The Optical Magic Lantern Journal (August 1900)

The Optical Magic Lantern Journal and Photographic Enlarger. 101 Prominent Men in the Lantern World. XIX.—Mr. E. BAKER. R. E. BAKER is a Devonshire man, and spent the whole of his boy| hood in that picturesque county. =, inthe year 1860 he took up his abode at Warminster, Wilts, and remained there till 1882, when he removed to Salisbury, where he has E resided ever since. His first introduction into the lantern world dates so far back as 1865, and originated chiefly in his desire to propagate Biblical truths and temperance principles in a popular manner in the community in which he lived. days of the huge gas-bags and bulky appliances, he often smilingly remarks, which continued to harass the ambitious lantern operator for many years. Mr. Baker’s fame in this direction soon extended outside Warminster, and subsequently he was invited to exhibit at Southampton, Frome, Trowbridge, and other towns. With each engagement it might be truly said his reputation, viz., that of being a painstaking careful operator, with an unmistakable desire to use the influence of the lantern for good in every sense of the term, increased. Considerable impetus was given to what has proved a most successful career, by an invitation tendered him by the late H.R.H. Duke of Albany to entertain a distinguished assembly at Boynton, Warminster. His Royal Highness That was in the’ expressed his hearty approval of the exhibition in no unmistakable terms. Since he took up his abode in the cathedral city, Mr. Baker has displayed increased ardour in his profession by sparing neither time nor expense in securing that perfection which characterises his exhibitions at the present day. He has accumulated a large stock of slides, numbering upwards of 20,000, which deals with every subject under the sun—Biblical, geographical, educational, temperance, and other subjects too numerous to enumerate. These are now ranged in perfect order upon shelves in his warehouse in Fisherton Street. Mr. Baker is always accessible to those who desire to emulate his example, and who come to him for advice. For a reasonable figure he permits such to hire his slides, and it is needless to say this opportunity is taken advantage of by ministers, temperance advocates, and public lecturers to illustrate the subjects they deal with from time to time in the locality. Sir Robert Ball, the renowned professor and lecturer on astronomy, who requisitioned the services of Mr. Baker to illustrate one of his astronomical lectures, characterised the lantern used on this occasion as the finest he had ever séen. The lantern used then and now was constructed specially for Mr. Baker by his friend Mr. Beard of London, the well-known inventor of the automatic regulation principle and other improvements in the lantern which have done so much to bring about the perfection j to be observed at the present day. This lantern embodies three sets of lenses mounted in massive polished brass and constitutes a triple lantern capable of producing the finest dioramic effects. Itis superfluous to say that Mr. Baker took prompt advantage of the compressed gas system when it was first introduced, and, in fact, he is always up-to-date with his exhibitions; this quality has been particuiarly noticeable in relation to the war. During the past winter he has presented a series of beautiful slides depicting the principal events in the campaign to crowded and enthusiastic audiences in all parts of the country. Mr. Baker is now devoting his attention to the cinematograph system, and is a firm believer in its power to popularise still further lantern exhibitions in the future. He is at present having a lantern constructed which will combine the ordinary limelight lantern and cinematograph system; the reason for the adoption of this principle is obvious. For some time past Mr. Baker has been