Magic Lantern - Colourful labels part 2: the others

Colourful labels
part 2: the others.

Many well known toy manufacturers had their residence in the German town of Nuremberg (Nürnberg). Among them were the brothers Ignaz and Adolf Bing, Georg Carette, Max Dannhorn, Johann Falk, Jean Schoenner, Leonard Müller and of course Ernst Plank. The pleasant, homey scenes which are pictured on their labels, could, unfortunately, never be beheld in reality. Due to the weak light sources in the magic lantern, the performances always had to take place in pitch-darkness.

	A label on the inside of this attractive box reveals the supplier of the lantern: a certain Adler. The lantern is 'Made in Germany'. The label promises that the lantern is 'Kinderleicht einzustellen', and further 'Mit dieser Laterna Magica kann man bei 2 Meter Entfernung von der Wand bequem ein 80 ctm gross Bild produzieren' (A child can operate this lantern. At a distance of 2 m from the wall the projected image is 80 cm tall).

Probably one of the earliest labels of Georg Carette. The directions for use stuck inside the wooden box reveal the trade mark G. C. & Co N. The box measures approx. 9 inches wide by 7 inches deep and it stands 4 inches tall (23 x 18 x 10 cm).

Georg Carette was a French national who founded a company in 1886 in the German town of Nuremberg. The firm produced, as one of the first, besides magic lanterns also electric train sets. His lanterns are provided with a trade mark containing the initials 'G.C.Co.N.' The firm was liquidated in 1908. One of its most beautiful models was 'der Fabrik' (the Factory) (have a look at: Very special magic lanterns) Just like the labels of other manufacturers, also Carette's labels were adjusted to the latest coiffures and fashion. Also see: A complete magic lantern set.
	The business of the Bing brothers in Nuremberg was founded in 1860. At first it was described as 'G.B.N.- Bavaria', later on as 'G.B.N.' or 'B.W.' (Bing Werke). After World War I the company only used the indication 'B.W.'. Bing also received many impressive prizes, among them two medals at the World Fair in 1893 in Chicago, but other then Plank and Schoenner (below) they were not mentioned on the labels. In 1908 however they proudly called themselves 'die grösste Spielwarenfabrik der Welt' (the greatest toy factory in the world). One of the most beautiful designs was the 'Bosco' from 1899 that could be used to project circular disc shaped slides.
The firm Jean Schoenner was founded in 1875 in (again) Nuremberg. They principally produced mechanical-optical toys. Initially the trade mark was 'S.N.' and later on 'J.S.'.	The labels show, here too, some golden medals.
The labels on Johann Falk's boxes were less illustrative than those of most of his colleague manufacturers. The trademark shows a tower and the initials J.F. in an oval frame.
	Neither manufacturer nor origin of this cinematograph are known. Probably the lantern is from about 1900. (photo top of page). The lantern is 8 1/2" tall, not counting the rod that holds the film; the base is 8 1/2" x 5". Six films and a list of films that could be bought additionally are included.
	Because of the many similarities this label could be from the same (unknown) manufacturer.
The wooden case provided with this label contains a standing cylinder shaped magic lantern which is able to project the normal rectangular slides as well as round slides. The trade mark has two griffin style rearing lions to each side of a top shaped escutcheon with the initials 'M.N.' underneath. It's likely that the letter 'N' also stands for 'Nuremberg here, as the lantern was made in Germany.
A label that looks like the label above at first sight, but has some important differences. The trade name is spelled as Triumpf, ending with an 'F' and Laterna Magica is spelled as 'Latern Magic'. The trade mark is also different. The young children left mothers lap and the girl uses a magic lantern that more resembles the lantern in the box.
	Label on the cover of a cardboard box, containing a magic lantern that resembles the one the clown uses to show a picture of a proud cock, but is made of black Russian iron (and is considerable smaller in relation to the clown). Manufacturer unknown.

This label decorates the box of a multicoloured Lanterne Carree produced in the 1880's by E.V.L Paris or Edouard Virgile Lapierre, son of Auguste Lapierre who started the firm. The box is 10 3/4" x 10" x 4" (27.5 cm x 25.5 cm x 10 cm).
	More colourful labels...........