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Magic Lantern
Unlike the other magic lanterns in
our collection, the walls of this magic lantern's body has been
decorated with a pattern of stars and circles. The patterns
are made of holes that have been punched through the walls, so
that light from the lamp can shine through. In a large room,
the effect is a bright pattern of light on three walls, in
addition to the projected slide.
Another special feature of this
lantern is its base. There are four legs instead of one flat
base. Because this minimizes the total area in contact with
a table, there is a greater chance that the lantern can tip over
if someone bumped into it. Magic lanterns such as these were
common fire hazards, probably provoking the first stampedes of
people trying to escape a burning theater.
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