1889 Paris Exposition dissolving view magic lantern slides

A collection of three glass magic lantern slides depicting the magnificent central dome at the 'Exposition Universelle Internationale' world trade fair held in Paris in 1889. Two of the slides are of the rare 'dissolving view' type, whereby the impression of time passing was achieved by fading one image into another similar - in this case with day turning to night. Click here to see what the transition looks like. All three slides are hand tinted and annotated, one bearing a label 'Painted by Newton & Co, 3 Fleet Street, London' and the two transitional slides being marked 'Photographic Effect'.

The slides which are made of glass and in the standard 3¼ x 3¼" format, give a wonderful glimpse into an age of great national pride and innovation. At the event 61,000 exhibitors, nearly half of which were French, showcased their products to 32 million visitors. Tragically, most of the buildings, many of which were built on military land or the city's parks and open spaces, were subsequently removed. The Dome Central - the subject of these magic lantern slides - was 100ft in diameter and surmounted by a 30ft statue representing France.