Stanhopes are small, often utilitarian, objects that have been set with a tiny lens, which, when held to light and close to the eye, reveals a tiny photograph. The microphotograph itself is no bigger than the size of a full stop, but is magnified when viewed through the lens.

Three people contributed to the development of Stanhopes – J.B. Dancer, inventor of microphotography, Lord Stanhope, inventor of the lens and Frenchman Rene Dagron, who first combined the two and set the result into novelty items, thereby popularising the technique.

Mass-produced on a rapidly increasing scale from the early 1860s onwards, most were sold as inexpensive souvenirs of places or as commemorative objects for events and exhibitions. From the mid-1860s, Dagron exported thousands of lenses from his factory.

People could send him photographs, which he would miniaturise and mount on a lens making them ready for insertion into any more...

17 items found:

These items have been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.

Three Victorian souvenir Stanhopes, cricket bat, miniature boot,…

Victorian Souvenir Stanhopes: Cricket Bat, Miniature Boot, Plastic Binoculars

Three Victorian souvenir Stanhopes, cricket bat, miniature boot, plastic binoculars and tiny penguin

Medrington portrait miniature, attributed to Liverpool artist…

Victorian Portrait Miniature by Arthur Stanhope

Medrington portrait miniature, attributed to Liverpool artist Arthur Stanhope, finely painted mid to late Victorian framed

Antique ribbon holder, carved ivory with circular engravings…

Engraved Ivory Ribbon Holder with Stanhope Finial

Antique ribbon holder, carved ivory with circular engravings and stanhope to lid finial depicting Bridgetown church

Whalebone glove stretcher, bodkin, needle case and Stanhope…

19th Century Accessories Set

Whalebone glove stretcher, bodkin, needle case and Stanhope (missing lens), 19th century, (4 items), the glove stretcher16 cm long

Edwardian carved bone Stanhope needle case viewer depicting…

Antique Stanhope Needle Case Viewer of Constantinople Battleships

Edwardian carved bone Stanhope needle case viewer depicting Constantinople battleships at dock missing screw base

Tasmanian International Exhibition, Hobart 1884-5, Coquilla nut…

Stanhope View Basket from Tasmanian International Exhibition

Tasmanian International Exhibition, Hobart 1884-5, Coquilla nut basket with photographic Stanhope view, circa 1884, 6 cm high

A sterling silver miniature propelling pencil with Stanhope…

Stanhope Pencil: Memory of Bexhill on Sea

A sterling silver miniature propelling pencil with Stanhope peeper, featuring 'A Memory of Bexhill on Sea', 5 cm long

Antique bone miniature binocular form Stanhope with viewing…

Antique Stanhope Binoculars with Viewing Scenes and Prayers

Antique bone miniature binocular form Stanhope with viewing scenes intact, including a view of a young girl praying and the words of 'The Lords Prayer' below, plus a view of six scenic pictures, each labelled as Grand Hotel, Aquarium, Chain Pier, Pavilion…

Antique carved bone hand Stanhope needle case, with Stanhope…

Carved Bone Needle Case Without Stanhope, 10cm Long

Antique carved bone hand Stanhope needle case, with Stanhope missing, length 10 cm

Whalebone Stanhope in form of ladies leg (French scene), 2 cm

French Scene Whalebone Stanhope Lady's Leg Miniature

Whalebone Stanhope in form of ladies leg (French scene), 2 cm

Two whalebone stanhopes, one showing Melbourne Post Office, the…

Whalebone Stanhopes: Melbourne & Pont des Berques

Two whalebone stanhopes, one showing Melbourne Post Office, the other Pont des Berques France, late 19th century, largest 2 cm

Antique miniature bone binoculars with stanhope view of naked…

Stanhope Binoculars: Nude Lady Viewfinder

Antique miniature bone binoculars with stanhope view of naked lady in one peep, the other is not clear.

Nineteenth century ivory binoculars stanhope 2 cm long. One…

Tiny 19th Century Ivory Binoculars with Chester Stanhope Viewfinder

Nineteenth century ivory binoculars stanhope 2 cm long. One side functioning depicts Chester

Victorian bone mechanical pencil with stanhope together with a…

Victorian Bone Pencil with Stanhope and Pen Nibs Tin

Victorian bone mechanical pencil with stanhope together with a small tin of pen nibs

Antique ivory dip pen and letter opener with Stanhope peep…

Stanhope Antique Ivory Dip Pen and Letter Opener

Antique ivory dip pen and letter opener with Stanhope peep showing the Eiffel Tower, 22.7 cm long

Collection of 19th century ivory & bore handled quills, some…

19th Century Ivory and Bore Quills with Stanhopes

Collection of 19th century ivory & bore handled quills, some containing stanhopes

Early bone Stanhope Min binoculars. View of statue of Liberty…

Tiny Stanhope Binoculars: Statue of Liberty View

Early bone Stanhope Min binoculars. View of statue of Liberty NY. Length 2 cm