Magic lantern -episcopes and epidiascopes

Episcopes and epidiascopes
part1

Optical arrangement of a slide projector(above) and an episcope (below). An episcope is an optical device for projecting flat opaque images, like postcards, prints, photographs, pages of books, but also three-dimensional objects like coins, insects and leaves, on to a screen. The object is usually placed upside down, mostly at the rear of the lantern, sometimes at the bottom or top, as the image will be inverted by the projection lens. An intense light, often from two sources, illuminates the object from the sides. A part of the reflected light passes the projecting lens which projects an image on to the screen. An epidiascope is a projector for showing both transparent slides and opaque objects. This combination of functions made the epidiascope the ideal projector for schools. Around 1900 Butcher & Sons released sets of cards for episcopic projection, featuring pictures also used for their 'Primus' slide series. The lettering was in reverse, as the image was reversed on projection. Nowadays episcopes are still in use by painters and drawers for copying or enlarging drawings by tracing the projected image.
	Simple episcope, Gebrüder Bing, Nuremberg c. 1900. The postcard holder at the back can be shifted aside, to reach the lamp. The light of the lamp is reflected by a mirror inside. Japanned tin with a red painted piping and a 'GBN Bavaria' emblem on the roof. Dimensions: 13 x 7.5 x 6 inches (33 x 19 x 14.5 cm).	Combined normal magic lantern and episcope, made by Gebrüder Bing, Nuremberg. Inside a manoeuvrable mirror, adjustable from the top outside by a fluted knob, to lead the light of the electric lamp through the lens of the lantern or via the opaque picture at the back through the lens of the episcope.

		Two Mirroscope episcopes made in the USA by the Buckeye Stereopticon Co., Cleveland, Ohio (trade mark decal at the top).

	Delagrave Lampadorama. Delagrave, Paris, Soufflot 15, produced this attractive epidiascope in 3 different colours (red, brown, black) and 3 different decorations that have no connexion with the colours however. The gold painted Chinese looking decorations are not originally Chinese. The overall dimensions are 33 x 18 x 30cm. Delagrave applied for a patent for this lantern in 1882, under the name 'Lampadorama' (brevetée S.G.D.G., en forgeant fait le fevre 1882) Unfortunately the small caps on the chimneys are missing.	Mirroscope Early Postcard Viewer


H.C.White & Co. Radioptican Inside reads, Radioptican, North Bennington, Vermont USA..H. C. White. trimmed in gold. Size Aprox. 14" x 15" x 13.25" This one has a twin picture holder at the back, so that one postcard can be shown while the next one is prepared by inserting in the free half of the holder. (photo right)	Radio Junior postcard projector made by H.C. White & Co. (USA, c. 1920)

Edison Mazda Pictograph. Portable episcope in red hammer-scale lacquer, made by Edison Manufacturing Company, New Jersey, USA.	Episcope made by Ernst Plank (E.P.) Germany. There is a door on either side, secured by a tiny handle, to reach the two small oil lamps. On the back is a two-sided panel, 2.5" X 3.75", on a wire frame which permits it to swivel, to hold the opaque picture. The lantern is approx. 17.75" high x 9.5" wide x 6.5" deep. The lens tube is 7.5" long and 3" in diameter, with a brass flange at the front.

Episcope, trade mark unknown. On the back a small plate with the text 'CAPI - Groningen (Dutch retailer of photographic equipment).	Wide spread plastic episcope from the 1950s, made by DUX, Germany, intended to be placed upon a magazine or postcard and for that reason equipped with a handy handle (on the other side).

One of the best known epidiascopes is the 'Janus', made by Ed. Liesegang, c.1925, Düsseldorf, Germany. An improved version is this 'Trajanus', equipped with two lamps in stead of one. The opaque object or image rests on a metal sheet at the bottom of the lantern, which can be moved up and down by an ingenious lever system that holds the metal sheet always in a horizontal position.	Epidiascope 'Trajanus', made by Ed Liesegang, Düsseldorf, Germany.;
More episcopes....