Historical information

This magic lantern or slide projector was used to project glass slides on to a screen The magic lantern was the chief visual entertainment for the public before the introduction of the moving picture and consequent cinema entertainment. This one probably dates from about 1915 but its provenance is not known.

Significance

This magic lantern is an important and interesting object as it shows us the way people in the early 20th century were entertained. The few people who owned this type of projector would give public showings of slides of people and scenes and sometimes raise money for a charitable cause in this way.

Physical description

This is a glass slide projector or magic lantern with a rectangular metal lantern body partly open at the back. The back has a top section that is attached with a metal hinge and lifts up and outwards. The lantern base also has a side opening with a metal knob for opening and a metal panel with a blue glass inset. Inside the lantern body is the lamp and an electric cord (the illuminant system may have originally been fuelled by paraffin or another oil burner). On top of the lantern body is a smaller rectangular metal box in two sections. This can be removed. The illuminant system is brass and slides out. It has two mechanisms for adjusting the focus and a covering over the lens opening which can be pulled up. There is also a wooden slide holder which can be pulled in and out of the projector.

Inscriptions & markings

‘W.B. British Made’