Magic lanterns, also known as optical lanterns, provided one of the most popular forms of entertainment during the Victorian 18th and 19th centuries. Using an artificial light source and a combination of lenses, these devices enlarged small transparency images or miniature models and projected them onto a wall or screen, enchanting upper societies and lordships through out Europe and the United States. While most magic lanterns were basic slides, some were designed to show actual movement by being fitted with precision brass parts, consisting of gears and crank mechanism, including the one we are offering here. Holding the slide up to a light source and turning the crank allows this wood encased and skillfully hand painted glass slide to demonstrate the rotation of the planets of our solar system around the sun, similar to an orrery or tellurian. Magic Lanterns were most commonly used for entertainment and as objects of wonder. The use of a magic lantern to teach astronomy was one of the first useful purposes for these devices. They were used to teach and demonstrate certain aspects of astronomy and became popular tools by lecturers on the subject. Prior to 1850, most magic lantern slides (including this one) were hand-painted on glass, or created using a transfer method to reproduce many copies of a single etching or print. In the middle of the 19th century, however, the development of photographic slides created entirely new uses for the magic lantern, from university lectures to amateur family photo shows. By the end of the 19th century however, the magic lantern was overtaken by the cinematograph, which projected so-called “living pictures.” Though the magic lantern couldn’t compete with these nascent movies, many of the techniques and tricks developed for its optical projections were adopted for motion pictures, like tracking shots, dissolves, and close-ups. Magic lanterns were soon relegated to being the warm-up act for movies, used to project advertisements before the real shows began. Eventually the apparatus evolved into the automatic photo slide projector, which was popular throughout the 20th century. This mechanical slide was more likely part of a set for an enchanting evening of astrology lectures. Note that only 7 planets are displayed rotating the sun. This is because Neptune had not been discovered until 1846. Pluto was discovered in 1930 and named a planet only to be dismissed as such a few years ago ( now considered a planetoid). This and the fact that the images are hand painted makes us confidant to date this artifact to be 1845 or earlier.   Description: The oak frame enclosing this 2-dimensional orrery is 6.75 inches long, about 4 inches wide and 0.75 inches thick. The brass disc holds small, painted glass inserts representing planets and the sun and even smaller holes representing stars in the night. Driven by a brass crank with wooden handle , the disc rotates, demonstrating the planets orbiting around the sun. Remains of a paper label on the side identifying the slide to be the Solar System. Condition: Remarkably well preserved, this petite planetary system is functional! Minor scuffing on the wood. The front glass is broken. We chose not to remove or replace it as it is part of the original artifact.   What a charming way to carry our planetary system in your hand. An elegant mechanical masterpiece of Victorian times.   Well packed this artifact will ship domestic for $14.00, $39.00 world wide. $389        SKU 914VICTORR45