Crinolines and other Victorian oddities: in 3D

Queen guitarist and passionate stereocard collector Brian May, and photography historian Dennis Pellerin, are co-authors of several collections of stereographs – double photographs from the Victorian era which, seen through special viewers, create remarkable 3D images.

First developed as a scientific toy, the stereographs was soon considered a remarkable instrument of entertainment and education. The craze for stereographs precisely overlapped with the craze for Crinolines. These voluminous underskirts were immensely popular between 1856 and 1867, but were severely impractical, caused accidents and deaths and proved to be a serious fire hazard. Although the hoops and inflatable frames disappeared, this wonderful humorous imagery produced of them during the Crinoline decade has lasted intact over the centuries – and is rediscovered in this presentation.

This event will also show some fantastical 19th-century ‘Diableries’ – a ghoulish underworld of devils, satyrs and skeletons – and other amazing visions from the era; all on the big screen. Special 3D glasses will be supplied.

The speakers will be signing copies of their jointly authored books Crinoline, Diableries and The Poor Man's Picture Gallery after the event.