Magic lanterns - Discs and drums

	Discs and drums or how the images learned to walk.
part 3	Discs and drums or how the images learned to walk.
		Lovely labelled cardboard box containing a set of funny thaumatropes. Bird in a Cage.


A beautiful reproduction of a set of ten thaumatropes, c.1990, produced with great care from a German mid nineteenth century set. The disks measure 8.5 cm in diameter.
Hold the thread between index finger and thumb of both hands and roll the string so that the thaumatrope spins. You will then see both pictures superimposed.

A very nice panorama toy theatre produced in the 1890s by J.W.B., Joseph Walker of Birmingham, 'Excursions on Land and Sea, The World's Wonders'. This specimen is a very rare French version, the proscenium is in English but the 32 pictures of the paper roll are titled in French. The paper roll is mounted on two wooden rollers which are turned by a folding handle. In the centre of the back of the theatre is a small candle holder. Paper, cardboard and fire is a pretty dangerous combination which might go some way in explaining why this toy is very hard to find in good condition. The toy is meant to be used in a darkened room when the candle light can shine through the paper panorama roll. This toy is 6 3/4" long x 7 1/8" high x 3 1/2" deep (17 cm x 18 cm x 9 cm). Photos Panorama Theatre: ©Pierre Patau, antiquetoysandgames.com.


This view of a country residence of the Prince of Orange in Holland represents a good 18th Century "vue d'optique". The print is mounted on thick paper, the windows of the buildings have been cut out. On the back of the print water colour has been applied behind the windows to give a wonderful effect when the picture is held to the light. The print is 16 1/2" x 12" (42 cm x 30 cm).


The Gramophone Cinema or Kinephone. This toy from the 1920's is to be used on an old Gramophone turn table. A disk of animation is placed on the turn table, a slotted viewing device fits on top of a holder with 3 wheels and a metal bar holds the wooden holder in place. An application of the Zoetrope and Phenakistoscope principal. Its original box is complete with five disks of animations, including Charlie Chaplin and Felix the Cat. The instructions for the toy are on the lid of the box, along with a retailers label: 'Reid & Co. Piano & Music Saloons. Secunderabad (Deccan)'. The box measures about 7" x 7" (17.5 cm x 17.5 cm).
		An acetate transparency covered with a very fine line pattern, which when moved very slowly up and down over the picture, makes the image appear to be moving, is included. It is stored in a special holder inside the back cover. Wheels turn! Fire burns! Fish swim! Water flows! Many other startling illusions! The apparent motion is caused by a moiré-effect. Sizes 12" x 9 1/2" (30 cm x 24 cm).
The Motograph Moving Picture Book. Rare hard bound book, published in 1898 by Bliss, Sands & Co. London.