When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Up for sale is an authentic, original stereoscopic card featuring a bustling street scene in Constantinople (Istanbul), Turkey. Produced by the renowned Keystone View Company, this card offers a fascinating "3D" glimpse into the Ottoman Empire’s daily life, captured in the European quarter. The image shows a narrow lane of stone steps leading to the Grand Rue of Pera, filled with local vendors, merchants, and period-dressed residents.
Item Details:
Manufacturer: Keystone View Company (Studios in Meadville, PA).
Series/Serial Number: 093-E-V7178.
Subject: "Street Scene in Constantinople, Turkey."
Dimensions: Approximately 18 cm x 8.5 cm.
Format: Silver gelatin or lithographic print on a curved grey mount (designed to enhance the 3D effect when used with a stereoscope viewer).
Condition Note:
The card is in good antique condition. The imagery remains crisp with deep contrast. There is some light wear to the edges and corners consistent with age. The reverse side features a detailed educational description of the city's history and geography. (Please see photos for a detailed look at the condition).
The back of the card provides a rich narrative, describing the city as a "very important port" and noting that in 1912, it had a population of 1,125,000. It highlights the multicultural nature of the city at the time, mentioning the mix of Turkish, Armenian, Bulgarian, Greek, and Jewish communities that made up the fabric of the European quarter. This card served as both entertainment and an educational tool for Western audiences curious about the "Orient."
