Absentee bids let you place your maximum bid on an item before the live auction begins. During the live show, we’ll continue bidding on your behalf up to your max bid — just like leaving a bid with a traditional auctioneer.
When you place an absentee bid, you’ll choose a bid strategy. Your chosen strategy determines how the current bid will be set at the time your bid is placed. Your maximum bid always remains confidential.
The available strategies are:
🐢 Slow & Steady — starts your bid low and lets others chase you.
⚡💥 Power Bid — starts at about half your max to show intent without revealing your top number.
♥️♠️ All In ♦️♣️ — sets the current bid to your full bid amount right away.
The current bid shown on each lot reflects all confirmed absentee bids and updates automatically as new bids come in.
When the live auction starts, bidding will begin at the current bid. The auctioneer will continue bidding on behalf of absentee bidders up to their max bids.
Because absentee bids can arrive seconds apart, the current bid you see may not always include bids still being processed. Refresh the page for the most up-to-date information.
For our full absentee bid policy, please click here.
Bidding Quick Facts
How bidding works
All items have a minimum bid of $1.00.
When "No Bids" is displayed, it means no absentee bids have been placed on this item yet.
Once bids are placed, the current bid will be displayed instead.
For more information on the bidding process, please click here.
Bid Successfully Submitted!
Your absentee bid for Lot 006 - Antique A. Becker Patent Stereoscope Viewer, New York, April 7, 1857, Dark-Stained Wood With Dual Rotating Card Mechanism And Two-Flap Silver-Painted Lid, 15-1/4" H was successfully submitted—thank you for bidding with us!
The current bid displayed will not update immediately. You will receive a confirmation email shortly.
You may continue to place additional bids.
For our full absentee bid policy, please review the Auction Rules.
Confirm Bid
Lot 006 - Antique A. Becker Patent Stereoscope Viewer, New York, April 7, 1857, Dark-Stained Wood With Dual Rotating Card Mechanism And Two-Flap Silver-Painted Lid, 15-1/4" H
Lot 006 - Antique A. Becker Patent Stereoscope Viewer, New York, April 7, 1857, Dark-Stained Wood With Dual Rotating Card Mechanism And Two-Flap Silver-Painted Lid, 15-1/4" H
Antique stereoscope viewer constructed of dark-stained wood with scalloped decorative borders between the base, middle, and lid sections, featuring a dual rotating card mechanism with approximately 50 stereoscopic cards mounted on 25 double-sided flips. The hinged top opens in two silver-painted flaps along the center, one underside marked "5214" and "A. Becker’s J. Lee Mr. NY April 7 Patent 1857." Black-painted eye cups and turn handles show wear with paint remnants; one eye cup is missing from one side. Scattered chips and surface wear throughout consistent with age and handling. Functional and operates smoothly. Includes stereocards shown with viewer.