Magic lanterns - Georg Carette

Magic Lanterns, manufactured by
George Carette & Co.

The French manufacturer of tin toys and magic lanterns Georges Carette learned the secrets of making fancy toy magic lanterns from August Lapierre. After his marriage with a German woman he went to Nuremberg in 1886 where he founded his toy company with the help of a wealthy Bavarian hop merchant. Carette was among the first to produce electric toy tram-cars, along with locomotives, steam engines and other tin toys. The trade mark initially showed a winged figure with the words 'Jouets fins - Fine Toys - Feine Spielwaren'. After 1895 the initials GCCoN, and finally a sprocket wheel symbol with the GCCoN initials were used. At the outbreak of World War I Carette left Nuremberg for France, where he died in the 1920s. One of his fanciest models is 'die Fabrik'.		Type 720 Georg Carette Nuremberg, 1885. Black and gold lacquered tin body. The wooden feet and pedestal are typical for Carette. The bended backdoor has a ring shaped handle to open it. In the front is an oval mark impressed with the type number '720' and the text 'GESETZLICH GESCHÜTZT'. Height 27 cm.

	C. 1895. This simple toy-lantern was probably made by Carette or possibly by Jean Falk, who was working for Carette until 1895 and then started to make some of their magic lanterns self-employed. Some other manufacturers produced a similar design too, like Bing and Plank.
	Type 244 C 1905-1915. Russian iron (blue tinted tin plate). Brass objective with 3 lenses. This type was available in six sizes. Sizes of this specimen 9,5 x 8 x 24 cm. Carette trade mark stuck on the back.
		Type 244/2 - 244/6 1895-1915. Russian iron. Typical door and chimney. Produced in five sizes; this one measures 14 x 9,5 x 33 cm.

Carette, c. 1900

Complete with its original box and oil lamp.

Carette's Ornate Magic Lantern, c.1890s.

Rare magic lantern of an exceptional hexagonal design, supplied with a peculiar disc shaped metal slide holder.

	Die Fabrik (The Factory) 1895 Made of painted tin. Windows, door and stones of the chimney are also painted. Moulded feet.15,75 inches (40 cm) high. (See also: Very special magic lanterns)