Magic lanterns - Ernst Plank

Magic Lanterns, manufactured by
Ernst Plank part 1

The Ernst Plank Company was seated in the Hochfederstrasse 40 in the German toy town of Nuremberg. In 1866 it was enrolled in the Commercial Register of Nuremberg as 'Ernst Plank, Fabrik Optischer und Mechanischer Waren'. Besides magic lanterns the firm also made all kinds of tin toy steamboats and train sets. Ernst Plank was the second largest in Nuremberg, after the 'Gebrüder Bing'. Almost all the lanterns from Plank are supplied with its trade mark, bearing the initials 'E.P.'. Sometimes this mark was simply pressed in the tin, mostly a roundel was fixed to the lantern by means of two small clips. Also the label on the boxes always show his well known mark with the winged wheel. By this Plank's lanterns are always easy to recognize. The company survived the First World War, but magic lantern production gradually ceased in the 1920s. In 1930 the factory was sold to Hans and Fritz Schaller, who specialized in home movie equipments. After World War II their company was known as Noris Projektion GmbH.
	'Climax', 1895. Red lacquered tin plate. Many variations of this type exist: with a lacquered lamp house, with a brass lamp house, spherical or cylinder shaped, with a curly or simplified slide holder, and so on. The EP-trade mark is pressed in the brass upper edge of the slide holder. Suitable for round slide discs of 11 cm diameter. The Climax is also called 'Brilliant M.L.' in the USA and in the UK.	'KINEMATADOR N°790', 1897. Though this type of lantern also has been produced as a 'normal' magic lantern, this superb projector is supplied with a mechanism with a handle, flywheel and rotating shutter, that offers the option to show moving pictures. By turning the crank, one makes rotate a disc of twelve slightly different circular images, thus obtaining the effect of movement. The system is adaptable for the use of normal glass slides too. Light system with oil lamp. The original wooden box is labelled and numerated '1/12', made in Germany. Dimensions: box: 14 x 10 x 8 inches (35.5 x 25.5 x 20 cm); lantern: 13 x 5.2 inches (33 x 13 cm), height 12.1 inches (31 cm).
	This barrel shaped toy magic lantern is 23 cm (9") long, 24 cm (9,5") tall and 10 cm (4") wide. The instructions are in English, French & German. It is made of black painted tin with a gold trim. Complete with original oil lamp.
		Not all Ernst Plank's magic lanterns are provided with the well-known roundel with the winged wheel. This simple lantern has the initials E.P. pressed in the door. It measures approx. 12" x 5 1/2" (without lens) x 3" (30.5 x 14 x 7.5 cm). This set also includes an oil lamp with glass hurricane shade.
Usually the magic lanterns were sold in solid cardboard boxes or in wooden cases, which were able to contain one or two sets of slides and some other accessories as well. Most of the time the directions for use were glued on the inside of the lid; a colourful label often adorned the top of the box. Many of these labels are a real work of art.		Standard, 1900 One of the most frequently sold E.P. lanterns, the Standard (1900), complete with original instructions.
	Gloria, 1900 Both sides have gold coloured roundels saying "Gloria E.P." The lantern is made of black painted tin; the feet are four gold painted tiger claws. The lantern without chimney is 28 cm (11") high. The striking long chimney is additional 25,5 cm (10 inches). In the slide holder is a chromatrope that is hand driven by a small handle. The wooden box has instructions in German, French and English on the inside of the lid. Outer dimensions of the box are 11 1/2" by 9 1/2" by 4" (29 x 24 x 10 cm). The lamp has two wicks and two wick raisers, each saying "Duplex" on the knobs. The glass part of the lamp is marked "Selectalampen 15" Cylinder".	The complete directions for use are.... 1) Arrange the lantern on a table, facing a smooth white wall or a sheet hung in a doorway, at a distance of about 5 to 6 feet. Fill the lamp to 3/4 with good mineral oil by taking off the bent chimney and the square case, unscrewing the burner. 2) Screw the burner on its place & cut the wicks even, then clean the plate of hard glass & the reflector from any dust. 3) Light the two wicks to a small flame & bring the burning lamp to its place in a way that the reflector with the stained glass is standing next to door. 4) Now replace the bent chimney and screw the two wicks to a large flame but without sooting. 5) Pass the slide upside down through the groove back of the lens tube adjusting the focusing tube by moving it either in or out until the picture is distinctly seen on the sheet. The effect will then be the most surprising. 6) Keep the lenses clean & in case you have dismounted the front in order to clean the lenses, they are to be replaced in the same position as they have been arranged before.


	Ernst Plank c. 1885 This brilliant magic lantern is decorated with beautiful different coloured glass 'gems' on each side. The lantern has a brass tag on the front and back with the E.P. trade mark in it.
More E.P. magic lanterns.....