Magic lantern - Merry Christmas

Vrolijk Kerstfeest
Joyeux Noël
Merry Christmas
Fröhliche Weihnachten
Feliz Navidad


A magnificent set of two dissolving views, mounted in mahogany frames. The slides show the harrowing difference between the lives of the rich and the poor. The slides are labelled at one side of the frame. The printed text reads respectively 'Dissolving Views, - Christmas Evening - The Happy Home' and 'Dissolving Views, - Christmas Evening - Homeless'.


SANTA CLAUS AND HIS VISITS ON CHRISTMAS EVE. No. 1.- It was winter time, and a real old fashioned winter too. The snow had been falling, and everything was covered with a beautiful white mantle. It was night time; the moon was shining brightly. The windows of the houses are bright with the glare from the log-wood fires, and outside one of the largest houses in the village stood some well wrapped up figures, singing, "God bless ye, merrie gentlemen, let nothing you dismay." Why, bless me, it must be Christmas-eve. Of course it is, and look over there, away yonder in the distance, by the big forest, what is that? No. 2.- An old gentleman in a massive dark red coat, with a long white beard, a large sack over his shoulder, and a big cap over his head. Whatever can he be doing this time of the night, and won't he catch cold in his old limbs? Not he! Don't you know who he is? It is old Santa Claus, the friend of boys and girls everywhere. This is his special night of all the year, and he is going to try and make a happy Christmas for all the youngsters, far and near. Just watch him and see.
Set of twelve 3 1/4" square magic lantern slides. Original reading.



The Ghost of Christmas. ...... for it is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas, when its mighty Founder was a child himself.


Five superbly painted 19th Century lantern slides depicting the well known Charles Dickens' story of 'A Christmas Carol'. The pictures resemble the etchings of John Leech, who illustrated the original edition from 1843. Ebenezer Scrooge, a penny-pinching miser in the first degree, cares nothing for the people around him and mankind exists only for the money that can be made through exploitation and intimidation. He particularly detests Christmas which he views as 'a time for finding yourself a year older, and not an hour richer'. Scrooge is visited, on Christmas Eve, by the ghost of his former partner Jacob Marley who died seven Christmas Eves ago.

SANTA CLAUS. One of a set of twelve lantern slides, made by the German Gebrüder Bing, Nuremberg (G.B.N.), c. 1900. Decalcomania. Click here for the complete set.

WINTER SCENE. One of a set of twelve lantern slides, made by the German firm Ernst Plank (E.P.), Nuremberg, c. 1900. Father Christmas is knocking at the door.

	This is a set of four silhouette slides made by the Victor Animatograph Co., depicting scenes of the Nativity. The slides can be viewed by projecting, holding to the light, placing them on a light box, or against a white background. They are made of glass and mounted in a cardboard frame. Size: 3 1/4" x 4".
Finally an attractive American Christmas trade card: A Moving Picture of Santa Claus. 'An endless reel of Christmas cheer, With love and kisses for you, my dear.' When the cardboard disc is turned to the left a Christmas Story appears on the screen: 'Now he's going to leave my dear, but if you're good he'll come next year.' Printed by Campbell Cards, Elizabeth, N.J., Design 1916, Nr. 848-10., 13.5 x 9.5 cm.