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Guide to the Lantern Slide Collection
c. 1860-1942
PR 70
Descriptive Summary
| Title: |
Lantern Slide Collection |
| Dates: |
ca. 1860-1942 |
| Abstract:
|
The collection consists of 4,869 lantern slide photographs, most are 3 1/4 x 4 in.
and were manufactured between 1860 and 1942. Many slides were connected with lecture
presentations about New York and early American life sponsored by the New-York Historical
Society. Some are also original photographs of views of Manhattan neighborhoods such
as the Lower East Side, Greenwich Village, and Harlem as well as the borough of the
Bronx. Images include bridges, rivers, transportation, churches, clubs, commercial
and public buildings, monuments, parks, residences, schools, streets and theaters.
Other interesting parts of the collection include a series on circus advertisements,
several groups of cartoons and caricatures, and World War I American training camp
slides. Some slides are copies of drawings that date back as far as the mid-17th century.
Also in the collection are groups of slides manufactured outside the United States,
including Germany, France, and Italy; most are tourist views. The Songs and Announcements
sections of the collection contains slides used in theaters. The song slides were
used to illustrate accompanying music and cover such genres as religious, popular,
and patriotic music. The announcement slides provided reminders to viewers, such as
removing their hats, or the slides advertised local businesses. Slides from amateur
photographic clubs such as the American Slide Interchange, the Camera Club of New
York, and the Society of Amateur Photographers of New York also account for a large
portion of the collection.
|
| Quantity: |
84.88 Linear feet (4,869 items) |
| Call Phrase: |
PR 70 |
