Treasures of pre-cinema history
The magic lantern
Pictures
Mysterious magic lantern 01
The function of the projection device (for which the device is undoubtedly intended through the light source and the lens arrangement) seems all the more inexplicable since any projection medium, whether made of glass, film or any other material, would fall out when the shutter is opened. The empty space between the picture-slot and the body of the lantern only serves the mechanism of the device.
Mysterious magic lantern 09
The handle is missing on the larger gear. The handle can only be moved back and forth, but not rotated.
Mysterious magic lantern 10
The shutter is closed when the spring is out of tension.
Mysterious magic lantern 11
When the tension spring is tightened, the shutter opens.