Toy Magic Lantern
ca. 1900 (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 example can show both lantern slides and films.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 66 parts.
|
| Materials and techniques | Pressed steel lantern, with celluloid film and glass slides |
| Brief description | Pressed steel lantern with celluloid film and glass slides made in Germany by Ernst Planck in about 1900 |
| Physical description | Blue-grey pressed steel lantern with a curved chimney. Inside is a paraffin lamp. Access to this is gained through a hinged door on which are the initials E P with the firm's trademark. There are fourteen colour films and eighteen black and white ones as well as thirty glass slides. |
| Dimensions | Height: 20cm Width 1: 8cm, large spools Width 2: 20cm Depth: 9cm |
| Production type | Mass produced |
| Marks and inscriptions | Pair of wings, a circle and three stars with the letters E P |
| Credit line | Given by Mrs S. W. C. Cook |
| Production | Black and white films made in England and Italy |
| 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 example can show both lantern slides and films. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | MISC.65 to C-1966 |
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| Record created | March 5, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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