1897 Magic Lantern Cinematograph book early cinema Modern Magic Lanterns For Sale
When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
1897 Magic Lantern Cinematograph book early cinema Modern Magic Lanterns:
$80.15
Stage Memories My Ebay previously trading as: Entertainment Memorabilia and other collectable curiosities
Terms & Conditions | About Me
THIS IS NOT AN E-BOOK OR REPRINT. There are many reprints of this rare little book available on the internet, mostly of later editions, but this is a GUARANTEED vintage paperback published in the latter half of 1897.
The book is titled on the cover, “Modern Magic Lanterns and their Management”, but the title page gives a more complete title as shown! It was published by L. Upcott Gill of London, and written by R. Child Bayley, who in his preface explains that he had written the book to fill a gap, having been unable to find any such practical guide on the market. With 104 numbered pages (excluding adverts) and dozens of diagrams and engravings, the book explains the practicalities of presenting a magic lantern show. However, 1897 was an exciting period, and a whole chapter is devoted to “Animated Lantern Pictures”, i.e. early cinema. Advertisers had also noticed the change, so along with many wonderful lanterns on display in the ads, there are also early film projectors, cameras, and ads from film producers. These adverts provide the dating evidence, as the book has no printed date of publication. The Queen’s Jubilee procession and garden party movies are both advertised, events which took place in the Summer of 1897. Another advert lists lantern slides for the 1897-98 season, suggesting that the book was published before the commencement of 1898, and certainly not as late as 1900 (which appears to be the date of most of the e-book versions). Companies and machines which are advertised include: Archer & Sons; W.C. Hughes; Moto-Photoscope & Moto Bijou Camera; Ross Ltd; R. R. Beard’s Cinematographe; Benetfink & Co; Chatham Pexton; Bamforth; C. W. Locke; “Optimus”; W. Watson; Motorgraph; Walter Tyler & Wood’s slides. The back cover has an ad for “Hughes’ Marvellous Pamphengos”.
Condition: The cover is chipped, with missing sections and a strip of old tape down one edge. It is darkened with age, and the original owner has written his name in the top corner, but the central image of a lantern in operation is complete. The paper on the spine is missing completely. The front cover and next page are almost loose, just hanging on to the spine at the top. The back cover is age-toned, with some staining and chipping. Someone has even used it to do some sums in the margin! Internally the book appears complete and clean. Every magic lantern and cinematograph enthusiast should have an original copy of this rare little book in their collection. Read an e-book version by all means, but display this copy!
Please see my other current items here.
Stage Memories has been trading in theatre memorabilia & other collectable items for over ten years. Full contact details of my company, including an email address, can be found by clicking on the “contact details” tab in the “Business seller information” section below.
By bidding on this auction it is assumed that you have read, and agreed to, my Terms & Conditions of sale. These answer a host of FAQs. Please pay particular attention to the notes regarding shipping insurance if you are considering bidding over £20 for this item.
Powered by eBay Turbo Lister
