Unis France Magic Projector / Lantern, Wood Label France
Valladolid, Spain
£2,260 per item
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Item details
Height
52.0 cm
Width
80.0 cm
Depth
26.0 cm
Wear conditions
Good
Wear conditions
Excellent
Shows little to no signs of wear and tear.
Good
May show slight traces of use in keeping with age. Most vintage and antique items fit into this condition.
Average
Likely to show signs of some light scratching and ageing but still remains in a fair condition.
Apparent Wear and Tear
Visible signs of previous use including scratches, chips or stains.
Please refer to condition report, images or make a seller enquiry for additional information.
Description
Outstanding and one of a kind folding magic lantern produced by the Unis France association in the first quarter of the 20th century. The function of this optical object is to project the illusion of movement. This is achieved through a simple mechanism: a set of lenses, images on glass plates and a lighting source, in this case a light bulb.
This instrument has a quadrangular structure and is made up of two clearly differentiated elements. The first is the dark case, made of black metal; and the second is the wooden box that hides the bellows and where the objective is located, made of bronze and with a glass lens. This lens rests on a sliding plate so that it can be removed, an advance since in previous models it was screwed. The base of the magic lantern is also made of wood, since to extend the bellows you have to slide the aforementioned wooden box.
The camera obscura, for its part, has different openings, each one for a function - one of them for the slides -, as well as a large chimney at the top to eliminate gases and heat emanating from the light source. It is in this chamber where the light meets the slides, a reflection that is channeled to the lenses, which will enlarge the image on the wall where it is projected.
According to experts in the field, this pre-cinematic mechanism projects the image with brilliant quality, thanks to the color of the old slides, something that has not yet been surpassed by any similar mechanism. It is, therefore, a museum piece for demanding collectors. In good condition considering its age.
Brief history of the magic lantern
The magic lantern is based on a device based on a camera obscura with a set of lenses and a sliding support in which painted transparencies were placed on glass plates. These images were illuminated with an oil lamp, which made it necessary to have a chimney so that the smoke could escape. Its name refers to the "flashlight" and "magic" light, to the projection itself, magic being the power of movement.
The magic lantern is a machine that evolves parallel to the evolution of its components. During the 18th century, improvements affected glass plates, as the chaining mechanism was developed. At the same time, with the development of the incandescent filament lamp, the oil lamp and other less comfortable light sources were eliminated.
In Spain there are references to this device since the 17th century. Later Jovellanos, at the dawn of the 19th century, criticized it for its uses in shows. One of the best known is “Fantasmagoria”, projected at that time by the Frenchman Robertson, but whose presence dated back to previous centuries. At the same time, magic lanterns were used to carry out educational and informative projections, but they soon became a recreational object when they were commercialized. However, with the introduction of cinema came its decline and disuse.
Unis France
Unis France is the largest and most innovative manufacturer of stereo observers in the world. Its products have been sold under different brands and offered by retailers throughout Europe. The "Unis France" label did not represent an exclusive manufacturer, but rather a guarantee of the French origin of high quality products, manufactured by different companies. The idea of creating this brand arose at the beginning of the 20th century since it was very common for people to try to sell products manufactured abroad with the "Made in France" label to deceive the customer. Hence, on December 9, 1915, the National Inter-Union of Collective Brands was founded with the support of the Paris Chamber of Commerce. The initial goal of UNIS was to protect French products. Finally it was decided to use the name UNIS followed by the word France. To be part of this "collective brand", the manufacturer committed that the products were made in France, the members of the Board of Directors and the managers had to be of French nationality, as well as the main owners of the capital. After 6 months of At its creation, there were already more than 70 professional associations affiliated, and after almost 20 years of existence, an article stated that the trademark had been granted to some 3,000 French industrialists and registered in 50 foreign countries.
Dimensions
Total dimensions closed: 52 x 80 x 26 cm.
Height without chimney: 35 cm.
Length with bellows extended: 100 cm.
Condition report:
Good. Wear consistent with age and use.
Cancellations
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Returns
We have a 14-day return guarantee for orders from individual sellers, within the UK and European Union. View full policy.
Free collection available
Yes
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- Ships from Valladolid, Spain
Cancellations and Returns
Last updated: 24th March 2025
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