Pamphengos black japanned tin-bodied lantern projector.
W. C. Hughes
Category
Photographic technology
Date
1880 - 1890
Materials
Metal, Brass, Glass, Wick
Measurements
650 x 600 x 4000 mm
Place of origin
London
Collection
Fox Talbot Museum, Wiltshire
NT 1525195.1
Summary
Pamphengos black japanned tin-bodied lantern projector.
Full description
A magic lantern consisting of a black metal body and brass projection unit with glass lenses. There is a brass swivel cover for the front of the projection barrel. There are 2 brass knurled knobs half way down the barrel to allow for focusing. Behind the barrel is a brass slide holder. The base has decorative recurring pattern of dot ventilation holes along both long sides. The rectangular side access doors have a circular pattern of dot ventilation holes, whilst the back door contains a round blue glass viewing window set above an oval cut-out. The chimney is not fixed, with the oval chimney housing featuring two screws which allow a chimney or cowl to be attached, depending on the illuminant used. The illuminant system is separate to the lantern body and slides out, and consists of a four wick paraffin burner, with separate brass control knobs for each wick. To the right of these knobs is a brass filler cap, allowing access to the paraffin reservoir. The body of the illuminant system is metal, with oval glass windows front and rear. There are separate controls for these glass illuminant covers to allow adjustment to the air flow. Markings. Rear door above the blue window, on oval plaque: 'W.C.HUGHES/ OPTICIAN/ BREWSTER HOUSE/ 82. MORTIMER RD/ KINGSLAND RD N/ LONDON.' Three oval inscribed plaques on illuminant: 1. On back wall of fuel resevoir: 'PAMPHENGOS' 2. On back right hand corner floor: 'W.C. HUGHES/PATENT/LONDON' 3. On back centre floor: 'W.C. HUGHES/OPTICIAN/BREWSTER HOUSE/82. MORTIMER RD/KINGSLAND RD N/LONDON'
Provenance
Part of the Fenton Collection. A gift from British Film Institute in 2017. From 1986-1999, part of BFI collection for the Museum of the Moving Image. BFI purchased collection in 1986 from James Fenton's Museum of Photography, Port Erin, Isle of Man 1976-1986
Makers and roles
W. C. Hughes, manufacturer