A magic lantern was an early form of projector, it would project the image from a glass slide onto a screen. The early slides, made around 1860 / 1870, were hand painted on glass, towards the end of the Victorian period these would have been transfer printed. The early magic lantern was powered by a paraffin lamp, later they would be powered with electricity. They would be a home or church entertainment device, and must have seemed like magic to Victorian children - hence the name.
 
This is a 1920s electric-powered magic lantern  (it’s not PAT tested to today’s safety standards). 
 
The lantern is in very good condition throughout.
 
Dimensions: 48cm x 18cm x 22cm