What the fun of a magic lantern .....

WHAT’S THE FUN OF A MAGIC LANTERN?

When I was born some 60 years ago, the sun stood in Cancer, the fourth sign of the zodiac, meaning, among others, that I was predestined to become a collector.

Being one of those who can never dispose of old things and whose cupboards protrude with togs and duds which 'may at some time be of use for some purpose as opportunity occurs'.

I bought my first Magic Lantern for twelve guilders on a flea market in Haarzuilens near Utrecht (NL). The asking price was fifteen guilders, but haggling is customary on a flea market of course. I was touched by the beautiful chimney. Not the smooth, bent or broken chimney that most lanterns have, but a chimney that reminds one of the the funnel of old steam locomotives driving around in Wild West-movies. The lantern was manufactured by the Nuremberg toy maker Johann Falk, but I didn't know that in those days. I didn't know anything about magic lanterns at all! It acquired a nice place in the living room and so far nothing is the matter. However, somebody who saw it there, made me a present of a second one. It appeared that his neighbour’s wife had almost given it along with the refuse collector. Now I possessed two specimens, so I had a collection.

From that moment I was scouring all the flea markets, inserted advertisements in house organs as well as free local papers ('door-to-door' distribution) and little by little my collection started growing. Many lanterns were covered with dust, dirt and tens of years of rust. I cleaned them thoroughly, polished and restored them if necessary. Pretty soon my collection comprised some tens of lanterns, but these last few years the offer has been slowing down. The reason is that the group who 'may have some redundant things in the attic' is getting smaller and smaller.

In order to recognise each lantern of my extended collection

I have given a name to most of them: the first, of course, carries the name of ‘Haarzuilens'. Another one 'Mrs Van Hunnik', after the generous donor. I also have a 'Little Egg', a 'Battleship' and a 'Leydenaar' (originating from the town of Leyden NL). A film projector is named after its previous owner Frits Thors, the once so popular snow-white haired Dutch TV-newsreader. All those lanterns take up much room, are terrible dust-traps and have to be protected constantly against rust and decay. But I cannot do without them any more, they all have their own story and have come to be almost family.

And what is really so funny about a Magic Lantern? Well, that’s because it is not just a simple device. It's more. The special sphere hanging around a Magic Lantern cannot be characterised better than by quoting below an anonymous poet, whose poem I found in an old children's book:


(original text in Old Dutch:) DE TOOVERLANTAARN De tooverlantaarn is ons gistren vertoond; Wat was dat een prachtig spektakel! Het heeft ook wel meer dan twee uren geduurd; Voor kleintjes geleek 't een mirakel. Eerst stond hun die donkere kamer niet aan; Maar weldra verschenen er leeuwen, Hijena's en tijgers, wolvinnen en meer; 't Klein zusje begon haast te schreeuwen. Jan Klaassen, Pierrot gaven meerdere pret, Gelijk ook dat glas met soldaten; Het was zoo bedrieglijk, als leefde de troep; 't Mankeerde nog maar dat zij praatten. Het molentje heeft met zijn wieken gedraaid; Van 't wagentje draaiden de wielen; Soldaten, zij schoten hunn' snaphanen af, Waardoor er twee vijanden vielen. Een man nam zijn hoed af en't vrouwtje dat neeg, Terwijl zij elkander passeerden. Het ging al heel kunstig; mij trof bovenal Soldaten, die heusch exerceerden. Het werd door oom Gerrit zoo aardig vertoond, Als hij maar wat zei, lachten allen; Hij heeft het met geestigheid heerlijk gekruid, Is nooit in het laffe vervallen. De tooverlantaarn maakt verheugd, blij te moe. Een tooverlantaarn wensch ik allen u toe!	(translation:) THE MAGIC LANTERN The Magic Lantern was shown to us yesterday; Such a wonderful show it was! It continued even more than two hours; To the little ones it was a miracle alike. At first they were not happy with the dark room; But very soon the lions showed up, Hyenas and tigers, wolves and many more; The little sister also started crying. Punch and Judy, Pierrot gave a lot of joy, Just as it did with that glass with soldiers; It was so misleading, as if the troops were alive; Talking, that's was all still to be desired from them. The little mill was turning its wings; The wheels of the little cart were turning; Soldiers, they shot their firelocks Killing two enemies. A man took off his hat and the little woman who bowed when passing one another, It went very ingeniously indeed; I was touched above all By soldiers who were really drilled. It was Uncle Gerard who cared for the pleasant spectacle, If he just said a word, all children were laughing; He flavoured the story deliciously with witty remarks, He never showed bad taste. The Magic Lantern gives pleasure, gives a joyful mind. I wish a Magic Lantern to all of you!

DE TOOVERLANTAARN

THE MAGIC LANTERN