Vienna Grand Opera House

The photo is the Vienna Grand Opera House in Wien, Austria. Construction of this building began in 1861 and was completed in 1869. The building was built using many types of stone that were not commonly found in the region. The opening premiere was on May 25, 1869. It was a piece by Mozart called Don Giovanni. Emperor Franz Josef and Empress Elisabeth (Sissi) were present.The image is titled

     WIEN above the image
     GROSSE OPER below the image
     MADE IN FRANCE is at the bottom

Antique microphoto glass cliché was made in France in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries. Each microphoto was made directly on the glass plate. Each 4 inch x 5 inch glass plate was comprised of several hundred of the same microphoto. This larger plate was then hand scored and cut to make the individual photos for use in the manufacturing of stanhopes. Each microphoto cliche is approximately 3mm x 3mm or about an 1/8" square. In most cases we have a few examples of each and as they have been stored for nearly a century, the conditions vary. Some of the cliches may have scratches or other maladies. Because microphotography is very exacting and complex, even the finest made microphotos can have faults. In general, they are very nice and certainly useable for study or could be used for stanhope repairs. They should be considered rare, as such microphotos seldom escaped the stanhope manufacturing workshops. They are a wonderful curiosity and historical artifact.