What on earth is a Stanhope?

One of my first tasks as a new intern in the photographic history department was to research and write about Stanhopes—what they are, where the name came from, who invented them. I spent about two days finding out everything I could about the objects. I love how one topic can branch out into so many! For example, I started with the name—which comes from the 3rd Earl of Stanhope. He had a daughter known for her world travels in the 1800s. Of course, his daughter has nothing to do with what we know as Stanhopes but I love how connections in research can take you anywhere. I learned a great deal about supporting characters such as Sir David Brewster and John Benjamin Dancer, and I even learned about the fascinating use of the Pigeongrammes. And all this in my third week here! I love how digging deep when learning about a new topic can open up a whole new world.

Three examples of a traditional Stanhope including an acorn-shaped tape measure and a pen.

Examples of the tiny images found attached to the lens in a Stanhope.

So, what is a Stanhope? Here’s what I learned: Novelty souvenirs that became popular during the 19th century, these objects (ranging from pens to sewing accessories to jewelry) are unique because of the tiny hidden image placed somewhere inside the object. The image can be found by holding the object up to the light and looking into a tiny hole where the magnified image becomes visible. These images range from landscapes to portraits and are about 1/10th an inch in diameter and 1/4 an inch long. The term “Stanhope” comes from the inventor of the Stanhope Lens, Lord Charles Stanhope (1753-1816) (Note: Lord Charles died before photography had been invented). The name “Stanhope” is somewhat of a misnomer because the actual lens used in the objects known as “Stanhopes” is not actually a Stanhope lens. It is actually called the Codding Magnifier, invented by Sir David Brewster (1781-1868).

In 1839, John Benjamin Dancer (1812-1887) attached a microscope lens to a daguerreotype camera and produced microphotographs. This new technology influenced Rene Dagron (1819-1900), a portrait maker in Paris, to invent the Stanhope by affixing a micro-image to a lens. After these new developments, Dagron manufactured novelties with tiny photographs in them beginning in the early 1860’s. Eventually Stanhope novelties began to lose their popularity as souvenirs and the last true Stanhopes were made in 1972 by Roger Reymond.

My favorite part of this research was actually handling artifacts. I had the incredible opportunity of sorting through the museum’s Stanhopes. Seeing the items I was researching firsthand was fun and a vital part of understanding what I was writing about. Plus, it is interesting to see what people in the 1800s thought of as a charming souvenir—in the collection I found jewelry, letter openers, and even a tiny tape measure!

Ciara Teegarden is an intern with the Photographic History Collection at the National Museum of American History.

Comments

[Claudia Bradby]

Amazing and fascinating - what we refer to here in England as a 'folly' - the sheer effort and application required to make it is definitely part of their attraction. Thanks for this post, I really enjoyed it!

[Santa Barbara]

I wanted to share that I once saw a Stanhope from a collection at a gallery in upstate New York that was amazing, maybe 25 years ago, it was a carved horn, and when you looked through it you you saw a picture of an American Indian on horseback. The man said it was from the 1890's.

[Eric]

My grandmother had Stanhope in her glass curio cabinet. Not sure what child received it in her passing. Always wondered if it was valuable.

[John]

Great post even though I was a little confused at first and thought you are talking about jewels. Anyhow great site and good info to know! More conversation materials for me!

[Martha]

I remember handling a Stanhope when I was in elementary school (though I didn't know what it was called at the time).

I don't know if it was an original, or a replica, but I think my experience with that early artifact is what got me interested in memorabilia and later led to my current interest in scrapbooking.

Thanks for posting this, and for bringing back a childhood memory!

[Retta]

When I first started reading this I thought you would be talking about diamonds for some reason. I have never heard of this term before, but I think it is great all the new information I can come up with by surfing the net.

[photographer Brighton]

Does anyone remember the stereoscopic viewers of the 60's and 70's. Seems to me they were a plastic 20th century take on the same idea, but of course not so aesthetic or desirable. Interesting piece, thanks. P

[Shannon Perich, Associate Curator for the Photographic History Collection]

Dear Ms. Lee, I’m not sure how much I can tell you without seeing the ring or a photograph of it. I don’t think that you have a Stanhope per se, but rather a piece of photo jewelry. The “AH” is probably the maker’s stamp. It sounds like an interesting family heirloom!

[Linda Lee]

My father has a brass ring set with blue stone?/cabochon with photograph of nude model copying pose of small figurine set beside her on table. The ring is stamped AH. My father is 79 years old and remembers seeing this ring, which belonged to my grandfather, for thw first time when he was about five. Can you tell me anything about it?

[Nicola]

A possible source for the tiny lenses you need to make your own Stanhope jewelry may be Hobby Shops. They specialize in miniaturized versions of many items for models and I have found a similar type of lens for a project I was doing. I'm not sure if it is still too large for your needs but you might something suitable there.

[Safa]

Oooh, those images are quite similar to the ones you used to get from old Cuban Cigar Boxes. Probably from the same era anyway.

[NMAH]

Dear Tre: Thank you for your inquiry. I am not aware of anyone manufacturing these small lenses anymore. You might talk to someone at a high quality optics shop that sells microscopes and other specialized lenses to help you find something that you might adapt.

[Tre Mullins]

I would like to make my own stanhope jewelry. Can you tell me if you know of a manufacturer of the lens or of a like lens that is being used today?

[Laurel]

I love stanhopes and wish they were still made - I'd love to make my own. It was interesting to read the background and to read about your fun intern project. Thanks!