June 29, 2004

Stanhopes use a special lens to display microscopic photographs through a small peephole. They used to be inserted into small novelty/souvenir items, and some are saleable antiques.

Stanhope himself, though an Earl, was an ardent revolutionary who also invented unsuccessful steam boats, logical/calculating machines, and printing technology. He was the father of the notorious Lady Hester Stanhope, who after acting as hostess for her uncle William Pitt until his death, went to the Near East and became a local holy woman, ruling a small territory of her own, apparently by sheer force of personality... sorry, I lost the thread a bit there. Anyway, one company still makes Stanhopes. Perhaps we should commission a small golden monkey as a kind of badge - unfortunately I think we're spoiled for choice on pictures to put inside it...

  • Curios and curios-er.
  • Neat, Plegmund, but why are the ones be currently made mostly gaudy crosses?
  • They do seem rather long on ornate crosses for some reason. Perhaps people find them ideal for containing one of the stock antique porn images??
  • lovely link, Pleg
  • Delightful. I can see why collectors are so ga-ga about them. Thanks for the link.