Item MM 69420 Lantern Slide - Man Eating Himself Into an Early Grave, circa 1930s

Summary

Lantern slide of cartoon sketch of a man overeating, with a resulting premature death. Made by Alex. Gunn & Sons, Melbourne, Victoria, circa 1930s.

One of a set of over 420 lantern slides, used by lecturer Walter S. Binks, a popular psychology and vocational guidance lecturer based in Melbourne, Victoria. Binks gave lectures throughout Australia in the 1930s and 1940s. Binks advertised his lectures as associated with the Australasian Opportunity League or Universal Opportunity League. Binks was insistent in his lectures that too many people eat unfit food and commit 'gastronomic suicide'.

Purchased by the donor at an opportunity shop. The collection was stored in three wooden trays (two compartments in each tray), and 95 slides stored separately. Many of the slides were produced in Melbourne from images and cuttings presumably supplied by Binks.

Description of Content

Sketch of a man seated at a table with a napkin tucked in at the chin eating a pie. The table is laden with food. At the top of the slide is a wreath of smoke or cloud surrounding a picture of a grave with a knife and fork laid on top.

Physical Description

Standard format (3 1/4 x 3 1/4 inch square) colour lantern slide.