Please be advised: this website contains the names, images and voices of people who are now deceased.

Collections WA has a responsibility to preserve and make accessible the history and culture of Western Australia in all its various forms. The intention of Collections WA is to support research, and to reveal actions of the past that have impacted upon communities, families, and individuals.

In doing so, Collections WA acknowledges the need to respond sensitively and appropriately in cases when accessing this material may be confronting to Aboriginal visitors and clients.

Please also note: Some historical materials within this portal may include language or opinions that today are considered inappropriate or even offensive. Collections WA does not endorse this language and apologises for any distress caused.

Continue

Continue showing cultural advice

Stop showing cultural advice

Collections WA brings together collections from libraries, galleries, museums, archives, historical societies, cultural organisations, community groups and other collecting organisations across Western Australia.

Katanning Historical Society > Records

Magic Lantern

« Prev Item Next Item »

Ernst Plank

1906

Subcollections

Domestic Items or Equipment

Overview

A black metal lantern with gilt feet, a removable chimney and removable cylindrical lens. There is a door at one side which is hinged with a catch and inside is a lamp with wick and kerosene container. There is an opening behind the lens to insert and move the slides.

Historical information

The item originally was complete with box, lantern and slides, however as of 2026 the box is missing and part of the instructions are missing. To operate the lanter, the container with the wick would be filled with some flammable liquid and then the wick would be lit, smoke would exit via the chimney and light would shine through the lens. Slides would be moved through the slot behind the lens.

Details

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-202-HS2005.26

Item type

Lanterns

Material

Metal

Width

8 mm

Height or length

30 mm

Depth

27 mm

Inscriptions and markings

On the side which open is a oblong silver coloured metal plate is a symbol which has a wing either side of a wheel and underneath the initials "E.P".

Contextual information

This was the first 'movie', in which the length of the story and audio effects were dependent on the person who was moving the slides through the slot.

Place made

Germany

Year

Primary significance criteria

Historic significance

Social or spiritual significance

Links to additional resources

National Film and Sound Archives [www.nfsa.gov.au]

Information on Magic Lanterns.

Last modified

Saturday, 12 September, 2026

Completeness

100

Copyright and Reference

Copyright and Reference

Rights category

Date of creation +70 years

Permissions

Please contact the Katanning Historical Society for reproduction of image or for access to a higher resolution image.

Attribution requirements

Courtesy of Katanning Historical Society.

Katanning Historical Society

Katanning Historical Society

Other items from Katanning Historical Society

Front view of Magic Lantern and Slide

Front view of Magic Lantern and Slide

Side view of Magic Lantern and Slide

Side view of Magic Lantern and Slide

Open view of Magic Lantern

Open view of Magic Lantern

Back view of Magic Lantern and Slide

Back view of Magic Lantern and Slide

Top view of Magic Lantern and Slide

Top view of Magic Lantern and Slide

Media reuse | View full size | Item feedback

Scan this QR code to open this page on your phone ->

Full size unavailable (you're already seeing this image in its highest resolution available on Collections WA)

Loading...