THE STANHOPE

The Stanhope, named after English scientist Lord Stanhope (1753-1816), was an optical novelty that was concealed in nineteenth century jewellery and ornaments. It consisted of a slim glass rod, less than one-eighth of an inch in diameter, which had one end rounded to form a lens and a tiny round collodion positive photograph cemented to the other end. A small hole was drilled in the jewellery, the stanhope inserted, and a magnified view of the photograph could then be seen by looking through the lens.

The first Stanhopes to be seen in Adelaide were probably those which arrived in August 1861. ‘Professor Hall, of Hindley-street, received by the English mail a small consignment beautifully illustrative of the high degree of perfection which is now attained in the art of photography. The articles to which we refer are three gentlemen's breastpins, of simple and well-known pattern, namely, two entwined hoops having a gold bar running through them. In these pins, however, the bar represents a telescope, in one end of which is fixed a small piece of glass, and in the other a lens. The diameter of the tube does not exceed the 16th of an inch, yet, when the eye is brought to bear upon it, a most magnificent portrait of Richard Cooden (half-length) is reflected. The great free trade champion is represented as seated at a table, and underneath the portrait is his name, in full, and the address of the photographers, Messrs Richard Dagion & Co., Paris. The space occupied by the portrait upon the glass is not larger than a pin’s point, yet when viewed through the other end of the small tube, every feature is most clearly defined. These pins are certainly great curiosities. The portrait is of course obtained by the use of the microscopic camera, an instrument which has now been brought to such a high degree of perfection at home as even to exceed the expectations of the most sanguine professors of the art. We may state that only two of the pins received by Professor Hall contain portraits; the third shows a perfect representation of a Bank of England five pound note.’

While early stanhopes used only respectable images it was not long before less acceptable photographs began to appear. In September 1869 Customs officials in Adelaide seized a case of jewellery and watchmaker’s tools which had been imported by an Adelaide jeweller. The case was detained for examination and found to contain ‘a packet of watch keys, each containing a diminutive photograph with magnifying power which, upon being held close to the eye, represented the most obscene and disgusting pictures.’ As the Customs Act prohibited the importation of ‘obscene and indecent pictures’ the case and its contents were confiscated. The following day ‘Homo’ wrote to the editor of the Register claiming that the only punishment likely to be meted out was seizure of the offending goods, and urged more positive action. ‘I wish, as a member of the community deeply interested in the exclusion of such evil influences, to express a hope, which I am sure will be echoed by every right feeling parent in the land, that steps will be taken to punish the person, whoever he may be, who seeks to bring such vile things amongst us. I happen to know of similar goods having been imported some time ago, and hence the need of making a strong effort to prevent such an abominable trade being carried on.’

A few days later the paper reported that 50 watch keys ‘containing this objectionable adjunct’ had been seized and that they were being openly exhibited at Port Adelaide, but this was denied by Customs, who said they had only been seen by ‘officials, an agent at the Port, a member of the legal profession, and the reporters to the Press.’ The jeweller charged with importing ‘these exceedingly filthy articles’ was August Neresheimer, and in addition to forfeiting the watch keys, stated in court to number 30, he also lost a large quantity of watches, brooches, earrings and other jewellery. The objectionable pictures were punched from the watch keys and sold at auction along with the other goods seized by Customs.

End.