Treasures of pre-cinema history

The magic lantern

Wilhelm (Willy) Hagedorn, Berlin

The beginnings of the "Nebelbilderfabrik" (dissolving view lanterns) of the plumber Wilhelm (Willi) Hagedorn lies in the dark. Presumably, Hagedorn took over the workshop of a certain Mr. Bengen around 1875 and immediately began manufacturing dissolving view (biunial-) lanterns and -slides in his "factory". Around 1883 Hagedorn founded an institute for glass paintings (Institut für Glasmalerei). The production of magic lanterns and pictures probably ended with the beginning of the First World War. The company itself continues to manufacture stage lights into the 1960s.

Collections

Lantern 01

Date:

c. 1880

Maker:

Wilhelm Hagedorn

Place of Origin:

Berlin

Materials/Techniques:

Tinplate / Glass

Dimensions:

Length: 250 mm, Width: 160 mm, Height 250 mm