Biunial Magic Lantern, c. 1880

England, probably Hughes, London. Decorative mahogany housing with brass fittings, height 64 cm, length 48 cm, width 26 cm, for framed lantern pictures with a height of approx. 11.3 cm, two identical brass-bound lenses with Petzval type 4/13 cm drive settings, glasses in good condition and all elements accessible for cleaning, lower front cap replaced and permanently set open, with additional metal plate device that can be shifted up directly on the condenser and enables one or the other lens to be lit depending on the height, with both condensers and two limelight burners, all 4 wooden covers inset with blue glass (one blue glass with cracks), with dark-brown velvet shade curtain on the reverse. – Fully functional device, perfect for any serious collection or exhibition! It was in public use until a few decades ago by Frans Mooij (Dutch for "beautiful"), after his children were old enough to accompany him to his regular and well-attended magic lantern shows in schools and community centers on winter evenings. Frans Mooij was one of the most prolific magic lantern collectors in the Netherlands and died unexpectedly in 2025; his collection is now being auctioned.

布雷克拍品等级是为了方便竞买人判断拍卖品的成色而设置的。布雷克等级用1到6级来标注外观和功能的成色，(从非常好到非常差)。 在目录图册里用括号里的2个数字来表示，前一个数字表示外观成色的级别，后一个数字表示功能成色的级别。如(3/2)表示外观成色是3(满意的)，功能成色2(好)。 成色 定义参照下列标准： 1 - 非常好 (未使用过，没有使用痕迹) 2 - 好 (新，极少的使用痕迹) 3 - 满意的 (普通的使用痕迹) 4 - 及格的 (明显的使用痕迹，某个非主要部件是后配的) 5 - 有缺陷的 (极明显的使用痕迹, 某个主要部件是后配的，功能上有缺陷，需要修理) 6 - 非常差 (严重破损, 缺少重要部件)