproduction, quotation, or publication. Contact Special Collections, University of Washington Libraries for details.

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Administrative Information

Acquisition Information

Donor: Sarah Hood, May 2008 (seven stereocards of the hemp industry in Manila, Philippines).

Donor: Charles Hart, March 1, 2017 (two stereocards).

Processing Note

Processed by Aletheia Wittman, 2011; Erin Bailey 2012; Melody Hauf 2012; processing completed 2012.

Many of these stereocards were transferred from PH Collection 31 in the Repository in 2011.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

 

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Subject Terms

  • Visual Materials Collections (University of Washington)
  • Weddings--Photographs

Corporate Names

  • Keystone View Company--Archives

Geographical Names

  • Australia--Photographs
  • Burma--Photographs
  • Canada--Photographs
  • China--Photographs
  • Fiji--Photographs
  • Guam--Photographs
  • Jamaica--Photographs
  • Java (Indonesia)--Photographs
  • Korea--Photographs
  • Monaco--Photographs
  • New Guinea--Photographs
  • Palestine--Photographs
  • Philippines--Photographs
  • Russia--Photographs
  • Switzerland--Photographs
  • Syria--Photographs
  • United States--Photographs
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