Human Anatomy Magic Lantern Lecture Slides

5b Glass Magic Lantern Lecture Slides. Onion Skin Hand-drawn pages Between Glass Panes. 1909. In wooden box.

Notes

Magic lantern slides were an early form of visual entertainment popular from the mid-1800s to the early 1900s. These slides were created for use with a magic lantern, an early projector that illuminated images on a glass slide and projected them onto a screen or wall. Artists painted the images directly onto glass plates using transparent or semi-transparent paints, allowing the light to pass through the artwork when projected. The slides were typically small, around 3.5 x 4.5 inches, and the fine details were carefully painted by hand, often with layers of color to achieve the desired effect.

The process of creating these slides involved painting intricate scenes, portraits, or illustrations on the glass surface. Some slides were entirely painted, while others combined photographic images with hand-painted details for a more colorful result. Once completed, the slides were mounted in a frame to fit into a magic lantern, which was typically powered by a candle or oil lamp, later replaced by gas or electric lights. The projector would shine light through the slide, and a lens would enlarge and project the image onto a screen or wall.

Magic lantern slides were used for both educational and entertainment purposes. They served as visual aids in classrooms and lectures, depicting scientific, historical, or geographical subjects. They were also used for public performances, where projected images were accompanied by narration or music, offering a form of storytelling or artistic display. While they were eventually overtaken by photographic slides and cinema, hand-painted lantern slides remain an important part of visual history, showcasing a unique blend of artistry and early technological innovation.

Description

Forty-three slides with onion skin hand-drawn images between both panes of glass. Five additional slides with printed labels on the bottom. Four of the five in black and white and one in color. Cloth seal around the edges. Each slide is a 3.25 in x 3.25. Comes in wooden box with metal clasp. General chipping to the corners of the box and scuffing to the exterior. White label on the lid written in all caps penmanship slightly faded; ‘Human Anatomy for First Aid Instruction 1909.’ Each slide with a detailed and labeled image drawn by hand. Seven slides have a tear to the page within the glass which does not affect the legibility of the image or text. One slide of the heart and surrounding vessels showing aortic arch also has red coloring to the vessels. This slide also has a branching fracture from the lower left corner up the top and into the left side which does not affect the legibility of the image or text. Five additional slides have fractures which do not affect the legibility of the images or text.  

Slides are meant to be used with a magic lantern projector as one lectures along with the images but we have taken the liberty to set our own separate set in a stained glass door here in the store to allow the slides to showcase prominently. This might be an idea if you are interested in a suggestion on how to feature these in your home.