A magic lantern projector of wood and brass construction with an impressive triple-extension lens housing an 8" projection lens. This late Victorian example dating to around 1880 is fitted with twin doors with ebonised detail, has a substantial brass handle to each side and a double-fluted tinplate chimney. With lens extended it measures an impressive 79cm long and stands 43cm high. It is sold complete with a slide carrier and a couple of Victorian glass lantern slides in the standard 3¼" format. Fitted with the correct illuminant, this lantern would be capable of delivering quite a large image, suitable for use in large venues such as public halls.

Condition: A great example of its type, this lantern does show a little age-related wear. The woodwork retains its original French Polish, for the most part still retaining excellent colour and shine with minor heat blistering around the doors. There is a piece of trim missing to the lower front and rear of the lamp chamber, and also a small loss to the upper front corner of the left door. The centre rear panel has likely been replaced. The brasswork is mostly very good, again still with its original protective lacquer with just a few minor blemishes. The triple extension lens barrel components are a tight fit (a good thing!) and somewhat stiff in operation. The focusing mechanism operates smoothly, without slippage or resistance. The 8" objective is very good, with nice clear optics. The swing-out lens cover is a little loose. The tinplate liner to the lamp chamber has surface rust and the aperture to the rear has been widened -somewhat crudely - at some stage. The slide carrier and lantern slides are both in good order. Internally, there is no light source, just a mirror on a stand, the mirror with some foxing. However, the lantern has been tested using an independent light source and has been found to be in good working order, giving a large, crisp image. It would be an ideal candidate for fitting a modern, halogen lamp for recreating the lantern shows of years gone by.