Raymond Holstein Stereograph Collection Donated to the Library Company

The Raymond Holstein Stereograph Collection consists of approximately 2000 Philadelphia images and represents five decades of collecting. Mr. Holstein and his wife began collecting stereographs in the early 1960s after finding approximately 20 in his mother’s home. He soon decided to focus his collecting on images of Philadelphia, the city where he grew up. Buying material from dealers, auctions, antique shows, and most recently e-bay, Mr. Holstein amassed a truly phenomenal collection of Philadelphia views. Contained in the collection are photographs from Philadelphia’s most important late 19th-century photographic studios including those of Robert Newell, James Cremer, Montgomery P. Simons, the Langenheims, and John Moran.

Not surprisingly, familiar landmarks such as Fairmount Park, Independence Hall, and City Hall are well-represented. But what makes the Holstein collection so remarkable are the unusual views it includes: a scene from Chinatown, a horse-and-buggy traffic jam on Dock Street, Cramp’s Shipyard workers, and many, many more. The approximately 500 stereographs of the 1876 Centennial Exposition held in Fairmount Park include the expected views of product displays and exhibition buildings, but also less common scenes showing construction of the fair buildings and display areas, and even a portrait of the exhibition’s chimes ringer in his loft.

In May Curator of Prints and Photographs Sarah Weatherwax received a call from Ray Holstein relaying the happy news that he had decided to donate his collection to the Library Company immediately rather than bequeathing the gift as part of his estate which had been his longstanding intention. A month later, Ms. Weatherwax drove up to the Poconos and brought back boxes filled with the stereographs and related material. In the upcoming months we will begin work on cataloging this wonderful acquisition, gradually making it thoroughly accessible to our researchers. The Library Company is extremely appreciative of Mr. Holstein’s generosity and the significant contribution he has made to our collection.

Please follow the Raymond Holstein Stereograph Collection.