THE HILLMAN WINTER SOLSTICE CELEBRATION SERIES
Presents
A VICTORIAN MAGIC CHRISTMAS
A Collation of Magic Lantern Christmas Slides from the Victorian Era
Part of our Century Project Series
Magic Lanterns
Projectors & Slide Shows
Ref: Luikerwaal ~ Netherlands
SANTA CLAUS VISITS ON CHRISTMAS EVE
A series of 12 original magic lantern slides from the turn of the century.
1. An old fashioned Christmas Eve. The snow has been falling, and everything was covered with a beautiful white mantle. It is night time -- the moon is shining brightly. The windows of the houses are bright with the glare from the log-wood fires, and outside one of the largest houses in the village stand some well wrapped up figures singing, "God bless ye, merrie gentlemen, let nothing you dismay." 
2. Out of the forest comes an old gentleman in a massive dark red coat, with a long white beard, a large sack over his shoulder, and a big cap over his head. Whatever can he be doing this time of the night, and won't he catch cold in his old limbs? Not he!  It is old Santa Claus, the friend of boys and girls everywhere. This is his special night of all the year, and he is going to try to make a happy Christmas for all the youngsters, far and near. Just watch him and see.






CHRISTMAS IN SILHOUETTE
This is a set of four silhouette slides made by the Victor Animatograph Co., depicting scenes of the Nativity.
The slides can be viewed by projecting, holding to the light, placing them on a light box, or against a white background.
Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol


The pictures in these 19th century lantern slides resemble the etchings of John Leech,
who illustrated the original edition from 1843.
Ebenezer Scrooge, a penny-pinching miser, cares nothing for the people around him
-- only for the money that can be made through exploitation and intimidation.
He particularly detests Christmas, which he views as
"a time for finding yourself a year older, and not an hour richer."
Scrooge is visited, on Christmas Eve, by the ghost of his former partner
Jacob Marley, who died seven Christmas Eves ago.

CHRISTMAS EVENING: TWO SCENES
The harrowing difference between the lives of the rich and the poor.


The Happy Home

Homeless

SANTA CLAUS - 1900

WINTER SCENE ~ 1900


 A Moving Picture of Santa Claus ~ 1916
"'An endless reel of Christmas cheer, With love and kisses for you, my dear."
When the cardboard disc is turned to the left a Christmas Story appears on the screen:
"Now he's going to leave my dear, but if you're good he'll come next year."

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