Magic lantern - Chromatropes


Chromatropes

The amazing, dazzling effects that are produced by the chromatrope remind us of the kaleidoscope of our childhood. The mostly cardboard tube contained two plane mirrors, set at an angle of 60° to one another, and multiple fragments of coloured glass or paper. When rotated, this simple device produced wonderful symmetrical patterns that changed continuously. The chromatrope uses two discs of glass painted with abstract patterns, which rotate in opposite directions to produce similar images on the screen. The pattern appears to spread out from the centre of the screen, or move in towards the centre, depending on the direction of rotation of the discs.
	Double pulley slide. Early form of a chromatrope. Two rotating discs of glass carrying the colourful patterns are driven by a string linkage from a pulley wheel, turned by a small handle. The string forms a double loop, crossing over itself between the wheel and the glass discs so that the glasses rotate in opposite directions.

	Two double pulley chromatropes, the left one very old, the right one more recent.
Rackwork mechanism. Because the pulley chromatrope was rather fragile and difficult to construct it was superseded in the mid-19th century by a rackwork mechanism. The glass discs were framed in a toothed brass ring. The revolving of the glasses was achieved by means of a ratchet within the frame, placed between the two toothed rings and operated by a handle. Though some lanternists prefer pulley driven chromatropes so far as speed and smoothness of rotation are concerned, a rackwork system is more reliable. In the course of years strings can snap or hang loosely, causing a sudden stop or slipping during the show.
	A superb English rackwork chromatrope from around 1880. The frame is made of mahogany. Glasses are fixed in a brass setting and the handle is made in brass and wood. All measure 6.5 "x 3.9" (16.5 x 10 cm) without the handle. On both sides the name of the maker is engraved: "NEWTON 3 FLEET St LONDON".
Two disassembled chromatrope discs, mounted in a toothed metal ring.	The 1906 Bing Toy Catalogue. The colourful patterns on the glass discs were mostly hand painted. Cheaper forms were transfer-printed by chromolithography.
Simple rackwork chromatrope from c. 1880. The frame is made of mahogany, size: 4.3" x 2" (11 x 5 cm) without the crank.

Also interchangeable chromatrope sets have been produced. They consisted of a rackwork frame and a number of discs to fit it. So the lanternist was able to assemble his own combinations and to project a lot of different designs using the same mechanism.

Box containing six excellent sets of English hand painted chromatrope discs. Each set consists of two identical glasses; each disc is 3 1/8" (8 cm) in diameter.
	Chromatropes could incorporate static central pictures or texts like the words 'Welcome', 'Good Night' or 'Seasons Greetings', to use as an introduction or closing of the show.
Also movable objects could be depicted in the centre however, like a working windmill. When the crank is turned a detailed kaleidoscopic pattern is created in sparkling colours. As the apparent pattern turns in one direction the vanes of the windmill rotate in the opposite direction. The windmill is set in the foreground of a miniature painting with a lake, hills and sky, with boats on the lake and tiny figures on the steps of the mill. All this a little over one inch in diameter.
Very unusual 19th century French single rackwork slide.	Pieces of glass and brass gauze sandwiched between glass giving a kaleidoscope effect when the handle is turned. Size about 7" x 4" (18 x 10 cm). Though not really a chromatrope, it creates a comparable effect on the screen.