Hidden Images

I had never seen anything like this before. An object with a microphotograph hidden in it that can only be seen with the embedded lens. The lenses and photographs were often combined with souvenirs or rosaries. Sometimes, they are jewelry, like this ring. I learned that these are called "stanhopes." (The Earl of Stanhope invented the lens.) Everything you'd want to know about stanhopes can be found at stanhopes.info, naturally.

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Well, not everything. The .info site doesn't mention risque or pornographic images, and according to this site, they were among the first microphotographs hidden in objects with stanhope lens. Of course. Men could walk around and carry their porn in plain sight, and share it with other men as they wished.


(By the way, this page shows us the store's owners, one of whom has freaky curled facial hair. )


Here is the ring that sold for $135.