Magic Lantern Slide By T. H. McAllister Andersonville Prison
Item #: WR82
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This is a "Magic" Lantern slide depicting a scene of soldiers on bivouac. These lantern slides have been in use since the 17th century. They got their name from the viewing devices used to project the image . The earliest slides were hand painted images on a glass plate and were used to enhance the telling of stories. In 1848 the first photographic slide was produced by the Langenheim brothers of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. These new types of slides were produced by American and British companies. The British made slides measure 3.25" x 3.25", while the American made slides measure 3.25" x 4". The majority of these slides consist of two sheets of glass, one with the image on one side and covered by the second piece of glass. They are usually bound together with black paper tape. Most of these slides were black and white, but some were hand colored. The Americans developed a method for making slides rarely used elsewhere in the world. They created a master drawing, photographed it, then printed slides from the master. This lantern side is of that type, a drawing depicting the infamous Andersonville prison. The captive Union soldiers can be seen in great detail. Their makeshift shelters are also easily recognizable. The high wooden fence can be seen with it's watch towers, each holding a Confederate guard. Outside the camp the effects of cutting timber to build the camp can clearly be seen. Confederate cannon, camps and soldiers can be seen in different areas outside of the walls. In the distance a train can be seen, having already off loaded another group of unfortunate prisoners. The prisoners can be seen marching in formation towards the walled prison. The slide measures 3 1/4" high and 4" wide. The image has great clarity and great detail. The cardboard border is in good condition where it exists. A tag that is partially covered by an old inventory tag is printed "T.H. McALLISTER, Manufacturing Optician" on one edge of the slide in gold lettering. The other side also has a tag in gold lettering that reads "49 NASSAU STREET, NEW YORK." The McAllister's were a leading American family in the field of optical lantern manufacturers in the late 1800's. This is a cool little piece of photographic as well as Civil War history.
Price Was: 35.00 $21.50 USD
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