An antique magic lantern projector, Victorian 1890s; one of two fine examples that I presently have available, both from the workshops of Josiah Chapman of Manchester. Chapman founded his company in 1887 and ran his business from the Scottish Provident Building in Manchester's City Centre (his shop is visible in the lower left hand corner of the old print, just behind the statue of Prince Albert). He made high quality cameras and other optical equipment including magic lanterns. This particular lantern - of unusually large proportions - bears a maker's plate marked 'The British, Josiah T Chapman, Albert Square, Manchester' to the lens board, with it's large brass lens also being similarly engraved. Beautifully hand-made using only the finest, closely grained mahogany, it shows breathtaking craftmanship that is rarely seen today. Focussing is by means of bellows extension, operated by rack and pinion, with fine adjustment by thumbscrew on the lens itself. The lantern comes complete with slide changer and a couple of nice magic lantern slides. This is a professional quality lantern of the kind that would have been used in public venues, rather than for home-use. Though not currently wired for use, it has been tested using an independent light source and found to be in excellent working order, projecting a beautifully crisp image.

At maximum extension it measures 75cm, and it stands 43cm high.

Condition: A superbly made lantern that survives in wonderful condition despite its 130 years or more of age. The woodwork is excellent, still protected by its original French Polish with just a few imperfections. The lens barrel is excellent and the optics are very good indeed with just a few surface marks. The bellows are excellent, possibly replaced. The bellows extension operates correctly, without slippage to the rack and pinion; similarly the focusing control to the lens itself is in perfect working order. The electrical fitting is unlikely to be the original, with most of these old lanterns originally having been lit using highly dangerous limelight burners with great risk of fire. For this reason, very few survive in such good condition. The rear door was probably replaced when the lantern was converted to electricity.