I'm always looking for straight-ahead old photos of object displays, salesman samples, and the like, but it's rare that I find one. As per the printing on the back, this stereoview, c. 1874, documents a medal-winning display of "Double Expansion Twist Shuttle Spindles" (used for weaving on a loom) at the Mechanic's Fair in Boston, MA.  A pretty excellent looking display, too, with a trio of shuttles of two sizes flanking what I believe are two winders and then two wound bobbins at the far ends--together creating quite a beautiful play of lines and forms, all the better in the double. And nice that one (albumen) photo was printed more darkly than the other, almost as if the one at left were a reflection in the glass.

6 15/16 x 3 7/8 and in very good antique condition.