Sorts of magic lanterns - Toy or children's magic lanterns.

		Sorts of Magic Lanterns. Toy Magic Lanterns
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Toy magic lanterns or children's lanterns. These magic lanterns have small dimensions, have a plain construction and were cheap. They originally were provided with a candle or a small oil lamp as source of light. They are only suitable for showing small magic lantern slides of about 2 till 4 cm wide. The majority of the toy lanterns was made in Germany, in or in the neighbourhood of the 'toy town' Neurenberg. Some famous manufacturers are Ernst Plank, Georg Carette, Max Dannhorn, Johann Falk, Jean Schoener and the Gebrüder Bing. Also in France much small magic lanterns were produced, most of them by the manufacturers Lapierre and Aubert.

Because of the wide variety of magic lanterns it is almost impossible to classify them in categories. There will always be borderline cases and exceptions and we always could class many of them under several groups. Besides many models were launched in several sizes and in that case we could classify the smaller ones as toy lanterns and the bigger ones as parlour lanterns. Nevertheless we will have a try. Toy lanterns or Children's lanterns. These magic lanterns have small dimensions, have a plain construction and were cheap. They originally were provided with a candle or a small oil lamp as source of light. They are only suitable for showing small magic lantern slides of about 2 till 4 cm wide. Parlour lanterns. These lanterns are already a bit larger, have a more solid construction and are consequently more expensive. Because of the larger and more dangerous oil lamps they must not be considered as a toy. Larger lanterns. The kind of magic lanterns that were used to present lectures in large rooms and for teaching students at schools or university. Plural lanterns. These lanterns were mostly made of wood and brass and consisted of two or three single lanterns that were placed on top of each other or sometimes placed side by side. Thus amazing effects could be performed, like dissolving views. Special lanterns. By this we understand among other things the magic lanterns that are able to show not alone glass magic lantern slides, but also films or non-translucent cards or films, like the cinematographs and episcopes. Also remarkable lanterns like the lamposcope and the street lantern are classed here. Fancy lanterns. An exclusive category is build by magic lanterns that are not recognisable as a magic lantern at first sight because they are disguised as something else, like a Buddha, a mosque or an Eiffel tower.		Very simple toy lantern for children.
	A magic lantern as simple as it can be. The small lamp house leans on two metal stands that hold the 4.5 V battery which feeds the small bulb at the back. Switching the little lamp on and off is done by simply shifting the battery to and fro. Suitable for magic lantern slide of 3 cm width.
		Toy magic lantern in the original box, made by Ernst Plank (small plate with the trade mark 'E.P.' at the front stand), type 'Solid'. The model was produced in some different sizes. This lantern measures: long c. 20 cm, wide 8 cm, high 23 cm. The wooden base board measures 17 x 8 cm. This lantern is suitable for showing magic lantern slides of 4 cm width. In the wooden box twelve of these slides were supplied with the lantern. They were stowed away in two compartments at the sides of the box and were separated from each other by means of grooves in a wooden log to prevent damage. Dimensions of the chest are c. 27 x 18,5 x 9 cm. The chest was covered by marbled paper. (see also Magic lanterns Ernst Plank)
		Wooden box containing twelve magic lantern slides for this kind of magic lanterns. Manufacturer is E.P. Also the magic lantern slides were made en sold in several sizes. Sometimes the slides also had a version with an extra cover glass for protection. Smaller and cheaper slides hardly ever had such a protecting glass. The slides nearly always had a frame of coloured paper around the edges. Sizes of the depicted slides are 15 x 4 cm.
	Ca 1900, Georg Carette & Co. type 244, complete with the original cardboard box. This magic lantern was also produced in several sizes. (see also: Magic Lanterns Georg Carette) The smaller ones can be regarded as toy lanterns. Usually a manual in several languages was pasted inside the box on the lid.

		Small and simple magic lantern (24 cm tall), made of blued tin and provided with an oil lamp. No identifying marks of the manufacturer on the lantern. Suitable for magic lantern slide of 3 cm wide. At the side an upwards hinged door.
		Magic lantern slide Gebrüder Bing.
	French magic lanterns are usually many coloured with a transparent alcohol lacquer. This magic lantern made by the Lapierre brothers was also provided in several sizes. The smaller ones can be regarded as toy lanterns. Also the French magic lantern slide are immediately recognizable by their special style. (see also: Magic Lanterns Lapierre) Magic lantern slide Lapierre.
	French magic lantern slides are often provided with captures; in handwriting and placed in a separate box.
		Some manufacturers produced a toy magic lantern in the form of a flashlight, together with an attachment by which magic lantern slides could be projected. This blue Premo magic lantern is "Made In Czechoslovakia". The battery holder measures 7.5 x 7.5 cm, the total length is 16.5 cm. A spare lens was supplied for the use as a flashlight. A similar flashlight magic lantern was a part of the 'Mickey Mouse Toy Lantern Outfit' made by the English company Ensign Ltd. This lantern was particularly meant for slide with Disney-figures.

	Small toy magic lantern made of tin with a shiny black finish. It is 5" in height and 7.5" in length to the end of the lens ( 12.5 x 19 cm). On top is a hinging clip that fastens the drop down door. Unknown manufacturer.
	A small magic lantern made by E.P. In the back a holder for a flashlight bulb is fixed, which could be connected by wires to a battery. The upper side is completely closed; because of the scanty heat growth no chimney is needed. The magic lantern is only 16 cm tall and 18.5 cm long, incl. the lens. Suitable for magic lantern slide of 3 cm wide. E.P. mark shield on the upwards hinged door.
		One step forward is the magic lantern that was particular made for electric lighting. In the roof of this lantern an electric socket for a light bulb is fitted. The socket can be adjusted in height. In the hinged door the trade mark of Leonard Müller is pressed, the intertwined initials L and M. Also this magic lantern is suitable for magic lantern slides of 3 cm width.

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