The Stereoscopic Nude: Der Akt in Der Photographie : Le Nu Stgereoscopique 1850-1930

My original interest in this book grew out of my interest as a "living historian" or reenactor, portraying characters from the midnineteenth century. I regarded this book as a window to an aspect of life in the period that was interesting but less well documented than more mundane daily routines and practices. Although the images in the book are European and I concentrate on American society during the nineteenth century it was a refreshing change to see so many candid images from the period that did not reveal a dour countenance on a body corseted and dressed to within an inch of its life. In addition, my wife was appreciative of the fact that the women in the images were not emaciated supermodels, but "normal" women who were not ashamed of their bodies. About twenty years ago I passed on a set of original stereoviews of nudes from the period that I found at a flea market and have regretted it ever since. This book serves as a pleasant consolation.