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This is one fresh out of my workshop that I've just finished restoring:
Very Rare Working Antique Contracting Magic Lantern Projector Brass and Mahogany by S.J.Levi & Co "Pulman" Circa 1890 With set of 12 Slides
This is an impressively designed, quality made brass and mahogany "Pulman" magic lantern projector by Samuel J. Levi & Co. and will look fantastic as a functioning showpiece. I've only ever come across one other lantern the same as this. The lens contracts into the mahogany case, making it more portable for performing lantern shows. This was a patented design and has no. 14112 on the maker's badge. The majority of magic lanterns were made in tinplate and brass – only the more expensive ones designed to impress were adorned with a mahogany shell. This one was made around 1895 and has been constructed with a no-expense-spared approach. The main part of the brass lens mount is telescopic. There are also doors with coloured glass portholes on both sides which is also a quality feature. The projected image quality is sharp all the way to the edges also indicating that well-made lenses have been used.
All the black parts have been sand-blasted and re-sprayed satin black; all the brass has been polished and the mahogany has been re-glued where joints had become dry; it's then been re-French polished. All the lenses have been cleaned and the rack-and-pinion mechanism in the telescopic body has been serviced and lubricated. Everything has been taken apart and carefully cleaned. The lantern has been converted to electricity at some point in time – this is beneficial as the original limelight systems were a bit dangerous, fiddly to get right, ran hot and were not as bright as a modern electric LED bulb. The wiring, bulb-holder, switch and plug have been replaced and it has a new LED bulb fitted which runs really bright and cool. The focus lenses that focus the image are in good condition. The large condenser twin lens (this collects and focuses the light through the slide) has a small chip to the outer edge on one, but otherwise, both are in good condition - this does not affect the quality of the projected image.
The length of the lantern extended is 19½ inches long x 8½ inches wide x 14½ inches tall with the chimney fitted. The contracted length of the lantern is 12 inches.
Included with this are a set of twelve coloured glass slides featuring a nursery rhyme, probably from around the 1890s. This set is in good condition apart from some of the edging paper coming away in places. The last image shows the projected image of a slide with the Union Jack flag onto a three-foot square screen at close range; the picture goes much larger that this when the projector is placed further away. Coloured slides on all subjects are plentiful on online marketplaces.
The slide carrier caters for the standard 3¼" slides.
The makers of this lantern were wholesale opticians and manufacturers of photographic cameras and optical lanterns; founded 1897; based at 71 Farringdon Road, Holborn and 16 Woodbridge Street; S J Levi & Co formed c 1890; A C (Alexander James?) Jones joined as partner in 1892; became Levi, Jones & Co in 1897 when Samuel Jones Levi dissolved; ceased trading c. 1904. Instruments that were made in this part of London were top quality.
This is fully functioning and ready to go - all you need is a light coloured plain wall (or a projector screen) and the room curtains drawn.
This is now for sale - please see https://woodcraftbiz.etsy.com
Many thanks for looking!
Some Images
Reproduction Antique Magic Lantern Projector Chimney Made To Order, All Sizes
This is a reproduction chimney for an antique magic lantern projector. Many lanterns I come across have lost their chimneys at some point so I thought I would offer a bespoke replacement service - rather than making do finding a second-hand one that's close in size, you can have one made to order in the size that you require. It's made using 0.5mm thick mild steel and has been constructed using the same methods that the original ones used. The chimney has a rolled lip to rest on top of the lantern tinplate body (the same as the originals did). It's joined at the seam using cold rivets. I use heat-proof matt black for the finish, in case you might be using a limelight burner for illumination. The size I require to make one is the dimensions of the rectangular aperture where the original chimney would have fitted. I need five working days to make this.
To order one of these, please visit
Working Antique Magic Lantern Projector Brass and Mahogany Circa 1890 with Primus Jack And The Giant Slides Set
This is an impressively designed, quality made brass and mahogany magic lantern projector and will look fantastic as a functioning showpiece. The majority of these lanterns were made in tinplate and brass – only the more expensive ones designed to impress were adorned with a mahogany shell. This one has been constructed well.
All the black parts have been sand-blasted and re-sprayed in black; all the brass has been polished and the mahogany has been cleaned, repaired where needed and polished. All the lenses have been cleaned and the rack-and-pinion mechanism in the telescopic body has been serviced and lubricated. Everything has been taken apart and carefully cleaned. The lantern has been converted to electricity at some point in time – this is beneficial as the original limelight/gas systems were a bit dangerous, fiddly to get right, ran hot and were not as bright as a modern electric LED bulb. The wiring, switch and bulb holder have been replaced and it has a new LED bulb fitted which runs really bright and cool. The telescopic body lenses are good condition (these focus the image). The large condenser lens (this collects and focuses the light through the slide) is good condition. The image projects fine in a normal-sized room and the projected image is sharp all the way from the centre to the edges. The last image shows the projected image of one of the included slides onto a three-foot square screen at relatively close range; the picture goes larger that this when the projector is placed further away.
The length of the lantern is 19 inches x 7 inches wide x 13 inches tall with the chimney fitted.
The slide carrier caters for the standard 3¼" slides.
Included with this are a set of 8 slides of the nursery rhyme: "Jack And The Giant Killer" probably from around the 1890s. These are in good condition and an antique slide carrier is included so that you can view them with the lantern. Coloured slides on all subjects are plentiful on online marketplaces.
This is fully functioning and ready to go - all you need is a light coloured plain wall (or a projector screen) and the room curtains drawn.
This now for sale - please see:
Many thanks for looking!
Some Images
