Mechanical Lantern Slide, "A Black Spot on the Moon," 1860-1900
Add to SetSummary
Magic lanterns use a concave mirror and light source to project images on glass slides with painted or photographic scenes. Developed in the 17th century, magic lanterns predate slide projectors and motion pictures. In the hands of magicians, they became "lanterns of fright," projecting wondrous images and apparitions. Slide themes ranged widely: exotic travel, folklore, advertising, history, science, and art.
Magic lanterns use a concave mirror and light source to project images on glass slides with painted or photographic scenes. Developed in the 17th century, magic lanterns predate slide projectors and motion pictures. In the hands of magicians, they became "lanterns of fright," projecting wondrous images and apparitions. Slide themes ranged widely: exotic travel, folklore, advertising, history, science, and art.
Artifact
Lantern slide
Date Made
1860-1900
Creators
Unknown
On Exhibit
By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center
Object ID
2014.0.17.217
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
Material
Brass (Alloy)
Glass (Material)
Wood (Plant material)
Paper (Fiber product)
Technique
Hand-painted
Color
Multicolored
Dimensions
Height: 5 in
Width: 10 in
Length: .625 in
Inscriptions
paper label: un point noir dans la lune [translation: a black dot on the moon]
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