Magic Lantern - Victorian trade cards and the magic lantern (part 3)

Trade cards and the magic lantern
part 3

		This lovely card is one of a set 'Amusements Enfantins' (amusement of the children), issued by Au Bon Marche Perree-Lepeltier, La Ferte-Mace, Orne (France). The card is printed in full colours with gold and white margins. Printer’s mention on centre back: Paris – Imp. Lessertisseux, pass. Du Caire, 68 – 111, one of the printers-editors who also produced so many cards for Liebig and Au Bon Marche among others. Each card bears its own title. Size: 100 x 60 mm.
The same picture used for another French trade card titled 'Lanterne Magique'. Size: 105 x 73 mm. Advertisements on front and back for Chocolate Poulain; on centre back the printer’s name is mentioned too (L. Pacon, Paris). The back of this card gives a complete description of the Magic lantern and its use. The blue capital 'L' indicates that the card is one of a large series, probably comprising the complete alphabet. Right: Another version without advertisement at the front.
Another card from the set 'Amusements Enfantins' (amusement of the children). Not a magic lantern but another optical toy is the subject of this card: the zoëtrope, invented by William Horner (also see the page Discs and Drums). The card is advertising Chocolat Debauve & Gallais.
		Old French trade card printed for CHOCOLATERIE FRANÇAISE, Chocolats et Cacaos superieurs, depicting a young itinerant lanternist carrying a magic lantern on his back and playing a musical instrument. Caption: LA LANTERNE MAGIQUE, PIÈCES CURIEUSES. Size: 2,4 x 4,2 inches (6 x 10,5 cm).
Ladies and gentlemen! I show you the trick with the jack-in-the-box! A French trade card for Magasins de la Samaritaine, Paris. The front says "A La Samaritaine Nouveautés Rue du Pont-Neuf". Nice magic lantern on the background. Size : 4,2 x 2,1 inches (6 x 10.5 cm).
		"La Lanterne Magique" card with text on the back, published in France in the late 1800's by H. & Co. Paris. Card #25 Size: 13 cm x 9 cm, (5 1/8" x 3 1/2").
This card from Chicorée a la Ménagère, Papier Grains de Café (coffee beans), shows some Jouets, toys: The magic lantern, a Dutch top, and a dicebox. The 'toupie hollandaise' turns out to be an old game at which a metal top has to make its way through a kind of pinball machine. You're never to old to learn!

Right and below: The revolving disk at the back of the original card and the other scenes on the 'screen'.		This beautiful card (size: postcard) is an old REPRO of the late 19th C. trade card from the French "Le Bon Marché" convenience store. This repro itself was produced in very scarce quantities in the mid 1980's and is very hard to find now. It contains a revolving disk with pictures as did the original trade card.


		Magic lantern beginnings, showing a child with a magic lantern, casting shadow onto a screen, made for B. Legrand, Mons.

One of a set of probably six trade cards, published by Liebig meat extract, depicting 'Kunstgewerbe' (Applied Art). This one with the subject 'Optik und Mechanik' shows a beautiful lady surrounded by optical and mechanical instruments including two magic lanterns.
		Attractive mechanical trade card advertising the Peninsular Furnaces, Stoves and Ranges. Images of the many stoves manufactured by 'The Leading Stove Manufacturers of the World' are displayed on the screen on stage by means of a revolving disc at the back of the card. Measures approx. 3 1/4" x 5 1/2" (8 x 14 cm).
		More of those attractive trade cards.........