Magic Lantern & Moving Pictures
Magic Lanterns--Without Aladdin or Three Wishes March 17, 1854 Daily Evening Washington Star MAGIC LANTERN FOR SALE—A rare chance, by which any enterprising young man may make from thirty to one hundred dollars a night. We have on hand for sale, a superior second hand Magic Lantern, containing from 150 to 200 religious and other French Paintings. Also, a splendid chromotope, which will be sold a great bargain in if applied this week. DOWNS & HUTCHINSON Penn. Avenue, between 4 ½ and 6 th streets A standard magic lantern. The slides are hand painted onto a thin rectangular glass plate and then slipped between two clear glass plates to protect the painting from scratches. The plates were then set into a thin wood holder with a little brass handle on one end. The slide would be fitted into the holder behind the focusing lens. In the box behind the slide was a light source--a candle, or alcohol lamp or lime light. A hole on the top and the two "doors on each side could be o...