Narrative Stereographs
Stereograph creators also made visual narratives to tell light-hearted and tongue-in-cheek stories like the ones below. According to Alan Trachtenberg in 1989, stereographs like these were, "the first universal system of visual communication before cinema and television."
This World Series Set focuses on a light-hearted battle between two friends called "an Affair of Honor." From top to bottom we have
Ready for the parley
The successful thrust
Honor satisfied
This story from the Whiting View Company tells the tale of a cheating husband's big mistake. The titles, read in order are thus:
The cook is happy, you can see, she rather likes this family.
The reason is not hard to find, the master is so good and kind.
He says, “My dear, I find your eyes, more tempting even than your pies.”
Jones thinks this the supreme event, towards which all Creation bent.
“my wife is calling, do not fear, mum’s the word you little dear.”
“ Hands! Hands!” Cries Mrs. Jones aghast, as through the room her husband past.
Poor Jones is caught, his cake is dough, and now the cook is told to go.
“Good-bye, Mr. Jones, I hope you’ll find, another cook with eyes like mine.”
The next cook’s face is no offence, it hides a smiling providence.
In this our closing view you see, the Jones as happy as can be.