Magic Lanterns, various manufacturers, Germany part 2

Magic Lanterns, various manufacturers
Germany part 2




	Avanti magic lantern with electric lighting. 'Avanti' is the Italian word for 'Come along!' The black-painted metal lantern has a beautiful matching wooden storage box with metal mounting, a wooden slide changer and various wooden frames for different sizes of magic lantern slides. The lantern is clearly designed for electric lighting, because it does not have room for a chimney in the roof, but only ventilation slots. Both side walls have round openings for ventilation. The lamp housing can be slid off the base, after which the lamp can be reached and replaced. The lamp is from Philips, 220 volts. There is also a reflector behind the lamp. The projection lens is from Ed Liesegang, Düsseldorf, Leuko Anastigmat F - 18 cm. The dimensions of the lantern are about 50 cm long, 17 cm wide and 22 cm high when the lens is retracted. Manufacturer: Ed. Liesegang, Düsseldorf, Germany.

Triumph Laterna Magica c. 1890.
An 'Ernst Plank look alike' packed in a box with a label that has the trade name Triumph on it. The magic lantern stands approx. 8" (20.5 cm) tall. Chimney is missing.
More labels.
An almost similar magic lantern that has the trade name Triumpf (now ending with an 'f") on it. The name of the device is spelled as 'Latern Magic'. Dated December 25, 1897. According to a pencil written text on the bottom it was give as a Christmas present to a seven years old boy called Ralph by a certain Charlie.

	Cylindrical magic lantern from the early 1900’s. It is 18" (46 cm) long and 7" tall (18 cm) and has the brand name “ARGO” on its side in gold paint. At the back the electric lamp holder with mains lead and plug. Focusing the lens is done by a 'Schneckengang' (German; literally: snail's pace) system. The "ARGO" was made by Müller & Wetzig in Dresden, Germany. The company produced from around 1900 onwards photographic equipment and a small range of magic lanterns. On many of their products there is the same format of logo: the initials of the company-name "M" & "W" above and below the item name.

A somewhat different, and judging by the lettering and logo, a more recent version of the 'ARGO' magic lantern by Müller & Wetzig in Dresden, Germany. The 'Schneckengang-system' for focusing has been replaced here by the more common rack-and-pinion system. A round cover flap can be turned in front of the lens.


	German magic lantern probably made by the Gebrüder Mittelstrass, Magdeburg, Germany. The light source in the lantern is an interesting carbon arc lamp.
Another magic lantern made by the Gebr. Mittelstrass from Magdeburg, purveyor to the German Emperor.
The design is strongly reminiscent of the lanterns made by the American lantern maker L.J. Marcy. Striking is the aperture control in front of the projection lens.


Simple magic lantern made by C. ECKENRATH, BERLIN, Charlottenstr.29. Height 42 cm. Suitable for 6.5 cm wide slides. Eckenrath was a German stereoscope manufacturer in Berlin, claiming 'the largest and most extensive' stock in Germany. (1860s-1890s)

This small red magic lantern is not marked by the manufacturer. It could have been made by Bing.