A rare and bustling street scene outside Alden’s photography studio in Providence, Rhode Island, captured in stereoscopic format. The image presents an extraordinary view of the studio’s exterior, adorned with large painted signage advertising “Alden’s Patent Pictures, Photographs, Ferrotypes,” and emphasizing their unique process. The storefront is flanked by two photographic wagons, their sides painted with bold lettering to draw in customers, one reading “Alden’s Pictures Rooms, New York, Troy, Saratoga Springs, Providence, R.I., Springfield, Mass.”

Groups of men, women, and children are gathered in front of the establishment, some posed near display boards featuring example portraits, while others stand casually, suggesting the photograph may have been taken during a busy day of operation. The scene offers a remarkable record of a traveling photographic enterprise during the mid-to-late 19th century, illustrating the competitive nature of the photographic trade and its intersection with American urban life.

The verso bears two notes of provenance, a green ink stamp indicating this stereoview was previously in the “Robert Dennis Stereo” collection, along with a rubber stamped Alden studio imprint indicating this operations in Saratoga Springs and Providence, Rhode Island.