Summary
Glass slide for use in a magic lantern projector. Some slides were used to produce an optical effect using a mechanical device, in this case a handle rotated by hand.
Turning the handle causes two discs with patterns on them to revolve in opposite directions. A similar mechanism, called rackwork, was used to show rotating windmills and to represent the movement of the planets in the solar system. This type of rackwork slide is called a Chromatrope, which produced an effect similar to a kaleidoscope.
This lantern slide is part of the Francis Collection of pre-cinematic apparatus and ephemera, acquired by the Australian and Victorian Governments in 1975. David Francis was the curator of the National Film and Sound Archive of the British Film Institute as well as being a co-founder of the Museum of the Moving Image in London, which was operational between 1988 and 1999.
Description of Content
Chromatrope.
Physical Description
Possibly a double rackwork slide; in wooden mount of 'sandwich' construction held together by four screws glasses held wire retaining springs Hand painted over printed outline.
More Information
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Collection Names
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Collecting Areas
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Acquisition Information
Loan & Subsequent Donation from Australian Film Institute (AFI), Mr David Francis, by Nov 1990
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Date Made
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Format
Lantern Slide - Rackwork Type, Wooden Framed, Hand Coloured
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Classification
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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Overall Dimensions
215 mm (Width), 12 mm (Depth), 110 mm (Height)
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Maximum dimensions
12 mm (Length), 215 mm (Width), 110 mm (Height)
Measurement From Conservation.
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Keywords
