Hall's illustrated catalogue of magic lanterns, dissolving lanterns, and stereopticons : for societies, parlor entertainment, panoramas, and public exhibitions. (1873?)

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68 hall's illustrated catalogue. and his instrument are entirely away from the audience. By wetting- the screen it is rendered transparent, and the picture shows equally as well on both sides. In giving- an exhibition, the first thing is, to properly fix the screen. Fasten the rope across the hall, to the walls if possible; but, if the hall be too wide, affix to two wooden standards, placed from eight to ten feet from end of hall. Then dip the screen in water, thoroughly wetting it, suspend it by rings with the rope, drawn tightly as possible, fastening it to the floor — as all depends upon its being tightly stretched. In case of the instrument being- used in front of the screen, place the latter directly against the wall. The size of the picture depends upon the distance the instrument is placed from the screen. The proper size is from five to seven feet. Use the best of kerosene oil in the lamp. See that the wicks are both evenly cut and roll up together, and the chimney and reflector are perfectly clean, &c. Place the lamp in the instrument before lighting it — the chim- ney is so constructed as to enable it to be lifted from the wicks in order to light them. Then turn up the wicks so as to get as much light as possible, without smoking. Move the lamp inside the lantern, to and fro, until the brightest circle is obtained. If the light is too near the condenser, or inner lens, a dark shadow is produced at the top of the circle, and if too far off, a dark shadow is produced at the lower part. By moving the lamp between the two a bright circle is obtainable, thus indicating that the lamp is in proper focus with the lenses. Place the pictures in the order you wish to show them, as near at hand as possible. The pictures are to be put in the slide, be- tween the lenses, in an inverted position. "With a little practice any person can so place the picture as to insure its properly show- ing in the centre of the circle. We have spent a long time, and had much experience in perfect- ing this instrument. The lenses, mounting, and whole finish of the instrument are as perfect as can be made, and we challenge any other instrument to competition. Our reason for naming it the Photo-opticon is its special adapt- ability for showing photographic pictures, which an ordinary magic lantern will not do.