Biographical/historical information

"Stereo photography combined the work of two Victorian inventors, Sir Charles Wheatsone and Sir David Brewster, who used photography to popularise their discoveries. Stereo negatives when exposed in a camera produced two almost identical photographs which were then placed in a viewer that enabled them to be seen three dimensionally" (Powerhouse Museum). "Dermatologists were rare in the United States in the early 1900s, and general practitioners had limited dermatological training. Enter Selden Irwin Rainforth, an entrepreneurial general practitioner from upstate New York" (Yale Alumni Magazine, January/February 2009). A graduate of Johns Hopkins Medical School, Rainforth used the popular technology to provide three-dimensional views of common skin diseases.

Scope and arrangement

Set of 132 photographic prints on stereoscopic cards, arranged in alphabetical order by skin disease. "Copyright 1910 by Dr. S. I. Rainforth N.Y." at the foot of each card. The photographs depict various diseases, from acne to syphilis. Each image includes description, diagnosis, and treatment on back of each card. Designed for the use of practitioners and students of medicine. Probably from: Selden I. Rainforth. The Stereoscopic Skin Clinic. New York, circa 1910. WARNING: Contains nudity and graphic images.

Administrative information

Custodial History

Probably donated 1982-2000; set of 132 stereoscopic cards. Gift of Todd L. Savitt of Greenville, North Carolina.

Source of acquisition

Gift of Todd L. Savitt

Processing information

Processed by Melissa Nasea, 2015

Copyright notice

Literary rights to specific documents are retained by the authors or their descendants in accordance with U.S. copyright law.

Language of material

English

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