Stereoscope [Rayner London]
Maker and role
Rayner London, Manufacturer
Production date
1940
See full details
Object detail
Accession number
2018.57
Maker
Secondary maker and role
Kodak Limited: Manufacturer
Kodak Limited: Manufacturer
Kodak Limited: Manufacturer
Production period
Description
Stereoscope. Stereoscopic viewer manufactured by Rayner of London in 1940 for viewing aerial photographs in 3D. The three-dimensional effect is achieved by lining up two identical photographs of a subject in the correct place under each lens. This gives much greater detail, particularly useful for viewing terrain. This object was manufactured for British military use, and it is portable.
The stereoscope is stored in a custom-made storage box. It houses Parts 2 - 7 & 11. It contains two stereoscopes in one – a mirror stereoscope and a binocular stereoscope. The binoculars are missing.
Part 1: Storage Box. Wooden, painted grey with metal corners. It has a handle at the front made from metal and leather. There is text stamped into the top edge of the handle which reads “[…] No 26646 MADE […]” There is also the word “DURA” on the inside of the handle. There is a keyring attached to the handle with a small key with “CHENEY” on one side, and a green fob which reads “Safety Deposit Case”. There are two metal clasps on either side of the box with key holes and a push release mechanism. There is a rectangular black metal maker’s plate on the top of the box in the centre with white text which reads “STEREOSCOPE UNIVERSAL / W.D.No.B.2135 1940 / RAYNER / LONDON”. There is a painted white broad arrow on the front, indication that this object was manufactured for military use.
The box is hinged at the back and has a piece of fabric secured inside on the left to prevent it from falling too far back. Inside the box there are printed instructions with diagrams on paper pasted inside the lid. “INSTRUCTIONS FOR SETTING VERTICAL PHOTOGRAPHS. / 1. IN THE MIRROR STEREOSCOPE. […] 2. IN THE BINOCULAR STEREOSCOPE. […]”. The box has compartments which have been made to fit each item [Parts 3-7, 11] snugly with padding. At the base of the lid is a white label with black text which reads “DONATED BY LAND INFORMATION NEW ZEALAND”.
Part 2: Base. Varnished wooden board with curved edges - base for mounting the stereoscopic viewer. In the centre at the back is a black and silver-coloured metal piece which connects the viewer stand [Part 4] to the base.
Part 3: Mirror Stereoscope. Stored on the left side of the box. It is black covered metal, composed of a frame with two eye holes in the centre and two mirrors on either side. These mirrors taper in towards the centre of the viewer. At the bottom are two cylindrical plugs which connect to the stand. There is a threaded hole in the centre with a broad arrow.
Part 4: Stand. Stored at the rear of the box. It is a black metal rectangular piece with a wider end at the top and two adjustment knobs. There are two brackets with two screws at the top end. Above the top adjustment knob is white text “STEREOSCOPE UNIVERSAL / W. D. No. B. 2135”. Above the second knob is “RAYNER / LONDON / [broad arrow]”.
Part 5: Binoculars Clamp. Stored in the small box at the right corner of the box. This is a small black item with a metal hook at the top and a screw thread underneath. There are two metal plugs on either side to connect to the stand.
Part 6: Binocular Lens. Stored inside the large box at the front. Black metal and with glass lenses. Engraved on the side of the cylinder is “12” FOCUS LENS No B2695 / KODAK LTD LONDON 1940 / [broad arrow].” On one end the lens has a base with three screws which would connect to the binoculars.
Part 7: Binocular Lens. Stored inside the large box at the front. Black metal and with glass lenses. Engraved on the side of the cylinder is “12” FOCUS LENS No B2695A / KODAK LTD LONDON 1940 / [broad arrow].” On one end the lens has a base with three screws which would connect to the binoculars.
Part 8: Aerial Photograph showing a mountainous terrain and coastline. The photograph number is shown in the bottom left corner, “03843”. Text running along the bottom of the image reads “T/3843 WAIPU AREA 18. 7. 42 1015 10400 F 5 RUN 6”. On the back of the image are two stamps in dark blue which read “NOT FOR SALE / FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY”. Handwritten upside-down in fountain pen is “6/42 / 42 / J/3843 / 18 7 32”.
Part 9: Aerial Photograph showing a mountainous terrain and coastline. The photograph number is shown in the bottom left corner, “03841”. “RUN 6” is written in white at the bottom of the image in the centre. On the back of the image is one stamp in dark blue which reads “NOT FOR SALE / FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY”. Underneath is a purple stamp which has been filled in using fountain pen, “6/40 / R.N.Z.A.F. PHOTO. / WHENUAPAI. / Serial No. J3841 / Date 17.7.42 / CROWN COPYRIGHT.” This photograph overlaps with Part 10.
Part 10: Aerial Photograph showing a mountainous terrain and coastline. The photograph number is shown in the bottom left corner, “03842”. “RUN 6” is written in white at the bottom of the image in the centre. On the back of the image is one stamp in dark blue which reads “NOT FOR SALE / FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY”. Underneath is a purple stamp which has been filled in using fountain pen, “6/41 / R.N.Z.A.F. PHOTO. / WHENUAPAI. / Serial No. J3842 / Date 17.7.42 / CROWN COPYRIGHT.” This photograph overlaps with Part 9.
Part 11: Small black piece of rubber. It is unclear whether this item is associated with the stereoscope.
Part 12: Envelope. A4 white envelope with a clear window. In the top left is “Land Information / Toitu te / whenua / New Zealand / Private Bag 5501, Wellington” and with a New Zealand silhouette logo. There is a mountainous design on the bottom third of the envelope. This envelope stores Parts 8 to 11.
The stereoscope is stored in a custom-made storage box. It houses Parts 2 - 7 & 11. It contains two stereoscopes in one – a mirror stereoscope and a binocular stereoscope. The binoculars are missing.
Part 1: Storage Box. Wooden, painted grey with metal corners. It has a handle at the front made from metal and leather. There is text stamped into the top edge of the handle which reads “[…] No 26646 MADE […]” There is also the word “DURA” on the inside of the handle. There is a keyring attached to the handle with a small key with “CHENEY” on one side, and a green fob which reads “Safety Deposit Case”. There are two metal clasps on either side of the box with key holes and a push release mechanism. There is a rectangular black metal maker’s plate on the top of the box in the centre with white text which reads “STEREOSCOPE UNIVERSAL / W.D.No.B.2135 1940 / RAYNER / LONDON”. There is a painted white broad arrow on the front, indication that this object was manufactured for military use.
The box is hinged at the back and has a piece of fabric secured inside on the left to prevent it from falling too far back. Inside the box there are printed instructions with diagrams on paper pasted inside the lid. “INSTRUCTIONS FOR SETTING VERTICAL PHOTOGRAPHS. / 1. IN THE MIRROR STEREOSCOPE. […] 2. IN THE BINOCULAR STEREOSCOPE. […]”. The box has compartments which have been made to fit each item [Parts 3-7, 11] snugly with padding. At the base of the lid is a white label with black text which reads “DONATED BY LAND INFORMATION NEW ZEALAND”.
Part 2: Base. Varnished wooden board with curved edges - base for mounting the stereoscopic viewer. In the centre at the back is a black and silver-coloured metal piece which connects the viewer stand [Part 4] to the base.
Part 3: Mirror Stereoscope. Stored on the left side of the box. It is black covered metal, composed of a frame with two eye holes in the centre and two mirrors on either side. These mirrors taper in towards the centre of the viewer. At the bottom are two cylindrical plugs which connect to the stand. There is a threaded hole in the centre with a broad arrow.
Part 4: Stand. Stored at the rear of the box. It is a black metal rectangular piece with a wider end at the top and two adjustment knobs. There are two brackets with two screws at the top end. Above the top adjustment knob is white text “STEREOSCOPE UNIVERSAL / W. D. No. B. 2135”. Above the second knob is “RAYNER / LONDON / [broad arrow]”.
Part 5: Binoculars Clamp. Stored in the small box at the right corner of the box. This is a small black item with a metal hook at the top and a screw thread underneath. There are two metal plugs on either side to connect to the stand.
Part 6: Binocular Lens. Stored inside the large box at the front. Black metal and with glass lenses. Engraved on the side of the cylinder is “12” FOCUS LENS No B2695 / KODAK LTD LONDON 1940 / [broad arrow].” On one end the lens has a base with three screws which would connect to the binoculars.
Part 7: Binocular Lens. Stored inside the large box at the front. Black metal and with glass lenses. Engraved on the side of the cylinder is “12” FOCUS LENS No B2695A / KODAK LTD LONDON 1940 / [broad arrow].” On one end the lens has a base with three screws which would connect to the binoculars.
Part 8: Aerial Photograph showing a mountainous terrain and coastline. The photograph number is shown in the bottom left corner, “03843”. Text running along the bottom of the image reads “T/3843 WAIPU AREA 18. 7. 42 1015 10400 F 5 RUN 6”. On the back of the image are two stamps in dark blue which read “NOT FOR SALE / FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY”. Handwritten upside-down in fountain pen is “6/42 / 42 / J/3843 / 18 7 32”.
Part 9: Aerial Photograph showing a mountainous terrain and coastline. The photograph number is shown in the bottom left corner, “03841”. “RUN 6” is written in white at the bottom of the image in the centre. On the back of the image is one stamp in dark blue which reads “NOT FOR SALE / FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY”. Underneath is a purple stamp which has been filled in using fountain pen, “6/40 / R.N.Z.A.F. PHOTO. / WHENUAPAI. / Serial No. J3841 / Date 17.7.42 / CROWN COPYRIGHT.” This photograph overlaps with Part 10.
Part 10: Aerial Photograph showing a mountainous terrain and coastline. The photograph number is shown in the bottom left corner, “03842”. “RUN 6” is written in white at the bottom of the image in the centre. On the back of the image is one stamp in dark blue which reads “NOT FOR SALE / FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY”. Underneath is a purple stamp which has been filled in using fountain pen, “6/41 / R.N.Z.A.F. PHOTO. / WHENUAPAI. / Serial No. J3842 / Date 17.7.42 / CROWN COPYRIGHT.” This photograph overlaps with Part 9.
Part 11: Small black piece of rubber. It is unclear whether this item is associated with the stereoscope.
Part 12: Envelope. A4 white envelope with a clear window. In the top left is “Land Information / Toitu te / whenua / New Zealand / Private Bag 5501, Wellington” and with a New Zealand silhouette logo. There is a mountainous design on the bottom third of the envelope. This envelope stores Parts 8 to 11.
Marks
[…] No 26646 MADE […] / DURA Engraved
CHENEY Engraved
Safety Deposit Case Hand-written
STEREOSCOPE UNIVERSAL / W.D.No.B.2135 1940 / RAYNER / LONDON Maker's Plate
INSTRUCTIONS FOR SETTING VERTICAL PHOTOGRAPHS. / 1. IN THE MIRROR STEREOSCOPE. […] 2. IN THE BINOCULAR STEREOSCOPE. […] Printed
DONATED BY LAND INFORMATION NEW ZEALAND Label
STEREOSCOPE UNIVERSAL / W. D. No. B. 2135 / RAYNER / LONDON / [broad arrow] Engraved
12” FOCUS LENS No B2695 / KODAK LTD LONDON 1940 / [broad arrow] Engraved
12” FOCUS LENS No B2695A / KODAK LTD LONDON 1940 / [broad arrow] Engraved
03843 / T/3843 WAIPU AREA 18. 7. 42 1015 10400 F 5 RUN 6 Printed
NOT FOR SALE / FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Ink Stamp
6/42 / 42 / J/3843 / 18 7 32 Hand-written
03841 / RUN 6 Printed
6/40 / R.N.Z.A.F. PHOTO. / WHENUAPAI. / Serial No. J3841 / Date 17.7.42 / CROWN COPYRIGHT. Ink stamp and hand-written
03842 / RUN 6 Printed
6/41 / R.N.Z.A.F. PHOTO. / WHENUAPAI. / Serial No. J3842 / Date 17.7.42 / CROWN COPYRIGHT. Ink stamp and hand-written
Land Information / Toitu te / whenua / New Zealand / Private Bag 5501, Wellington Printed
CHENEY Engraved
Safety Deposit Case Hand-written
STEREOSCOPE UNIVERSAL / W.D.No.B.2135 1940 / RAYNER / LONDON Maker's Plate
INSTRUCTIONS FOR SETTING VERTICAL PHOTOGRAPHS. / 1. IN THE MIRROR STEREOSCOPE. […] 2. IN THE BINOCULAR STEREOSCOPE. […] Printed
DONATED BY LAND INFORMATION NEW ZEALAND Label
STEREOSCOPE UNIVERSAL / W. D. No. B. 2135 / RAYNER / LONDON / [broad arrow] Engraved
12” FOCUS LENS No B2695 / KODAK LTD LONDON 1940 / [broad arrow] Engraved
12” FOCUS LENS No B2695A / KODAK LTD LONDON 1940 / [broad arrow] Engraved
03843 / T/3843 WAIPU AREA 18. 7. 42 1015 10400 F 5 RUN 6 Printed
NOT FOR SALE / FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Ink Stamp
6/42 / 42 / J/3843 / 18 7 32 Hand-written
03841 / RUN 6 Printed
6/40 / R.N.Z.A.F. PHOTO. / WHENUAPAI. / Serial No. J3841 / Date 17.7.42 / CROWN COPYRIGHT. Ink stamp and hand-written
03842 / RUN 6 Printed
6/41 / R.N.Z.A.F. PHOTO. / WHENUAPAI. / Serial No. J3842 / Date 17.7.42 / CROWN COPYRIGHT. Ink stamp and hand-written
Land Information / Toitu te / whenua / New Zealand / Private Bag 5501, Wellington Printed
Media/Materials
Other name
Stereoscopic viewer
Credit Line
Rayner London. 1940. Stereoscope [Rayner London], 2018.57. The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT).
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