Case of Stuffed Birds, Striking and Evocative Albumen Stereoview. c. 1870, John Soule, Boston flower vase which fit in the holes

which fit in the holes perfectly

except for a hook

19 3/8" w x 14 7/8" t x 7 1/2" d

The gentleness with which the figure holds the seal seems to me almost akin to as if holding a child

Case of Stuffed Birds, Striking and Evocative Albumen Stereoview. c. 1870, John Soule, Boston flower vase which fit in the holesIt was the owls that first drew me to this c. 1870 stereoview, but then, with the help of the caption "Case of stuffed birds" printed below, I realized that these owls were housed in dense diorama populated by many many other species of birds (the closer one looks, the more one finds; they're tucked in there everywhere!) And so to me this feels as if an embodiment of the magic of an owl and its world, wonders only exposed with the power of night