Gezicht op de Jungfernstieg te Hamburg, met op de voorgrond Hotel Sankt Petersburg c. 1860 - 1880

This stereoscopic card, showing a view of the Jungfernstieg in Hamburg with the Hotel Sankt Petersburg, was made by O.J. at an unknown date. Stereoscopic cards like this one were popular in the 19th century as a form of entertainment and education. But beyond that, this image also tells us a lot about the social and cultural context of the time. Hamburg was a major port city in Germany, and the Jungfernstieg was a popular promenade for the wealthy. The Hotel Sankt Petersburg, prominently featured in the foreground, was a symbol of luxury and sophistication. We might think about this photograph as more than just a record of a place. It also reflects the values and aspirations of the society that produced it. Historians might use sources such as city directories, newspaper articles, and travel guides to learn more about the Jungfernstieg and the Hotel Sankt Petersburg. In this way we can uncover the complex interplay of social, economic, and cultural forces that shaped this image and its meaning.