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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.

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This is now sold. Please go to the 'Items For Sale' menu for the link to my Etsy shop for more lanterns.

Many thanks for looking!