Books and journals published by the Magic Lantern Society, and distributed by mail exclusively by The Projection Box, Hastings, UK. These books are not available in stores.

Realms of Light - Uses and Perceptions of the Magic Lantern from the 17th to the 21st Century


Thirty two essays by leading writers in the field present a rich and varied series of a still little known medium, enlivened by over 280 illustrations. The book is organised in four interrelated and overlapping sections, covering the main areas of lantern use, its applications in different cultures, examples of particular use and, finally, the lantern's continued influence after the exaggerated reports of it's 'death' at the end of the nineteenth century. This is an exploration of a fascinating history, but one which emphasises the lantern as a living medium that still plays a role in the culture of today.

Edited by
Richard Crangle, Mervyn Heard and Ine van Dooren



Realms of Light
286pp, 280 illustrations
Paperback 2005

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The Encyclopaedia of the Magic Lantern



The Society's most ambitious project to date. We have attempted to provide a comprehensive reference source to the history, technology, uses and aesthetics of the optical lantern in its many forms. The alphabetical entries cover a wide range of subjects: inventors and patentees, makers and merchants, showmen, writers and lecturers; the fascinating variety of styles and shapes of lanterns, with all their delightful and exotic names; the ingenious mechanisms of slides; the organisations that used lanterns for education, propaganda or religious persuasion; and of course the collectors, collections and museums. The book is not focused only on Europe; readers will find much about America and fascinating new insights into lanterns in Japan and Australia.

Over 900 entries, more than 400 illustrations, extensive bibliography. Finalist in the prestigious Kraszna-Kraus book awards. The first place to look for any query relating to the magic lantern.

Edited by David Robinson, Stephen Herbert, and Richard Crangle. Designed and produced by Dennis Crompton. 40 international contributors.

360 large format pages. Hardback.

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Servants of Light



This lavishly illustrated book covers the two hundred and fifty years between the development of the first slide projector and the movie projector. It includes an extensive History of the Magic Lantern by John Barnes and articles on Limelight, Fantasmagoria and many others, by members of the Magic Lantern Society.

Edited by Dennis Crompton, Richard Franklin and Stephen Herbert
96 large format pages including colour, Paperback, 1997



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The Lantern Image - Iconography of the Magic Lantern 1420-1880



A comprehensive record of printed illustrations of the magic lantern before 1880, together with the earliest known manuscript representations, dating back to the 15th century. A unique reference source, tracing the evolution of the magic lantern from a quaint magical toy used for frightening the superstitious through to a sophisticated scientific device.

"The present listing has been achieved by making a grand sweep of all accessible publications and major collections in Britain, France and elsewhere. We have tried as far as possible to illustrate everything catalogued ... useful as a first point of reference for collectors and students endeavouring to identify an engraving or progression of some particular style of lantern illustration."
David Robinson

Compiled and introduced by David Robinson
83pp, 291 illustrations, paperback, 1993

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The Lantern Image: Supplement No.1



Uniform in format with the main volume, this new book adds to The Lantern Image a further 88 references to early illustrations of the magic lantern, including reproductions of the vast majority of these. As in the original volume, the illustrations are produced to a very high standard, giving a fascinating insight into the development of the lantern and its uses. Further supplements are envisaged in future as more images come to light.




Compiled by David Robinson
24pp, 70 illustrations, paperback, 1997

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New Magic Lantern Journal

Volume 6



One of a limited edition of bound copies of the Society's New Magic Lantern Journal. Featuring articles by members of the society, book reviews, and occasional reprints from old publications. Each volume contains three issues of the Journal. The New Magic Lantern Journal was launched in 1978, and is still a regular periodical published by the Magic Lantern Society in the UK. Past and present authors include: Willem Tebra, Ron Morris, Hermann Hecht, David Henry, Richard Crangle, Bill Barnes, Ine Van Dooren, Mervyn Heard, Lester Smith, Laurent Mannoni, John Barnes, Damer Waddington, David Robinson, Stephen Herbert, Thomas Weynants, Deac Rossell, Philip Banham, David Francis, Hauke Lang-Fuchs, Lindsay Lambert, John Jones, Mike Smith, and many others.

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New Magic Lantern Journal

Volume 7



One of a limited edition of bound copies of the Society's New Magic Lantern Journal. Featuring articles by members of the society, book reviews, and occasional reprints from old publications. Each volume contains three issues of the Journal. The New Magic Lantern Journal was launched in 1978, and is still a regular periodical published by the Magic Lantern Society in the UK. Past and present authors include: Willem Tebra, Ron Morris, Hermann Hecht, David Henry, Richard Crangle, Bill Barnes, Ine Van Dooren, Mervyn Heard, Lester Smith, Laurent Mannoni, John Barnes, Damer Waddington, David Robinson, Stephen Herbert, Thomas Weynants, Deac Rossell, Philip Banham, David Francis, Hauke Lang-Fuchs, Lindsay Lambert, John Jones, Mike Smith, and many others.

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The Optical Magic Lantern Journal and Photographic Enlarger
A Magazine of Popular Science for the Lecture-room and the Domestic Circle.

FACSIMILE REPRINTS

The original Magic Lantern Journal is a hugely important resource for anyone interetsed in researching the lantern and its uses in the final quarter of the 19th century. Some years ago the Magic Lantern Society (UK) reprinted several of these early journals, and some copies are now being made available - while limited stocks last.

Vol.1 No.1, 15 June, 1889

This issue includes:

the magic Lantern - construction, illumination, optics pt1
various names by which the lantern is known
diagram slides
moonlight effect
explosion of a gas cylinder
applications for patents



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Optical Magic Lantern Journal (reprint)
Vol.5 No.67, December 1894

FACSIMILE REPRINT

This issue includes:
effects for a bi-unial
old Polytechnic lanterns and slides
first opaque lantern
modern optical illusons -IV
Manchester enlarging lantern
soap bubbles and films
tank for vertical attachments
collodion slides
how to build a bi-unial - IX
and many advertisements



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Optical Magic Lantern Journal (reprint)
Vol.7 No.80, January 1896

FACSIMILE REPRINT

This issue includes:
testing limelight jets
the haunts of Glasgow lanternists
the limelight: history and use
Is the lantern played out? No
and many pages of advertisements



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Optical Magic Lantern Journal (reprint)
Vol.7 No.88, September 1896

FACSIMILE REPRINT

This issue includes:
dissolving with single lantern
exhibitng snow scenes in the lantern
invention and development of the optical lantern
the lantern as an educational instrument
to locate a leak in a gas-bag
patents list



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