Collection of Lantern Slides of Early Rochester Maps

Item — Box: 1-2

Identifier: 2020-002

Staff Only

Content Description

This collection consist of two boxes of lantern slides totalling 91 unique slides. The slides are mostly images of early maps of the Rochester, N. Y., area, but a few are photographs or images political cartoons. The date of creation of the materials and their creator is unknown; the materials were found together in a box in the collections of the Local History and Genealogy Division and are described as a single collection based on their physical association. The bulk of the collection consists of slides of maps, and comprises the first series. The second series is a small, distinct group of slides that was found in the same box as the first, but are not included in the inventory of contents of the box that was pasted to the box's lid.

Dates

Creation: Unknown.

Conditions Governing Access

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of the collection.

Conditions Governing Use

Permission to publish, reproduce, distribute, or use in any current or future manifestations must be obtained in writing from the Rochester Public Library Local History and Genealogy Division.

Administrative History

The magic lantern was a common device for both entertainment and educational use from the 17th century until well into the 20th. A fundamentally simple device, the magic lantern passed light from a flame through a glass slide and lenses in order to project images on a wall. While the first magic lantern show in America probably took place in 1743, 19th century improvements made the lanterns ubiquitous in American culture. Powerful limelights enabled professional showmen to fill theaters with projections, while simple, safe kerosene lights allowed even children to safely and effectively use them at home and in school. The images in this collection, based on the dates on certain maps, date from the latter days of the popularity of the magic lantern. While we are unsure of their specific origin, they likely would have been used in schools, the library or other educational settings as part of a lecture.

Extent

.32 Cubic Feet (Two slide boxes, each 11 x 5.5 x 4.5 inches.)

.32 Cubic Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

This collection consists of two sets of lantern slides of images of early maps of the Rochester area. A few slides show political cartoons and photographs of early Rochester. The origin of this collection and the date of its creation is unknown, but some of the maps and images contained therein may be unique.

Arrangement

This collection consists of 91 lantern slides arranged in two series:

Series I: Maps

Series II: Other Slides

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The source of this collection is unknown. It was found in Document Case 14, Shelf 2. The Manuscripts card catalog lists it as "Slides, Glass", but without information regarding provenance.

Bibliography

Magic Lantern Society. "About Magic Lanterns."Retrieved January 24, 2020, from https://www.magiclanternsociety.org/about-magic-lanterns/.

Condition Description

Very good condition, no cracked or separated slides. Some show signs of potential fading, though this may be an artifact of poor printing in their original production.

Processing Information

All of the materials in this collection were originally housed in a single box. As processing preoceeded, it became evident that a small group of distinct, separately numbered slides (Series II) had been intermingled with the rest of the collection. The decision to process them as two distinct series reflects this separation within the original box.