How to Date a Stereview Card
Use the guide below to estimate the date of your stereoview card.
Are the images mounted as photographs or printed on the card?
- Photographs: After c.1850
- Printed (Continuous Lithograph): 1853-1890
- Printed (Halftone Impression): 1898-1930
If the images are mounted as photographs, what material is used for the photographic images?
- Copper (Daguerreotype, Rich Contrast): 1849-1860
- Iron (Tintype, Poor Contrast): 1860-1875
- Glass (Ambrotype, White on Black Background): 1854-1860
- Glass (Transparent Mount): 1850-1875
- Paper: 1852-1940
Is the mount ridgid and substantially curved?
Some early mounts may have a slight curve especially if they have been stored with curved mounts.
- No: 1851-1890
- Yes: 1879-1940
Is the mount thick (ridgid) or thin?
It is helpful to compare mounts from different eras to determine relative thickness.
- Thin: 1851-1858
- Thick (Flat): 1857-1890
- Thick (Curved): 1879-1940
Does the mount feature uniformly rounded corners?
Mounts with square corners may be slightly rounded due to handling over time. Rounded corners are more uniform.
- Yes: 1868-1890
- No: 1857-1870
What size is the mount?
- 3.5x7" (Standard): 1851-1940
- 4-4.5x7" (Imperial): 1874-1880
Does the back feature a backlist (list of all views available in the series)?
Does the back have a tax stamp (similar to a postage stamp)?
What color is the mount?
The years listed below are general indicators based on color. Exceptions are to be expected.
- Ivory, Thin: Prior to 1860
- Off-White, Thin: Prior to 1860
- Lilac, Thin: Prior to 1860
- Pink, Thin: Prior to 1860
- Yellow: 1861-1873
- Red-Orange: 1861-1873
- Green: 1861-1873
- Pink: 1861-1873
- Lilac: 1861-1873
- Light Buff, Curved: early 1890s
- Salmon Buff: early 1890s
- Orange, Curved: Mid-to-late 1890s
- Keystone Grey: 1901+
- Underwood Brown: 1901+
- H.C. White Creamy, Enameled, Greenish-Brown: Before 1901
- H.C. White Black with Gold Lettering: 1902+
- C.H. Graves Universal Photo Art, Light Grey with Platino prints: 1901+