Post by brass on Mar 18, 2011 20:59:40 GMT -5
Fellows – It’s been a bit quiet here lately so I'm posting something that, though not buffalo hunting related, is Victorian material culture that you might find interesting.
Below you’ll see a couple later Victorian era magic lanterns. These work surprisingly well and project a brighter-than-expected image on white canvas, white wall, white sheet, etc. The key isn’t just finding magic lanterns – which can vary from the inexpensive types pictured below to those that are truly high quality with excellent lenses – is to find glass slides that are interesting and that fit the lantern. Period slides varied in size so all slides don't fit every lantern. Magic lantern slides aren’t the sort of thing that survived the journey through history well and are somewhat hard to find. Additionally, since magic lanterns are highly collectible, they can be pricey so finding one for under $100 is generally a good deal (and slides aren't cheap either). On the subject of slides, I figured out a way to make my own and will incorporate some of my tinype images and misc Victorian illustrations on them to make my own slide shows. Thank goodness for high quality printer transparencies – cut to fit and attached to glass substrates these work well to make ‘reproduction' slides. When I get enough time to make a complete slide series I’ll let you know.
The lantern on the left is German made and is a rare find since not only is the small oil lamp still inside, but it still has the original clear mica chimney. Though there are a few cracks in the mica it still draws fairly well and projects a decent bright light. The lantern on the right is somewhat of a mystery as the metal maker tag is missing from the door though it is a close match to one shown in the 1886 Peck & Snyder sporting goods catalog. Luckily the lamp base was still in the lantern when I bought it though I had to get a small repro glass chinney for it. One thing to note about magic lanterns: Once you get the lamp lit and adjusted, the lens focused and everything ready for a slide show, make sure you’re wearing a leather glove on one hand in the event you have to move or otherwise handle the lantern – those puppies get friggin’ HOT with the lamp burning inside. Though this may seem like an obvious thing I found out the hard way, it is a period sort of thing to know for sure.
Below are a couple pictures of different types of glass slide close-ups so you get an idea of what projections would look like. Next time I fire up one of my lanterns I’ll take a couple pictures of projected images so you get an idea of clarity and brightness.
So there you have it, very period parlour entertainment for the old west era and something that most people back then would likely have been familiar with.
Brass
Below you’ll see a couple later Victorian era magic lanterns. These work surprisingly well and project a brighter-than-expected image on white canvas, white wall, white sheet, etc. The key isn’t just finding magic lanterns – which can vary from the inexpensive types pictured below to those that are truly high quality with excellent lenses – is to find glass slides that are interesting and that fit the lantern. Period slides varied in size so all slides don't fit every lantern. Magic lantern slides aren’t the sort of thing that survived the journey through history well and are somewhat hard to find. Additionally, since magic lanterns are highly collectible, they can be pricey so finding one for under $100 is generally a good deal (and slides aren't cheap either). On the subject of slides, I figured out a way to make my own and will incorporate some of my tinype images and misc Victorian illustrations on them to make my own slide shows. Thank goodness for high quality printer transparencies – cut to fit and attached to glass substrates these work well to make ‘reproduction' slides. When I get enough time to make a complete slide series I’ll let you know.
The lantern on the left is German made and is a rare find since not only is the small oil lamp still inside, but it still has the original clear mica chimney. Though there are a few cracks in the mica it still draws fairly well and projects a decent bright light. The lantern on the right is somewhat of a mystery as the metal maker tag is missing from the door though it is a close match to one shown in the 1886 Peck & Snyder sporting goods catalog. Luckily the lamp base was still in the lantern when I bought it though I had to get a small repro glass chinney for it. One thing to note about magic lanterns: Once you get the lamp lit and adjusted, the lens focused and everything ready for a slide show, make sure you’re wearing a leather glove on one hand in the event you have to move or otherwise handle the lantern – those puppies get friggin’ HOT with the lamp burning inside. Though this may seem like an obvious thing I found out the hard way, it is a period sort of thing to know for sure.
Below are a couple pictures of different types of glass slide close-ups so you get an idea of what projections would look like. Next time I fire up one of my lanterns I’ll take a couple pictures of projected images so you get an idea of clarity and brightness.
So there you have it, very period parlour entertainment for the old west era and something that most people back then would likely have been familiar with.
Brass
