Beckers Style Viewers

Alexander Beckers was an early photographer, artist, inventor and merchant in New York City. He is best know for his early work with the revolving stereoscope and his name has been placed on all this style of viewer even though they were made by many other makers as well. He moved to NYC in 1844 and received 10 stereoscope patents from 1857 to 1877. His business was located at 560 Broadway, New York City. For a short time he was neighbors with E. Anthony and they would be life long friends as well as business competitors. He likely sold stereoscopes in his own store but was well represented by Anthony & Co. and G. W. Thorne. In an 1860 Anthony catalog a Beckers viewer was priced at $18 to $50 while stereographs were priced at $3 to $5 a dozen.

In an early 1860 advertisement for E. Anthony Co. it was written:

Every gentleman of wealth and refined taste should have in his drawingroom some of our exquisite views on glass with a revolving stereoscope, showing 12, 25, 50 or 100 scenes. Nothing can be more fascinating and one can offer no greater treat to a friend.

Somewhere along the line these viewers have become known as "Sweetheart Viewers" because they have eye pieces on both sides and can be viewed at the same time by you and your Sweetheart. They came in various capacities, usually views could be placed back to back and nearly any of the flat mount paper or glass views could be viewed. The following two examples were made by James Lee of New York who also patented several versions of the Beckers style viewers.

Beckers also produced hand held Holmes / Bates stereoscopes which you will find by clicking this link.