Magic lantern
Ernst Plank
Category
Technological items
Date
circa 1866
Materials
Wood, glass and metal, paper, wax
Measurements
200 mm (length of lantern); 88 mm (width of lantern); 198 mm (height of lantern); 340 mm (width of box); 132 mm (height of box); 232 mm (depth of box)
Place of origin
Germany
Order this imageCollection
Sudbury Hall Museum of Childhood, Derbyshire
NT 659979
Summary
A dark grey metal magic lantern (circa 1866) with a detached door, removable glass bulb, candle, candlestick and 10 magic lantern slides all housed in an original magic lantern wooden box. The box is covered in black paper. A colour printed paper label stuck onto the hinged lid reads 'LANTERNA MAGICA' and depicts a group of people enjoying a magic lantern show. A pink paper label of instructions is stuck to the inside of the lid. The interior of the box is divided into three compartments. Two of which are very narrow and each hold five lantern slides standing on edge in slots. The central compartment houses the magic lantern, the tapering glass bulb, candle and circular metal candlestick with a short rod in the centre. The magic lantern consists of a rectangular metal box supported on 4 gold coloured metal clawed feet. The hinged door has become detached. In the centre of the door is a gold coloured embossed oval shaped logo incorporating a wheel flanked by wings. Underneath is written 'E.P.' and 'MADE IN GERMANY' in embossed letters. On top of the rectangular metal box is a pierced chimney in gold coloured metal. At the front of the box is a circular glass lens attached to some metal casing which would presumbably hold an adjustable glass lens which is now missing. The floor of the metal box contains three holes, one of which is large. The back of the box is pierced with ventilation slots near the floor. The 10 rectangular glass lantern slides are all edged with orange paper. In the corner of each appear the letters 'E.P.'. Each slide depicts a sequence of pictures. These are as follows: people buying gifts in the snow; 4 roundels of different places; a child wearing a paper hat marching and making music; figures outside enjoying a snow scene; 4 figures wearing costume appropriate to their profession; children playing near a river; a multi-coloured train near a station; ships at sea; 4 caricature heads and shoulders; and a continuous circus scene. Total number of items is sixteen
Marks and inscriptions
Pink label inside lid: Gegrundet 1866/ FABRIK-MARKE/ MADE IN GERMANY
Makers and roles
Ernst Plank, manufacturer