‘premier’ cinema magic lantern with High voltage Carbon Arc burner
An absolutely enormous magic lantern of heavy steel construction, fitted with a high voltage carbon arc illuminant and incredibly long lens. It is believed to have come from an old cinema, where magic lanterns were still used for screening static advertisements long after the advent of the moving picture. It measures a staggering 102cm long, of which 71cm is the lens. It is 46cm high. The carbon arc lamp is is marked 'Premier' to the stand and numbered 179. Its controls are fitted with bakelite handles, which can be turned to adjust the height, elevation, angle and separation of the carbon rods. It measures 34cm x 24cm high.