Every stereoview Victoria British collector will be happy to know that thanks to the new research, it is now possible for now some of the stereoscopic photos up to 1857.

1857 is an art treasure exhibition year in Manchester, with Philip Henry Deramotte, professor drawing at King’s College, London, and Photography artists, who were appointed as the manager of the Photography Department. Deramotte was given a special leave of three months from his duties at King’s College for that role.^1,2

Philip Henry Deramotte, 1856, Wellcome Collection 14934i

During the Manchester Art Treasures exhibition preview, Deramotte gave a private tour of the photography section to Prime Minister Lord Palmerston, which was fixed on a series of Oxford’s stereoscopic views. This was photographed the previous year by Deramotte and other photographers for tower and sons of the company.³

Oxford in a long vacation; From Tom Gate, Christ Church, OxfordBy Deramotte, 1856. Sequential stereo photos were photographed by members of the community. Modern stereo cards made by Denis Pellerin from the original negative at Weston Library Collection.

Palmerston pays attention to how many stereoscopic photos are partly spoiled by people who move between sequential shots used to make stereo couples. Deramotte explained how difficult it was to ask community members to stay while the left and right images were being photographed. Palmerston, after knowing the fate of the stereoscopic photographer at the time, promised Deramotte that he would find a way to help their efforts.⁴

Lord Palmerston, 1857.

In May 1857, thanks to Palmerston, a parliamentary action was passed granted a special permit for stereoscopic photographers and their assistants to work through tea time alarm in the UK for the rest of this year. Alarm when British tea first began in 1716 to encourage the tea industry that appeared and required everyone, except police and military, to stop what they did and drink tea. Anyone who was found did not obey the alarm, still to this day, fined, with repeated violators in prison.⁴

Manchester Art Treasures Exhibition. Stereoscopic photos showing the photographer’s assistant during the tea alarm, by Philip Henry Deramotte, 1857. Denis Pellerin Collection.

Manchester Art Treasures Exhibition, Transpt, looking north. Stereoscopic photos showing a police officer observed two photographer assistants during the tea alarm, by Philip Henry Deramotte, 1857. Upon the Guardian.

Exeter College, Oxford. Stereoscopic photos that show a quiet path during the tea alarm, by Philip Henry Deramotte, 1857. Denis Pellerin Collection.

At present, stereoscopic images taken during this period where the Stereo photographer is excluded can be identified by the lack of general public in the picture. As soon as the busy walk was captured in 3-D, quiet, but occasionally a photography assistant was added to the depth, while the public went to do the task of obeying the alarm during the tea, enjoying, at that time, national drinks.

Castle Hill, Lincoln. Stereoscopic photos show a quiet road during the tea alarm, by Elizabeth Higgins, 1857. Rebecca Sharpe Collection.

Victoria Street, London. Stereoscopic photos that show a quiet path during the tea alarm, by an unknown photographer, 1857. Rebecca Sharpe Collection.

West Port Gate, St. Andrew’s. Stereoscopic photos that show a quiet path during the tea alarm, by an unknown photographer, 1857. Rebecca Sharpe Collection.

Egyptian Room, British Museum. Stereoscopic photos showing a quiet British Museum during the tea alarm, by Roger Fenton, 1857. Rebecca Sharpe Collection.

So next time you look at your collection, maybe even during the tea alarm, see if you can see the stereo indications taken in 1857.

Welhsh Women Take Tea. Stereoscopic photos showing Welsh Women Observing Alarm Time Tea, by an unknown photographer, 1857. Rebecca Sharpe Collection.

The stereoscopic blog wants to wish a happy April MOP to be very happy readers, and take this opportunity to apologize for the silliness contained in this post. Enjoy the rest of your day, and enjoy a cup of delicious tea during English alarm.

Copyright © The Stereoscopy Blog. All rights are protected by law.

1. Rebecca Sharpe, ‘Main Family, King’s College, and The Photographic Society of London’ Phothistorian, 200, winter 2024, P20.
2. Journal of Photography CommunityVol. 3, No. 50, January 21, 1857, P191.
3. Denis Pellerin, ‘Stereos Oxford assigned from Spiers and Son’ Classic platformNovember 2020
4. ‘Opening of the Biggest Art Exhibition in England’ GuardianJuly 14, 1857, P16
5. ‘1850-1859’ legislation.gov.uk

• History and research
• Stereoviews