VICTORIAN MAGIC LANTERN, 1900's

The large lens suggests that the magic lantern was used in theatres as it would need to be positioned a great distance from the screen. Illumination was by Carbon Arc (a high voltage such as ordinary mains voltage jumping between two carbon rods; a device was later incorporated to prevent overload). The slides were standard three and a quarter inch glass plates, often hand painted, or transparent positive photographs.

Your comments:

• I have a small limelight burner that was also used in early magic lanterns when a bright image was required before carbon arcs.
  .......... Neil Goodwin, England, 15th of December 2010
  
  

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