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Antique Hand-Colored Glass Magic Lantern Slide – Edwardian Garden Scene – T.H. McAllister, New York, c.1900Description
Offered is an original hand-colored glass magic lantern slide dating from approximately 1895–1910, produced by T. H. McAllister Manufacturing Optician, 49 Nassau Street, New York, one of America's foremost manufacturers of optical and projection equipment during the late Victorian and Edwardian periods.
This charming slide depicts an elegant outdoor leisure scene beneath large shade trees. A gentleman in a fashionable suit and straw boater relaxes on the grass while two ladies dressed in graceful Edwardian gowns and wide-brimmed hats converse nearby. A decorative picnic basket or travel bag rests at their feet, completing this peaceful turn-of-the-century garden setting.
The image has been carefully hand-colored, giving the projected scene a warm, lifelike appearance. Hand-colored lantern slides were widely used for home entertainment, educational lectures, and public presentations before motion pictures became common.
The slide retains its original black paper binding and identification strip.
Manufacturer
T. H. McAllister Manufacturing Optician
49 Nassau Street
New York
Approximate Date
Circa 1895–1910
Size
Approximately 3¼ × 4 inches (standard magic lantern slide format).
Condition
Good antique condition with expected wear from age and handling. The glass is intact. Minor edge wear, small marks, and light surface imperfections are consistent with over 100 years of age. Please review all photographs carefully, as they form part of the description.
Note: The listing includes two images of the same slide. The first photograph shows the slide as it appears today. The second image is a digitally enhanced visualization created solely to reveal the original scene more clearly. It is provided for reference only and is not a restoration or alteration of the original slide.
Keywords
Antique magic lantern slide, hand-colored glass slide, T.H. McAllister, Edwardian photography, Victorian optical media, early color photography, garden scene, picnic, fashion history, projection slide, New York optical antique, collectible photography.