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Marcy's Sciopticon Manual

Marcy’s Sciopticon Manual deals with the Magic Lantern. The Preface states: “Visible illustrations are so highly esteemed among educationalists of the present day, that the announcement that a greatly improved form of Magic Lantern has made its appearance is very favourably received. Between a desire for such an instrument and the lack of definite information concerning it, many very naturally manifest both their interest and their caution by searching letters of inquiry. The inventor has endeavored, in hasty epistles, to state all the possibilities and impossibilities of the Sciopticon, and of lights, lenses, lantern slides, and tanks; but he finds it increasingly difficult to give each correspondent, individually, a full philosophical exposition. For such therefore as desire a more detailed account than can be given in a hasty letter or than is contained in the circular, which it is always a pleasure to forward on application, a Sciopticon Manual has been prepared, to serves as a guide-book to the various interesting portions of the Magic Lantern field in general, as well as to the Sciopticon in particular.” * * Preface To Fifth Edition page mention is made: “The Sciopticon with its oil lamp, rather than with its lime light, continues to be the choice of many, because its use is convenient and inexpensive . . . “ * *Preface To Sixth Edition page  mention is made, “ Marcy’s Sciopticon is now no new thing. It has taken its places as a standard projecting lantern and is accepted as a great advance in this direction. . . It will be seen that the Triple Jet, the Gas Sciopticon, the Gas Microscope, etc. have been improved since the illustrations prepared for the Fifth Edition were drawn. The Automatic Cut-of is yet new to many, who will stand in need of a fuller explanation in print. The description and illustrations of the Franklin Institute Gas Holders will interest Managers of Educational Institutions. It is believed that all who are alive to the advantages of photographic projections will find the Sciopticon Manual a valuable Hand-book.” * * * It appears the title page is missing thus no publication date can be found for this dark green hard covered book with the gold lettering. Book size is 4 ½ x 7 ½ . The first 200 pages deal with the Sciopticon Manual. The next section seems to be an INTRODUCTION TO THE SCIOPTICON CATALOGUE with a Price List of Sciopticon Apparatus and a Price List of Colored Magic Lantern Slides. I suspect a few pages have been carefully removed as after page 200, it jumps to iii (Introduction To The Sciopticon Catalogue). Condition of book is fair to good. Cover is tight and pages are tight. Cover shows shelf and handling wear and corners are worn, stain on cover. I know nothing on the topic but I would assume the book was compiled in the last part of the 1800s. * * MARCY’S SCIOPTICON MANUAL has illustrations for: The Drummond Light, The Mixed Jet, A Copper hydrogen generator, Edgerton’s Self-Condensing Gas Cylinder and several others. Marcy's Sciopticon Manual. Includes the price list of the colored magic slides.

Book # 1005   Marcy’s Sciopticon Manual $249.00 Canadian Currency plus $10.00 shipping within North America

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