There appears to be an almost infinite variety of Stanhope jewelry items. Unfortunately most fall into the novelty category and were cheaply made. However there are several gold examples with semi precious stones and Stanhopes. These are suspected to be Dagron's (click here to find out more about Rene Dagron) but due to picture degradation it is uncertain. Moreover there is documentation of semi precious stones in brooches being used as the actual magnifying lens. We have not seen such an example, but would love to acquire a specimen for the museum collection. Dagron Stanhopes not made of semi precious stones are still rare and very collectible. Please see several examples in our museum as well as the jewelry mentioned above.

Some of the more commonly found jewelry includes that which was sold at Niagara Falls. These items, though often similar, vary a great deal in size & form. & the range and variety of images found within these stanhopes is great. There are single as well as multi-views. The views can include a simple picture of the falls or even Anna Edison, the first person to go over the falls in a barrel.

Other common jewelry  include religious items like cross pendants and charms. Some of these were made as late as 1970, though it seems that many of these crosses were produced sometime in the 1950's as costume jewelry adorned with rhinestones. There are however many that were made of gold and sterling silver too as well as those early productions that were carved from bone & usually found as part of a rosary. Monoculars & binoculars made of ivory, bone & even mother of pearl were also common. The Lord's Prayer was certainly the most common image followed by the 10 Commandments. There are even some bakelite crosses that incorporated 7 different lenses generally showing the 7 sorrows as a different view in each lens. Other subjects include saints, religious landmarks and more.... Stanhopes that depict religious themes are also to be found in common writing implements and other items not necessarily religious in nature. They are also to be found in different languages like German & Hebrew.