Magic lantern - Damon and Pythias, part 1.

Damon and Pythias
The old Greek legend of Damon and Pythias symbolizes trust and loyalty in a true friendship.

		Two wooden frames measuring 22" x 4" (56 x 10 cm !)with five image on glass in each. Together, these two slides tell the complete story of Damon and Pythias. The labels indicate the set was "Copyrighted 1893 by The M.C. Lilley & Co., Columbus, Ohio."

The story.

Pythias and his friend Damon travelled to Syracuse where Pythias was accused of plotting against the tyrant of Syracuse, Dionysius I. As punishment for this crime, he was sentenced to death.

Pythias accepted his sentence, but asked to be allowed to return home one last time, to settle his affairs and bid his family farewell. Of course Dionysius refused, believing that once released, Pythias would flee and never come back.

Pythias called for his friend Damon and asked him to take his spot while he went. Dionysius agreed, on the condition that, should Pythias not return, Damon would be put to death in his place. Damon agreed, and Pythias was released.

As the day Pythias promised to return came and went, Dionysius prepared to execute Damon. But just as the executioner raised his axe to kill Damon, Pythias returned, apologizing to his friend for his delay.

Pirates had captured his ship on the passage back to Syracuse and had thrown him overboard. Dionysius listened attentively to Pythias as he described how he swam to shore and made his way back to Syracuse as quickly as possible, arriving just in the nick of time to save his friend.

Dionysius was so taken with the friends' trust and loyalty, that he freed both Damon and Pythias, and kept them on as counsel to his court.

Damon and Pythias go on to lead long and happy lives. When Pythias dies, he is welcomed into heaven.....

The most dramatic moment.


		Five of a set of sixteen early magic lantern slides used in the lecture of the Knights of Pythias ranks. Manufactured by the DE MOULIN Brothers. & Co. Greenville, Ill.





Striking hand coloured lithographed slides, dating from c. 1875 and used by the Knights of Pythias. Framed in mahogany. Slides are numbered 2 -11. Size 7" x 4", glass: 3" diameter.
		These slides are framed in mahogany and hand painted. c. 1880. They retain the original labels and maker's stamp from the Pettibone Mfg. Co. Cincinati, Ohio. Size 7 x 4 x 3/8" Glass: 3" diameter.

	Another set made by Pettibone Mfg. Co. Cincinati, Ohio, this time produced as a Revolving Disc, holding a series of 10 circular slides in a large, spoked wheel. These discs were exclusively made for there striking magic lanterns with revolving discs. That disc with its brightly coloured pictures gave this lantern its popular nickname of the "peacock", because of the resemblance to a peacock that has fanned out its tail.

More about the two friends.....