Mickey’s Express Delivery Colored Lantern Slides

5C From Walt Disney’s Studios. Glass Hand-Colored Slides. Made in England. Mid 1900s

Notes

Colored 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 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.

"Mickey's Express Delivery" is a 1936 animated short film from Walt Disney, featuring Mickey Mouse as the central character. In this short, Mickey works as a delivery driver for a delivery service, tasked with ensuring packages are transported efficiently. The story follows Mickey as he navigates various challenges while delivering packages, often encountering comical situations and mishaps along the way.

The colored lantern slides used in the film help bring the animation to life with vibrant colors, creating a lively and engaging atmosphere. These slides were a common technique used in early Disney animation to enhance visual appeal. The short is a great example of Mickey’s resourcefulness and charm as he works through obstacles, all while maintaining his signature optimism and determination.

Description

Twelve colored slides in two glass slides with purple seal around the edges. Each slide is 1 1/2in x 5 1/4in painted in vibrant colors. Comes in original vintage pictorial box.