The Optical Magic Lantern Journal (November 1889)

The Optical Magic Lantern Journal and Photographic Enlarger. 45 hibited, another photograph is placed in the grooves under the front tubes previously occupied by the first one. By another turn of the handle the curtain descends, and shuts out the view, only to rise again immediately to disclose the second picture now on the ‘screen, the first one having been removed by the same action. This automatic action goes on all through the entertainment, and no motion of the slides is seen on ‘the screen, as the substitution of the one picture for another is made during the momentary descent of the curtain. But in addition to this movement, the inventor has so constructed it that mechanical, or similar slides, chromotropes, &c., in wooden frames can also be introduced at any time during the entertainment, or between the exhibition of two series of views, and such mounted slides can also be exhibited one after another, with the curtain effect in the same way as the photographic slides. A Lantern Association. IN another column attention is called by Mr. T. H. Holding to the desirability of forming a lantern association in London. There are many who have lanterns who would highly prize the means of gaining the necessary knowledge of how to manipulate a lantern to advantage, and there are also many who would appreciate the opportunity of giving a short lecture in public, so as to gain confidence in themselves in case that at any time they were called upon to fill such a position, either as a means of amusement or profit. There are various /z7es upon which an association of this nature may be run, one being that the members draw lots as to who shall manipulate the lantern and describe the slides ; the other members, if necessary, contributing slides and giving a friendly criticism upon ‘the doings of the operator, &c. It would, of course, add to the general interest if members were permitted ‘to bring their friends at stated times. We shall be pleased to hear what our readers have to say upon the subject, and perhaps the London Lantern Association ‘may be something in the near future. Flashes on Lantern Topics. TURNING my shiner over the recent applications for patents, I note the resuscitation of an old acquaintance, and, if I mistake not, it is by the same person—at least the name, Mr. Malloch, is the same. The number is 14,701 ; the date September 18, 1889; and the claim is for the use of “‘A glass plate or other transparent substance coated with a non-actinic film, .and used as a negative for photographic and other purposes.” Now, if any reader takes the trouble to look at my last “ Flash” in No. 3, it will be seen that this identical thing is there described as being the work—I do not say the invention—of the late Dr. Strethill Wright, M.D., F.R.S.E., &c., for positives and for use as lantern slides. Of course they could have been, and were, used as negatives for silver prints, and therefore for any other kind of print. A further and fuller statement on this subject may be desirable. Many years ago—more than twenty— a Mr. Malloch, who was not a member, applied through the proper quarter for liberty to show something new in this particular way at a meeting of the Edinburgh Photographic Society. The Council granted the application, stipulating as provided by the rules, that the favour should not be used for advertising purposes. On the communication being made, and the examples shown, they were found to be wretched drawings on soot-covered plates, miserably executed in all respects. He was then and there informed of the Doctor's work in the same direction as things he had done several years before. If I remember well, the gentleman lost his temper. So much for that part of the question. I might, if I had thought it of any consequence, have been more circumstantial in my last “ Flash,” which fortunately was printed before the patent was applied for. It may be added here that the soot-covered glass does not take the thin varnish very readily, but this is easily overcome by either flooding it with spirit of wine (methylated), or by dipping it ina flat bath thereof till the dry black is saturated. After draining off the surplus, it will take the varnish quite easily. Asa further outcome of this matter, it may be stated that Mr. Norman Macbeth, R.S.A. (portrait painter), showed a number of etchings he had amused himself with making on dry collodion plates prepared for photographic use. His method was to use either a hard pen with the half nib broken off, or a needle fixed in a handle, and these of various degrees of fineness used as etching needles. From the fact of Mr. Macbeth having been trained as an engraver, and being in addition an accomplished artist, it may be guessed they were well and beautifully executed. The method was to lay the prepared plate on black paper during the working. A difficulty occurred in printing through some of the plates not being sufficiently opaque; but at my suggestion they were treated by Mr. Cary Lea’s method of intensifying. This proved so successful that I transferred several of them to the lithographic stone and got them printed, and they were a great success. An attempt was also made successfully to get slight half-tones by scraping and otherwise treating the film and the stone. This, I think, if Mr. Malloch should see it, ought to make him pause before completing his specification.