Willard Manufacturing Company

Willard Manufacturing Company was located at 684 Broadway, New York City. John W. Willard (dob 1826) operated John W. Willard & Company that sold photographic supplies from 1857 to 1890. It was said to have been the largest store of it's kind at one time. There were dozens of photographers and businesses dealing in photography within a few blocks. This advertisement was found in a book published in 1869. The company is still listed in the 1890 city directory at 423 Broome Street.

Willard viewers are seldom found and if found are usually in poor condition. A paper label may be found on the bottom of some viewers with the following information.

Improved

Hand Stereoscope

Manufactured expressly for

WILLARD MFG. CO.

684 Broadway, N. Y.

P a t e n t A p p l i ed F o r

No patent can be found. Willard viewers have the same folding wire card holder as those made by the Lewis Company also of New York City so it is likely they were the makers. The vee shaped brass guides mated with a matching profile in the center wood piece. The handle acted as a stop for the slide. There are three known variants of this special viewer, two with embossed paper hood designs and one with a wood hood.

This viewer has no initial in the hood center. The other variant has a large "W" in the center.

A Willard viewer with a wood hood. I have seen more of these with wood hoods than with paper ones.