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Antique Magic Lanterns

Beautiful Scottish Victorian Mahogany Magic Lantern or Camera
Beautiful Scottish Victorian Mahogany Magic Lantern or Camera

Beautiful Scottish Victorian Mahogany Magic Lantern or Camera

Located in Antwerp, BE

A beautiful Scottish Victorian mahogany magic lantern, made by William Hume, scientific instrument maker, Edinburgh.

Category

Late 19th Century Scottish Victorian Antique Magic Lanterns

Materials

Brass

Two astronomical magic lantern slides of Solar & Lunar Eclipses
Two astronomical magic lantern slides of Solar & Lunar Eclipses

Two astronomical magic lantern slides of Solar & Lunar Eclipses

Located in London, GB

Two mechanical astronomical magic lantern slides of Solar & Lunar Eclipses, circa 1840.

Category

1840s English Antique Magic Lanterns

Materials

Brass

Victorian Hand-Painted Mechanical Magic Lantern Slide with Humorous Scenes
Victorian Hand-Painted Mechanical Magic Lantern Slide with Humorous Scenes

Victorian Hand-Painted Mechanical Magic Lantern Slide with Humorous Scenes

Located in Nottingham, GB

Victorian Hand-Painted Mechanical Magic Lantern Slides with Humorous Scenes Material: Glass, Wood A charming collection of late 19th century Victorian hand-painted mechanical magic...

Category

19th Century Antique Magic Lanterns

Materials

Glass, Wood

Hexagonal Lampascope Magic Lantern by Alphonse Giroux – 19th Century –
Hexagonal Lampascope Magic Lantern by Alphonse Giroux – 19th Century –

Hexagonal Lampascope Magic Lantern by Alphonse Giroux – 19th Century –

By Alphonse Giroux et Cie

Located in NANTES, FR

It was designed to be placed over a household oil lamp and used as a magic lantern. The wooden part and the wire are later additions.

Category

19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Magic Lanterns

Materials

Wood

Baush & Lomb Baloptican Magic Lantern Slide Projector/Original Case c.1911
Baush & Lomb Baloptican Magic Lantern Slide Projector/Original Case c.1911

Baush & Lomb Baloptican Magic Lantern Slide Projector/Original Case c.1911

Located in San Francisco, CA

ABOUT An antique Bausch & Lomb magic lantern slide projector with original metal carrying case.

Category

Early 20th Century Antique Magic Lanterns

Materials

Metal, Brass, Cast Iron

Antique Carl Simon Hand-Colored Magic Lantern Slides World Tour Box
Antique Carl Simon Hand-Colored Magic Lantern Slides World Tour Box

Antique Carl Simon Hand-Colored Magic Lantern Slides World Tour Box

By Carl Simon

Located in Cologne, DE

Antique hand-colored magic lantern slide series – Finland – Carl Simon & Co., Düsseldorf – complete set of 75 slides in original wooden box.

Category

Early 20th Century Antique Magic Lanterns

Materials

Glass

Set of 22 Antique 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exposition Magic Lantern Slides
Set of 22 Antique 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exposition Magic Lantern Slides

Set of 22 Antique 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exposition Magic Lantern Slides

Located in Philadelphia, PA

A fine set of 23 antique magic lantern slides. Lantern slides are an early photographic invention from 1850 intended for use with a 'magic lantern' projector.

Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Magic Lanterns

Materials

Metal

19th Century German “Magic Lantern” Image Projector with Brass Lens
19th Century German “Magic Lantern” Image Projector with Brass Lens

19th Century German “Magic Lantern” Image Projector with Brass Lens

Located in Middleburg, VA

A captivating piece of pre-cinema history, this 19th-century German "magic lantern" image projector is an evocative relic from the dawn of visual storytelling.

Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Magic Lanterns

Materials

Brass, Metal, Steel, Iron, Sheet Metal, Tin

Chinese Dancing Bear and Magic Lantern Show, Antique Steel Engraving, 1859
Chinese Dancing Bear and Magic Lantern Show, Antique Steel Engraving, 1859

Chinese Dancing Bear and Magic Lantern Show, Antique Steel Engraving, 1859

Located in Langweer, NL

The captions translate as The bear's dance and Magic lantern. Below the second caption the publisher's line reads "Publié par Furne, Paris" (Published by Furne, Paris).

Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Magic Lanterns

Materials

Paper

7 Magic Lantern Slides, Motifs Belgium
7 Magic Lantern Slides, Motifs Belgium

7 Magic Lantern Slides, Motifs Belgium

Located in Brønshøj, DK

7 Antique glass lantern slides with motifs of Belgium. 1. Brussels, panorama 2. Bussels, Grand Palace, portraying people on the central square 3. Brussels, Town Hall 4. Ostende...

Category

Early 20th Century Belgian Antique Magic Lanterns

Materials

Glass

Set of 4 Antique Prints Illustrating the Political Climate in Switzerland '1800'
Set of 4 Antique Prints Illustrating the Political Climate in Switzerland '1800'

Set of 4 Antique Prints Illustrating the Political Climate in Switzerland '1800'

Located in Langweer, NL

This set includes the frontispiece, a scene with the magic lantern, a show booth and a collection of 10 small images on the history of the Helvetic Revolution.

Category

Early 19th Century Antique Magic Lanterns

Materials

Paper

Large English Antique Brass Desk Magnifying Glass / Paperweight - Optimus Lens
Large English Antique Brass Desk Magnifying Glass / Paperweight - Optimus Lens

Large English Antique Brass Desk Magnifying Glass / Paperweight - Optimus Lens

Located in Bath, GB

These large circular magnifiers actually are the condenser or magnifier from a Magic Lantern dating to around 1910; they are rescued, polished up and put back to use in the modern da...

Category

1910s British Edwardian Antique Magic Lanterns

Materials

Brass

Large English Antique Brass Desk Magnifying Glass / Paperweight c.1910
Large English Antique Brass Desk Magnifying Glass / Paperweight c.1910

Large English Antique Brass Desk Magnifying Glass / Paperweight c.1910

Located in Bath, GB

These large circular magnifiers actually are the condenser or magnifier from a Magic Lantern dating to around 1910; they are rescued, polished up and put back to use in the modern da...

Category

1910s British Antique Magic Lanterns

Materials

Brass

La Chapelle - Post Impressionist Figurative Oil by Ferdinand du Puigaudeau
La Chapelle - Post Impressionist Figurative Oil by Ferdinand du Puigaudeau

La Chapelle - Post Impressionist Figurative Oil by Ferdinand du Puigaudeau

By Ferdinand du Puigaudeau

Located in Marlow, Buckinghamshire

He is mainly admired for his scenes of village life, urban landscapes or landscapes with figures at dusk and at night. These include: Magic Lantern in the Evening, around 1896, Festi...

Category

1910s Post-Impressionist Antique Magic Lanterns

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Les Meules - Post Impressionist Landscape Oil by Ferdinand du Puigaudeau
Les Meules - Post Impressionist Landscape Oil by Ferdinand du Puigaudeau

Les Meules - Post Impressionist Landscape Oil by Ferdinand du Puigaudeau

By Ferdinand du Puigaudeau

Located in Marlow, Buckinghamshire

He is mainly admired for his scenes of village life, urban landscapes or landscapes with figures at dusk and at night. These include: Magic Lantern in the Evening, around 1896, Festi...

Category

Early 1900s Post-Impressionist Antique Magic Lanterns

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Clair de Lune - Post Impressionist Landscape Oil by Ferdinand du Puigaudeau
Clair de Lune - Post Impressionist Landscape Oil by Ferdinand du Puigaudeau

Clair de Lune - Post Impressionist Landscape Oil by Ferdinand du Puigaudeau

By Ferdinand du Puigaudeau

Located in Marlow, Buckinghamshire

He is mainly admired for his scenes of village life, urban landscapes or landscapes with figures at dusk and at night. These include: Magic Lantern in the Evening, around 1896, Festi...

Category

1910s Post-Impressionist Antique Magic Lanterns

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Coucher de soleil - Post Impressionist Landscape Oil by Ferdinand du Puigaudeau
Coucher de soleil - Post Impressionist Landscape Oil by Ferdinand du Puigaudeau

Coucher de soleil - Post Impressionist Landscape Oil by Ferdinand du Puigaudeau

By Ferdinand du Puigaudeau

Located in Marlow, Buckinghamshire

He is mainly admired for his scenes of village life, urban landscapes or landscapes with figures at dusk and at night. These include: Magic Lantern in the Evening, around 1896, Festi...

Category

1910s Post-Impressionist Antique Magic Lanterns

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Recent Sales

Heintz Art Metal Magic Lantern Lamp
Heintz Art Metal Magic Lantern Lamp

Heintz Art Metal Magic Lantern Lamp

Unavailable

H 16 in Dm 9 in

Heintz Art Metal Magic Lantern Lamp

By Heintz Art Metal Shop

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Mica-lined shade with a band of cutout "magic" lanterns is complemented by 4 sterling overlaid lanterns encircling base.

Category

Early 20th Century Antique Magic Lanterns

Magic Lantern by Ernst Plank, 1910-1920
Magic Lantern by Ernst Plank, 1910-1920

Magic Lantern by Ernst Plank, 1910-1920

Unavailable

H 21 in W 12 in D 20 in

Magic Lantern by Ernst Plank, 1910-1920

By Ernst Plank

Located in Lugano, Ticino

Beautiful and decorative magic lantern by Ernst Plank, 1910-1920.

Category

1910s European Antique Magic Lanterns

German "Magic Lantern" Complete, in it's Original Box, Never Used, Early 1900s
German "Magic Lantern" Complete, in it's Original Box, Never Used, Early 1900s

German "Magic Lantern" Complete, in it's Original Box, Never Used, Early 1900s

Located in Petaluma, CA

This is an incredible German Antique "Magic Lantern" complete and in it's original box, never used.

Category

Early 20th Century German Art Nouveau Antique Magic Lanterns

Materials

Tin

Large Brass Desk Magnifier from a Magic Lantern, circa 1910
Large Brass Desk Magnifier from a Magic Lantern, circa 1910

Large Brass Desk Magnifier from a Magic Lantern, circa 1910

Located in Umberleigh, Devon

A good large brass desk magnifier that would have originally been from a magic lantern, circa 1910. Worldwide delivery is included in the price.

Category

1910s Great Britain (UK) Antique Magic Lanterns

Materials

Brass

Gothic Pendant from the Magic Kingdom Collection
Gothic Pendant from the Magic Kingdom Collection

Gothic Pendant from the Magic Kingdom Collection

Unavailable

H 19 in W 8 in D 8 in

Gothic Pendant from the Magic Kingdom Collection

By Steven Handelman

Located in Santa Barbara, CA

This authentic Wrought Iron Gothic Lantern was originally made for a theme park in Anaheim Ca. The intricate forged iron lantern is composed of over 50 individual handmade parts. ...

Category

Mid-19th Century French Gothic Antique Magic Lanterns

Materials

Iron

Stowaway Photograph
Stowaway Photograph

Stowaway Photograph

Unavailable

H 35 in W 35 in D 1 in

Stowaway Photograph

Located in New York, NY

Oversized Flush Mounted Stowaway Photograph, England. Glass Magic Lantern Slide hand-painted. A French cleat floats the 35" X 35" photograph an inch off the wall.

Category

19th Century English Antique Magic Lanterns

Unique Collection of Forty-Nine Light-Box Framed Lantern Slides of WWI Interest
Unique Collection of Forty-Nine Light-Box Framed Lantern Slides of WWI Interest

Unique Collection of Forty-Nine Light-Box Framed Lantern Slides of WWI Interest

By Doe & Hope

Located in Bedford, Bedfordshire

Each slide gives a huge insight into the real goings on of war, some being touching and others macabre and harrowing, though each wonderfully touching. The magic lantern is the fo...

Category

1910s English Antique Magic Lanterns

Materials

Smoked Glass

Tooverkaart of Genees middel der Wind-Breuken vant Zuid west en de [...].

Tooverkaart of Genees middel der Wind-Breuken vant Zuid west en de [...].

Located in Zeeland, Noord-Brabant

. - Pl. 73: Playing cards with figures. 18 small images in total, of acrobats, magicians and circus performers, incl. a magic lantern. Original engraved print from "Het Groote Tafer...

Category

1720s Antique Magic Lanterns

Materials

Engraving, Etching

Tooverkaart of Genees middel der Wind-Breuken vant Zuid west en de [...].

Tooverkaart of Genees middel der Wind-Breuken vant Zuid west en de [...].

Located in Zeeland, Noord-Brabant

The images show circus performers, acrobats and magicians incl a magic lantern. Original engraved print from "Het Groote Tafereel der Dwaasheid, vertoonende de opkomst, voortgang en...

Category

1720s Antique Magic Lanterns

Materials

Engraving, Etching

Plate 33: Gedenkboog ter begraafplaats der uitgeteerde Actionisten.

Plate 33: Gedenkboog ter begraafplaats der uitgeteerde Actionisten.

Located in Zeeland, Noord-Brabant

At left front a man with a magic lantern (tover lantaarn). Original engraved print from "Het Groote Tafereel der Dwaasheid, vertoonende de opkomst, voortgang en ondergang der Actie,...

Category

1720s Antique Magic Lanterns

Materials

Engraving, Etching

Collection of 10 Nautical Photographs Printed from Hand-Painted Glass Slides
Collection of 10 Nautical Photographs Printed from Hand-Painted Glass Slides

Collection of 10 Nautical Photographs Printed from Hand-Painted Glass Slides

By United Kingdom Band of Hope Union

Located in New York, NY

(slides) English circa 1891from the UK Band of Hope Union 38 hand painted glass Magic Lantern slides tell the whole story. I have selected the 10 most visually striking. 12" X 12"...

Category

19th Century British Victorian Antique Magic Lanterns

Magic Lantern Projector Lens
Magic Lantern Projector Lens

Magic Lantern Projector Lens

Located in Culver City, CA

Magic lantern projector lens with brass surround

Category

19th Century English Antique Magic Lanterns

Materials

Brass

Magic Lantern Projector Lens, circa 1910.
Magic Lantern Projector Lens, circa 1910.

Magic Lantern Projector Lens, circa 1910.

Sold

H 16.25 in W 8.5 in D 3 in

Magic Lantern Projector Lens, circa 1910.

Located in London, GB

The lens was originally part of a magic lantern which was the earliest form of a slide projector.

Category

1910s British Antique Magic Lanterns

Materials

Brass

Antique Magic Lantern Projector
Antique Magic Lantern Projector

Antique Magic Lantern Projector

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H 9.38 in W 5.38 in D 16.25 in

Antique Magic Lantern Projector

Located in Sag Harbor, NY

A wonderful French magic lantern with 4 images and original case. The lens is signed "Darlot Paris."

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Magic Lanterns

Bronze Cased Lens from an Early Magic Lantern
Bronze Cased Lens from an Early Magic Lantern

Bronze Cased Lens from an Early Magic Lantern

Located in Culver City, CA

Magnifying Lens for a Vintage Magic Lantern Projector, encased in a bronze holder.

Category

19th Century English Antique Magic Lanterns

Materials

Bronze

English 19th Century Magic Lantern Lens Set
English 19th Century Magic Lantern Lens Set

English 19th Century Magic Lantern Lens Set

Located in London, GB

Magic lantern lens et A set of late 19th century magic lantern oversized lenses. 4 brass and 1 silver framed, in various sizes as detailed below.

Category

Early 1900s British Victorian Antique Magic Lanterns

Materials

Glass

Antique Print of a Bear Dance and Magic Lantern in Guangzhou, China, 1859
Antique Print of a Bear Dance and Magic Lantern in Guangzhou, China, 1859

Antique Print of a Bear Dance and Magic Lantern in Guangzhou, China, 1859

Located in Langweer, NL

Print of a bear dance and 'magic lantern' in Guangzhou (Canton), China. This print originates from 'Histoire générale des voyages par Dumont D'Urville (..)' by Jules Sébastien César ...

Category

19th Century Antique Magic Lanterns

Materials

Paper

Large Brass Magnifying Lens, circa 1910
Large Brass Magnifying Lens, circa 1910

Large Brass Magnifying Lens, circa 1910

Located in Culver City, CA

Brass magnifying lens, circa 1910. Ssalvaged from a magic lantern condenser. Encased in brass.

Category

1910s English Antique Magic Lanterns

Materials

Brass

Small Brass and Glass Magnifying Lens, circa 1910
Small Brass and Glass Magnifying Lens, circa 1910

Small Brass and Glass Magnifying Lens, circa 1910

Located in Culver City, CA

A collection of magnifying glass lenses salvaged from Magic Lantern condensers and telescopes. Encased in brass.

Category

1910s English Antique Magic Lanterns

Materials

Brass

Large English Antique Brass Desk Magnifying Glass / Paperweight, circa 1910
Large English Antique Brass Desk Magnifying Glass / Paperweight, circa 1910

Large English Antique Brass Desk Magnifying Glass / Paperweight, circa 1910

Located in Bath, GB

These large circular magnifiers actually are the condenser or magnifier from a magic lantern dating to circa 1910; they are rescued, polished up and put back to use in the modern day...

Category

1910s English Edwardian Antique Magic Lanterns

Materials

Brass

English Antique Brass Desk Magnifying Glass / Paperweight, circa 1910
English Antique Brass Desk Magnifying Glass / Paperweight, circa 1910

English Antique Brass Desk Magnifying Glass / Paperweight, circa 1910

Located in Bath, GB

These large circular magnifiers actually are the condenser or magnifier from a Magic Lantern dating to circa 1910; they are rescued, polished up and put back to use in the modern day...

Category

1910s English Edwardian Antique Magic Lanterns

Materials

Brass

Large English Antique Brass Desk Magnifying Glass / Paperweight, circa 1910
Large English Antique Brass Desk Magnifying Glass / Paperweight, circa 1910

Large English Antique Brass Desk Magnifying Glass / Paperweight, circa 1910

Located in Bath, GB

These large circular magnifiers actually are the condenser or magnifier from a Magic Lantern dating to circa 1910; they are rescued, polished up and put back to use in the modern day...

Category

1910s English Edwardian Antique Magic Lanterns

Materials

Brass

Huge English Antique Brass Desk Magnifying Glass or Paperweight, circa 1910
Huge English Antique Brass Desk Magnifying Glass or Paperweight, circa 1910

Huge English Antique Brass Desk Magnifying Glass or Paperweight, circa 1910

Located in Bath, GB

These large circular magnifiers actually are the condenser or magnifier from a Magic Lantern dating to around 1910; they are rescued, polished up and put back to use in the modern da...

Category

1910s Edwardian Antique Magic Lanterns

Materials

Brass

Large English Antique Brass Desk Magnifying Glass / Paperweight, circa 1910
Large English Antique Brass Desk Magnifying Glass / Paperweight, circa 1910

Large English Antique Brass Desk Magnifying Glass / Paperweight, circa 1910

Located in Bath, GB

These large circular magnifiers actually are the condenser or magnifier from a Magic Lantern dating to circa 1910; they are rescued, polished up and put back to use in the modern day...

Category

Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Magic Lanterns

Materials

Brass

Large English Antique Brass Desk Magnifying Glass or Paperweight, circa 1910
Large English Antique Brass Desk Magnifying Glass or Paperweight, circa 1910

Large English Antique Brass Desk Magnifying Glass or Paperweight, circa 1910

Located in Bath, GB

These large circular magnifiers actually are the condenser or magnifier from a Magic Lantern dating to circa 1910. They are rescued, polished up and put back to use in the modern day...

Category

Early 1900s English Antique Magic Lanterns

Materials

Brass

Large English Antique Brass Desk Magnifying Glass / Paperweight, c.1910
Large English Antique Brass Desk Magnifying Glass / Paperweight, c.1910

Large English Antique Brass Desk Magnifying Glass / Paperweight, c.1910

Located in Bath, GB

These large circular magnifiers actually are the condenser or magnifier from a Magic Lantern dating to around 1910; they are rescued, polished up and put back to use in the modern da...

Category

1910s British Edwardian Antique Magic Lanterns

Materials

Brass

Large English Antique Brass Desk Magnifying Glass / Paperweight c.1910
Large English Antique Brass Desk Magnifying Glass / Paperweight c.1910

Large English Antique Brass Desk Magnifying Glass / Paperweight c.1910

Located in Bath, GB

These large circular magnifiers actually are the condenser or magnifier from a Magic Lantern dating to around 1910 they are rescued, polished up and put back to use in the modern day...

Category

1910s European Edwardian Antique Magic Lanterns

Materials

Brass

Large English Antique Brass Desk Magnifying Glass / Paperweight, circa 1910
Large English Antique Brass Desk Magnifying Glass / Paperweight, circa 1910

Large English Antique Brass Desk Magnifying Glass / Paperweight, circa 1910

Located in Bath, GB

These large circular magnifiers actually are the condenser or magnifier from a Magic Lantern dating to circa 1910; they are rescued, polished up and put back to use in the modern day...

Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Antique Magic Lanterns

Materials

Brass

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Antique Magic Lanterns For Sale on 1stDibs

Find a variety of antique magic lanterns available on 1stDibs. Each of these unique antique magic lanterns was constructed with extraordinary care, often using metal, brass and glass. Antique magic lanterns have long been popular, with older editions for sale from the 19th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 20th Century. Antique magic lanterns are generally popular furniture pieces, but Victorian, Industrial and Art Nouveau styles are often sought at 1stDibs. Antique magic lanterns have been a part of the life’s work for many furniture makers, but those produced by Ernst Plank, Grognot and Jean Schoenner are consistently popular.

How Much are Antique Magic Lanterns?

The average selling price for at 1stDibs is $900, while they’re typically $175 on the low end and $16,677 highest priced.

Questions About Antique Magic Lanterns

  • 1stDibs ExpertNovember 26, 2024
    To identify antique railroad lanterns, first see if you can locate a maker's mark on the bottom. Using trusted online resources, you can determine who produced your lantern based on these markings, and then you can research the company to find out when it was in business and making lanterns similar to yours. To be considered an antique, a railroad lantern must be at least 100 years old. If you can't find a maker's marking, it's generally necessary to use the characteristics of a lantern to date it. Because this can be difficult without experience and training, you may wish to seek the opinion of a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer when identifying unmarked railroad lanterns. Explore a selection of lanterns on 1stDibs.