Two scarce early books on the magic lantern:

1. [E.J. Wall?], The Magic Lantern: Its Construction and Use. By a Fellow of the Chemical Society (London: Perken, Son & Rayment, n.d. [c.1890]), pp. 140 [83–140 catalogue], [12 ads], testimonials to flyleaves. First edition in pictorial cloth; numerous woodcut illustrations, and a profusely illustrated catalogue for Perken, Son & Rayment to the rear, with an additional 12 pages further advertisements. The first edition is very scarce: COPAC lists only 6 copies. The author has been tentatively identified as Edward John Wall, known to have authored other books as ‘a Fellow of the Chemical Society’. Good to very good condition: binding a little weak but holding; pages brittle but clean and bright throughtout.

2. [Anon., ‘An Expert’], The Art of Projection and Complete Magic Lantern Manual (London: E.A. Beckett, 1893), pp. [4], 194, [1 ads]. First edition of this substantial and beautifully illustrated treatise on the magic lantern, with folding plate of the impressive ‘Docwra Triple’ lantern. The title-page boasts ‘including a synopsis of the perfect manipulation of a triple lantern and effects, hitherto never published in book form’. Good condition: green cloth a little warped and wrinkled along edges (but see photos). With four-page advertisement for W.C. Hughes loosely laid in.