Fantastic Antique Magic Lantern in its Original Case. Central Europe, 19th Century

This great and evocative piece is a magic lantern in excellent condition, in working order and with its original protecting case. It comes from Central Europe and was made in the 19th century. The lantern is extremely beautiful and preserves all its original component parts. It is made of polished brass and blued metal sheet: the lenses are also original and remain in good condition. This magic lantern works fine though it has not been electrically tested because the cotton electrical wires are a bit frayed. Nevertheless, if the wiring should not work it can be changed in order to provide the device with lighting. The lantern mounts a projection system composed of different polished brass component parts. It is a delicate set of lenses and regulating screws that makes it possible to project the images printed on the glass plates and lets the user set the focus. The lenses mounted in the projector are well preserved. The projection system is inserted into a blued metal sheet case, also in good condition. The case is rectangular in shape and has a front base that holds the projector. The magic lantern comes with a piece designed to insert the glass plates with the images to be projected. This system is a plywood piece that can be inserted in the brass projector, in a groove located in the middle of the system. The back of the case shelters the lighting device a wooden base with a threaded bushing for a bulb. It is likely that in the early days, instead of an electrical system the magic lantern used an oil lamp: this is why curious shape of the case and the small chimney for the smoke of the lamp located at its top. The chimney is crowned by a circular accordion-folded metal piece. At the front of the case, just below the lens we can see a metal plate with the brand name Zrini. Strikingly decorative and really original, this magic lantern is bound to become part of a good collection of cinema-related antiques. Measurements: Width: 16.9 in / 43 cm. Height: 12.9 in/ 33 cm.