I had a nibble on my stereo viewer

debodun

debodun

SF VIP
Location
way upstate in New York, USA
This antique is also known as a stereopticon and predates ViewMaster by decades. I can't use it anymore because of loss of vision in left eye (you need vision in both eyes to get the 3-D effect). I also have 133 viewing cards, some even depict President McKinley. Since it doesn't work for me anymore, I decided to sell it. In the ad I said that it's in good condition and that I only accept cash. The person that inquired asked what condition it was and that he pays with Zelle. I wonder if people really read through the ad or just look at the pictures? This is what I'm referring to, and a few sample viewing cards:

stereopticon1.jpgstereopticon3.jpg
 

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Deb, if you say cash only, stick to that!

I know nothing about value but it's very interesting and I've never seen one. Have you researched online pricing. And for the cards too like fuzzybuddy mentioned?
 

I did ask for an online appraisal from an antique dealer. He also said what you said what you mentioned - the viewer not worth as much as the cards. if sold together, maybe $200 - $300 depending on the subject matter of the cards. I listed the set at $150.
 
I remember my dad had one of those, and he used to let me look at pictures with his. I do not know whatever became of it, But I remember thinking that it was a pretty neat little gadget.
Later, my mom got one of the Viewmasters that looked kind of like binoculars and had little round disks with pictures that went in it. She got a lot of disks, and i used to love seeing the pictures of old buildings and cities around the world, and some with wildlife on them.
Live was so simple and easy back then ! Thanks for the memory, @debodun !
 
I had one of those until recently. It was my gramma's.

I donated it to our local historical society museum. There were 2 ladies there that day and after driving all the way downtown I actually had to talk them into taking it. They already had 2, both of which were in a small display case in the museum.

They were like,

"I don't know where we'd put it. What do you think, Meg?"

"Oh my gosh, Jan, I just don't know; the case is so small."

"Well, I guess we could add it to the parlor scene ...if there's room on that little side table."

"But we'd have to shuffle a few things around (sigh)."

Felt like I was being waterboarded for a solid 30 minutes before they finally settled on the little side table.
 
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The money is in the cards. I believe sporting events are really collectible and political/historical events. (y)
 
My grandmother had one when I was a young boy. The pictures were scenes of the battlefields during WW1. All of the pictures were black and white. At that time almost all snapshot film was black and white.
 
debodun said:
I did ask for an online appraisal from an antique dealer. He also said what you said what you mentioned - the viewer not worth as much as the cards. if sold together, maybe $200 - $300 depending on the subject matter of the cards. I listed the set at $150.
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Yup, there are several of these viewers for sale on EBAY....$10 to $30. The "value" would be in the cards.
 
debodun said:
Well, there was buzz on NextDoor. I'm not the only one he contacted. Apparently he's going through many people that have things for sale there and asking for Venmo info.
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Are you saying he may be a scammer? I'd think anyone buying items this way would have cash. I wouldn't go to a garage sale and ask them to take a check or credit. Sounds weird.
 
I have sold many items with people paying with Zelle. You set up Zelle yourself with your bank. I did it easily online. I used my phone number when I set it up for people to use to pay me. The only information I have to give the buyer is my phone number. I get a text immediately when they pay before they leave with the item.
 
I lived in upstate New York in the late 70’s and there were tons of antique shops. I have some nice pieces from that time.
The stuff I am selling are not antiques. There’s tons on marketplace cheap here.

I have been selling items that I no longer want such as 2 living room chairs that were never used, coffee table like new, 2 outdoor side tables, ice making machine, soda stream machine and a new rug that I bought for my balcony and never used.

I also won’t bother with anything that I can’t get at least 20 for a single item. Those items I donate. If I don’t sell an item in a month then I donate.
 

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