19th Century Magic Lantern Slides For Children -

Germany, circa 1870; Set of five charming nineteenth century hand painted chromolithograph Magic Lantern slides depicting an assortment of fabulous people and animals. These slides were often used by children’s storytellers narrating folk or fairy tales, advancing the slides to the various characters at the appropriate point within the story. Four of the slides measure 5 1/8" long by 1 3/8" high, the fifth is 6" x 1 1/2". All are constructed of a single sheet of glass with the emulsion on one side, and edges wrapped in paper to protect a child’s or storyteller’s fingers. The fifth slide bears the monogram of the Ernst Plank factory in Nuremberg. The others are not identified as to manufacture. Very Good condition, all colors extremely bright, a very few scattered emulsion scratches, and some reticulation of the upper black portion of the fifth slide.