This antique “Magic Lantern” from the Riley Bros of Bradford would make a fantastic collectors display piece. Included in the listing is a second, unidentified projector. Both have surface rust and patina as shown in the photos. We are unsure if the unit is complete or if it is missing parts, so it is being sold as is.
The story of Riley Brothers magic lanterns starts out in 1883, when Joseph Riley (a Bradford businessman) buys a magic lantern for his eldest brothers, William and Herberts. After seeing the educational and fun possibilities of the device, the Riley family decided to share it with a local children charity. The products success made Joseph Riley start his own magic lantern business which he integrated in the familys existing company, Riley Brothers. The brothers (Sam, Herbert, William and Joseph) sold and rented the devices out of their base located at Godwing Street. The Rileys interests in magic lanterns foretold their future integration in the emerging cinematographic business.
Size: 42cm long x 24cm tall