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These are modern reproductions of a Victorian novelty. Contained within the object, a spoon or a thimble, is a tiny lens and a tiny photograph or 'photomicrograph'. When you hold the object up to the light and 'peep' through the lens, you see the secret image.Stanhopes or peeps (or peepers) were popular in the 19th and 20th centuries, but went out of production over 50 years ago. We have managed to find a company that has just started making modern replicas, reviving an ancient enthusiasm.First a bit of history. Charles Stanhope, the 3rd Earl of Stanhope, was a politician and a scientist. Born in 1753, he invented a printing press, various calculating machines, and the lens which is named after him. Based on a small cylindrical glass rod, convex at one end and flat at the other, the lens will greatly magnify any transparent object that is placed on the flat surface and viewed through the other end.Used originally as a microscope lens, it found a new use after the invention of photomicrography in 1853 in the tiny trinkets and souvenirs which came to be known as 'Stanhopes.' The earliest Stanhopes were rings and brooches, but from the 1860s until into the 20th century, a great variety of objects containing these tiny photographs were made from ivory, bone, wood and metal. Some show popular tourist spots or other places of interest. Some commemorate important events, contain a religious poem, or even a young lady in a state of undress! These antique Stanhopes have now become collectors items, although they are not yet enormously expensive. The Stanhopes we supply are modern replicas, created by a small firm of enthusiasts, 50 years after the original Stanhope peepers finally went out of production. There is a choice of designs. There is a spoon that contains the Lord's Prayer, a spoon that contains a Baptism Prayer, and 'Secrets' - a boy and girl sitting on a wall, talking to each other.There is a tankard which contains a 'Your Pub Needs You' poster, rather like Lord Kitchener, a castle that contains a picture of the Tower of London, and a Castle that contains a 'saucy lady' in a state of undress. Write a review about: StanhopesAsk a question about: StanhopesPeople who bought this item also bought:
