Stereoscopes by A. L. Hudson

Augustus L. Hudson (July 4, 1830 - March 17, 1922) and lived in Hingham Ma. Together with his son William, they were the producers of stereoscopes and photographic accessories. On January 2, 1866 he patented  a photo sensitizing box under patent #51834. He exhibited and won a bronze medal for this invention at the Charitable Mechanics Association in Boston in 1865. In 1878 he patented a camera film magazine under patent #201,248. He was in business from the 1870’s into the 1880’s. He produced both hand held and stand model stereoscopes in great quantity. They were well made and tend to be slightly larger than those made by competitors. A mark “PAT’D 1874” may be found on some faceplates. No patent can be found with a link to Hudson but the patent date may be a reference to the June 2, 1874 patent of Henry Dorr. On the hoods shown below, the one on the left used the Dorr style hood with a nice raised edge to cover the seam where the hood and face plate meet, the hood on the right does not have this raised edge and therefore was made prior to 1874.

A. L. Hudson, AL Hudson Warranted or “AH” will be stamped on the end of the slide or “AH” at the center of the hood. Another distinguishing feature is the hunter green paper lining on the inside of wood hoods. Paper hoods covered in book binders cloth are common. There are two different designs on the trim around the inside of the lenses.

Raised molding, no frame                 Grooved trim around glass with metal frame

Handles are found in three variations.

The clip on the card holder is unique to Hudson and therefore a trademark.

 Hand held viewer from top, note the small circle on the card holder, another feature unique to Hudson.

Large stand model, note threaded stud on stand to allow disassembly, the upper half becomes a handle.

© 2006 - Del Phillips