Optical Toy
1905-1913 (manufactured)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The magic lantern was an early form of projector. They were called magic because the pictures seemed to appear from nowhere and the early projectionists kept their workings secret. The first lanterns were made in the 17th century. They became much more widely available and popular during the 19th century. As well as large lanterns for use in the home or for lectures, several firms produced toy lanterns for children. This is an example of a children's lantern. Its collection of slides was made over several years and includes some home-made ones.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 52 parts.
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| Materials and techniques | Pressed metal, brass and glass |
| Brief description | Pressed metal toy magic lantern with glass slides made in Germany by Georges Carette between 1905 and 1913 |
| Physical description | Metal rectangular box with cylindrical chimney and brass lens casing. Inside is an oil lamp with glass chimney. There are fifty-three rectangular glass slides with the lantern. The box is of card covered with maroon paper, a deep base and shallow lid. Inside the latter on paper is printed the instructions in three languages, German, French and English. |
| Dimensions |
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| Production type | Mass produced |
| Credit line | Given by C. J. Barton |
| Object history | English version of instructions printed inside lid - Directions for using The new magic lantern, which distinguishes itself from all others on account of its clearness, is to be managed in the following manner. In order to produce the pictures perfectly clear and distinctly, the magic lantern is to be placed upon a stead table at about 1 - 2 yards distance from a wall on sheet perfectly white and even. After having carefully cleaned the optical glasses and removed any dust from the metallic mirror the oil lamp may be out in its place in a way that the handle of it is on one side. To geht the pictures quite clear it is necessary to have a pretty large flame. This done, the slides are slid upside down into the lantern. The optical glasses will afterwards be set into the right focus by slowly drawing asunder the tubes. To yield the most surprising effect, the room, in which the performance will take place, must be entirely dark. Besides the slides contained in this lantern there are 3 - 6 special beautiful series. |
| Production | Some slides are by Bing and are later in date |
| Summary | The magic lantern was an early form of projector. They were called magic because the pictures seemed to appear from nowhere and the early projectionists kept their workings secret. The first lanterns were made in the 17th century. They became much more widely available and popular during the 19th century. As well as large lanterns for use in the home or for lectures, several firms produced toy lanterns for children. This is an example of a children's lantern. Its collection of slides was made over several years and includes some home-made ones. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | MISC.67-1978 |
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| Record created | March 5, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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