Magic lantern projector with curtain

United Kingdom, c. 1890

Object On display
Photograph by Egmont Contreras, ACMI

An unusual early 20th Century magic lantern of wood and brass construction with tinplate lamp house and a rear curtain. It is of unusual configuration - possibly for scientific use - having twin objectives (one behind the other) and bearing a maker’s plate for Reynolds and Branson of Leeds who were well known for their science lanterns. The detachable front objective has a focal length of 14” and bears the trademark for John Wrench of London. There would appear to be multiple options for image adjustment, with the lamp housing and lens assembly capable of sliding backwards and forwards, and rack and pinion arrangement allowing fine adjustment for the objective lenses. Overall length 59cm (excluding rear curtain) and 27cm high.

Collection

Not in ACMI's collection

On display until

16 February 2031

ACMI: Gallery 1

Credits

manufacturer

Reynolds & Branson Ltd.

Production places
United Kingdom
Production dates
c. 1890

Appears in

Group of items

Magic lantern projectors

Explore

Collection metadata

ACMI Identifier

AEO190921

Curatorial section

The Story of the Moving Image → Moving Pictures → MI-02. Play and Illusion → MI-02-C01 → Panel A3

Measurements

270 x 195 x 610mm (as compact as possible, does not include curtain)

Object Types

3D Object

Projection equipment/Film and television equipment

Cite this work on Wikipedia

If you would like to cite this item, please use the following template: {{cite web |url=https://acmi.net.au/works/121948--magic-lantern-projector-with-curtain/ |title=Magic lantern projector with curtain |author=Australian Centre for the Moving Image |access-date=22 July 2026 |publisher=Australian Centre for the Moving Image}}