Dancing Naked on the Head of a Pin: The Early History of Microphotography

Summary

With the enormous popularity of Stanhopes, and the increased number of manufacturers, it was possible to buy microscopic photographs in almost any item. These included watch keys, bracelet charms, brooches, needle cases, manicure sets, letter openers, pipes, rings, crucifixes, pocketknives, rattles, and even, in one reported case, a bullet. The images showed the typically popular subjects of the era — important landmark buildings, for example, or portraits of family and royalty. But a microscopic image hidden in a personal item, known only to its owner, naturally lent itself to one other subject, a subject that the photo journals of the day described as “indecent”, “lewd”, or “objectionable”. In a perfect match of format and subject, some Stanhopes also contained tiny nude images and depictions of sex.