Magic lantern - Alphabet Slides.

ABC Land, The Road to Knowledge
and Father Christmas' ABC
Two amusing sets of Alphabet slides for the youth.

	ABC Land The Road to Knowledge The pictures on the slides are taken from a children's book published about 1890 by Frederick Warne & Co. The author is Alf J. Johnson. Set of 16 glass slides, dimensions 8.2 x 8.2 cm. ca 1900.
		The slides are provided with a small label in a corner left above that shows the set number 'Set 273', have a black paper border and are hand written with white ink.






The artist. Alf J. Johnson. Portrait printed in an 1893 issue of the UK weekly newspaper The Illustrated London News. The newspaper employed many talented artists and engravers to illustrate the news and events and to entertain the readers.	The Publisher. The name of the publisher on the first slide is partly covered by a label reading 'By permishion of F.WARNE & Co'. Probably the images were taken from a children's book published by Warne. Frederick Warne & Co was a British publishing firm famous for children's books, particularly those of Beatrix Potter (Peter Rabbit). It was founded in 1865 by a bookseller, who gave his own name to the firm. During the second half of the nineteenth century, Warne built a reputation based upon its children's list, publishing illustrated books by well-known authors and artists. Toward the end of the century, Warne retired and handed the management of the business over to his three sons.	The Seller. All the slides are labeled "W. R. 246 Sauchiehall Street" - a shop in Glasgow. W.R. stands for William Roberton. Some slides are also labelled:
	Father Christmas' ABC The images of this slide set also come from a book published by F. Warne & Co. This very special picture book is an ABC entirely devoted to the theme of Christmas. Each of the twenty-six images depicts the festive celebration of Christmas, from lighting the candles on the tree to ringing the bell, skating and making jam tarts. There is no slide #1. It is unknown what it looks like. It's probably the picture on the cover of the book, just like the series above.


A is for Apples that Auntie will bring. B for the Bells that at Christmas-time ring.	C for the Cracker that Katy pulls with Fred. D for our Doggie with cap on his head.	E for an Envelope bringing good wishes. F for the Fruit mamma puts in the dishes.

G for our Games and our Gambols so jolly. H for the badge of Old Christmas the Holly.	I is the Ice on which skaters dart. J is the Jam Jane puts in the tart. K for sweet Kisses neath Misletoe snatched.	L is for the Luggage by quick train despatched. M is for Mince pies all sugar and plums. N for Nutcrackers for saving our gums.


Q is the Quadrille, danced at our party. R is for the Reindeer, of Santa Claus hearty.	W is for Waggon laden with holly. X is for Xmas tree all light and toys jolly.	S for the Stocking that Santa Claus fills. T for the Toys that cure all our ills.

U is an Umbrella to keep off the snow. V are the Visitors, kind friends we know.	W is a Waggon, laden with Holly. X is for Xmas tree, all lights and all toys jolly.	Y are the Youngsters who welcome the Christmas-time. and Z is a Zany, a clown at a Pantomime.


14. Dancing letters. This slide could have been used as a title slide during a performance.	15/16 A complete enumeration of all letters of the alphabet and the associated texts on this set of slides.

As a bonus five funny rebus slides:

		The complete set consists of at least 8 magic lantern slides that are provided with a triangular label with the name of the manufacturer: WAW, trademark of William A. Winter, England
Some other interesting Alphabet items on this site:	Magic Lantern Alphabet of Animals Raphael Tuck	Animal Alphabet depicted on magic lantern slides.