Magic lanterns - Ernst Plank

	Magic Lanterns, manufactured by Lapierre
The French family Lapierre was a family of magic lantern, slide and cinematograph manufacturers. Auguste Lapierre set up a small-scale metal workshop in Paris in 1848, specialising in toy lanterns. In 1860 Lapierre filed a patent for a method of stamping out plate metal that enabled him to produce at a cheaper rate than his principal rival in this trade, Louis Aubert. Soon he became the leading manufacturer of toy lanterns in France. His slides, initially hand-painted, but later mass produced, took over the French slide market too. These slides are easily distinguished by their green paper binding. After the retirement of his father, Edouard Virgile Lapierre launched new designs of lanterns, like the Lampadophore and the Luciphone, which combined a lantern and a phonograph in the same casing. He took over control of his rival Aubert and moved his workshops into the former Aubert premises. In 1902 the company was transformed into Lapierre Frères et Cie, a partnership between Edouard and his two sons Maurice and René Lapierre. However the sons were less successful than their father and were obliged to amalgamate with the photographic manufacturer Jules Demaria in 1908. Later on, in 1921 René founded a new company and he was still producing 9.5 mm film projectors as late as the 1950s.
		Lampascope Carré, 1880 A lampascope is a magic lantern placed on top of an oil lamp, usually an ordinary household table lamp. Most lampascopes were globular models, like the Boule (see below). Others, like this Carré, are less rounded, embellished, and attractively polychromed in translucent alcohol varnishes. They were fitted with a long cylindrical chimney and a reflector filled with sand to counterbalance the lens. The model Carré was sold in six sizes.
	Lanterne Carrée, 1880 (double e!) Same design as the small rectangular lantern that was produced by Aubert. Lapierre's lanterns, though less well-finished than those of Aubert, were cheaper and more often sold. The oldest design is distinguishable by the cylindrical feet (1845). The second design from 1860 has cone-shaped feet and the youngest design has cast, decorated feet, like the one on the photo right. The last mentioned was produced in nine sizes for many years.	Photo: ©Pierre Patau, antiquetoysandgames.com.
	One of the first 'Carrée' lanterns, with cylindrical feet, c. 1845. Only 8" (ca 20 cm) high.	One of the last versions of the 'Carrée' lanterns, with profiled feet, c. 1870. This one measures 7 inches (18 cm) front to back and stands 9.5 inches (24 cm) tall.
		Lanterne Chinoise, 1880 'Modèle très soigné avec décors de style, livré en carton avec 12 vues en peinture fine sur verre.' (advertisement) Model with stylish decoration, delivered in cardboard box with 12 glass hand painted slides. Made of tin, painted with a red alcohol varnish; the roofs are blue. Transfers with Chinese patterns on both sides. Was available in four sizes, 25, 27, 31 and 36 cm high.
		Lampascope Boule, 1880 This Lampascope Boule is designed to fit on top of a domestic oil lamp to use its light. The oldest specimens are translucently lacquered. Later devices were also available with a medium bronze lacquer applied to the metal. Overall height is 13 inches, with the body being 7 inches in diameter.
	Photo: ©Pierre Patau, antiquetoysandgames.com.	detail Lampadophore, 1886 The Lampadophore is a lampascope, complete with its own oil lamp base. It was made in distinctive nickled brass and is embossed with a lion's head and a ring-shaped handle on either side of the lamp house. A later produced polychrome Lampadophore was able to show images arranged around a circular glass slide. The Lampadophore was sold in several sizes.
	Lanterne Riche, 1880 Polychrome magic lantern made by Edouard Lapierre around 1884. At this period the company produced a very popular range of lanterns for children, decorated with a characteristic transparent coloured lacquer: the Lanterne Salon, the Lanterne Bijou, the Lanterne Médaillon, the Lampascope Carré, the Lampascope Boule and the Lanterne Riche. Size approx 13.5" x 9.5" x 6" (34 x 24 x 15 cm).	Photo: ©Pierre Patau, antiquetoysandgames.com.
		Lanterne Bijou, c. 1880 This lantern was made in a bare nickel version, and in a multicoloured tin version, both only one size. This is the smallest model magic lantern made by Lapierre. The lantern is placed on a tapering pedestal with a build in oil lamp. Sizes: 18 cm high; 24 cm including pedestal.

Beautiful decorated French magic lantern, c. 1870. Probably made by Lapierre. A small brass plate above the lens holder reads "Breveté SGDG". The lantern is 12" (32.5 cm) high.
	Lanterne Salon, 1880 Beautiful magic lantern in original box. Lapierre´s magic lanterns were mostly accompanied by mass-produced slides, printed in outline and subsequently coloured by hand, distinguishable by their green paper binding at the edges.
	Photo: ©Pierre Patau, antiquetoysandgames.com.
Lanterne Cartoscope Episcope for the projection of post cards.	Lanterne Medaillon, 1880 Multicoloured lacquered tin. Was produced in 4 sizes.