The item presented here is a slide projector that uses an optical arrangement typical for a laterna magica, in which the light source is a pressure lamp burning benzine or pure alcohol vapours. Inside the wooden box of the projector, which is lined with asbestos plates (for thermal insulation), is a Mita burner manufactured by the Dresden enterprise, established in the second half of the 19th century by Gustav Barthel. The burner consists of a brass reservoir (equipped with pressure gauge) with a logo on its wall (crossed swords with the initials “GB” surrounded by an oval). At the base of the reservoir is a pump, connected with an arrangement of tubes and a condenser. On the opposite side of the reservoir is a burner with a sheet metal hood, covered with a fine mesh. The burner with the reservoir is placed on a stand, and a precision compass allows it to be adjusted vertically and horizontally. This allows precise adjustment of the light source position in relation to the lenses of the optics. Thanks to the (now incomplete) set of lenses the device can project glass transparencies, which are inserted in the metal carrier between the lamp body and the bellows. Ventilation is provided by the upper hole, which was probably covered by a sheet metal chimney. On the side walls are doors with a round inspection glass. The nameplate is attached to the front of the case, above the condenser lens. The projector housing stands on four metal feet, attached to a board.
Projectors were often used in public shows performed at theatres and other public places in the second half of the 19th century. Their purpose was to provide entertainment to adults by impressing them with extraordinary images or photographs of remote places.
The A. Pichlers Witwe & Sohn publishing house of Vienna was established by bookseller Anton Pichler in 1794. After his death in 1823, the management of the company was taken over by his wife – Elisabeth Praller – and later still by their son and then their grandson – both named Franz Pichler. The business scope of the enterprise was extended in 1884: several bookshop branches were opened and an Education Institute (Lehrmittel-Anstalt) was established, which dealt with making teaching aids. The company offered specialist educational literature (including several series of periodicals on pedagogy and upbringing), school textbooks, and youth literature. It also sold a range of teaching aids including school equipment necessary for teaching chemistry and physics (optical instruments, models for demonstrating physical phenomena), natural history (cases with minerals) or biology (anatomical models, zoology tables). They were aids for all levels of education, from primary schools all the way up to universities.

Author: Filip Wróblewski