Anonymous

Engraving

Germany

1784

7 1/8" x 4 1/2"

Frontispiece from: Magie, oder die Zauberkrafte der Natur(B243) by Johann Samuel Halle, Berlin.

0300

Anonymous

Engraving

Germany

1790

6 1/2" x 4"

Three illustrations from Karl von Eckartshausen's book: Aufschlüsse zur Magie aus geprüften Erfahrungen über verborgene philosophische Wissenschaften und seltne Geheimnisse der Natur (B545),/b>. The first two images illustrate ghost projections and the third illustrates how a magic lantern and mirror are used to create the ghost projection.

Anonymous

Engraving

France

c. 1799

8" x 5" (plate mark)

This striking small broadside advertises Étienne-Gaspard Robertson’s Fantasmagorie show held in the Convent des Capucines.

4137

Anonymous

Engraving

France

1801

6 1/2" x 7"

A page from Les Etrennes de L'Institut National Et Des Lycess(B310).

1408

James Gillray

Engraving

Great Britain

1803

9" x 7"(left)/ 14" x 9 1/2"(right)

Inspired by Philipsthal's phantasmagoria shows satirizing of  the Peace of Amiens  between England and France as sacrificing British interests. Based on Macbeth's cauldron scene: Lord Addington, Hawkesbury and Fox are depicted as witches boiling down Britannia. The body of corpse of the British Lion  disappears into the pot and a skeleton emerges.  Lord Wilberforce is depicted kneeling in front of the pot.

0301/1298 

Wood engraving

Ireland

1803

23" x 9 5/8"

Printed by Burnside, Dublin.

A broadside advertising the show of Mons. St. Clair who is documented to have given a show  at The Royalty Theatre in London in 1801.

1519

Letterpress

Boston, America

Mon., July 25, 1804

1 1/2" x 2 3/4"

An ad for William Bate's Phantasmagoria show to be held at the Columbian Museum. Bates, a comic performer, was the first to introduce the Phantasmagoria to Boston with his show in June of 1804. This ad from Boston Gazette announced a new performance.

3399

Anonymous

Engraving

France

1811

3 1/2" x 5 1/2"

Frontispiece from second book of <i:Les Savants de Quinze And</i>.(B485).

2988

Le Roy

Wood engraving

France

1817

17 1/2" x 13"

0302

Anonymous

Wood engraving

Great Britain

1825

Image: 3" x 4, page:8 1/4" x 5"

An eye witness account of Philipsthal's phantasmagoria show with the projection of the Red Woman which threw the audience into hysteria. The wood engraving is a fanciful depiction of the projection. Notice the magic lantern behind the cape. The cover image from the magazine The Portfolio February 19,1825.

4178

Letterpress

Great Britain

1828

17 1/2" x 5 1/2"

2788

Philipsthal's phantasmagoria exhibition shown at the Theatre-Royal in York during December 1828.

Lejeune, after Etienne Gaspard Robertson(1763-1831)

Engraving

France

1831

4 3/8" x 7 1/2"

An illustration of a phantasmagoria projection. The frontispiece from  Etienne Gaspard Robertson's Memoires recreatifs, scientifiques et anecdotiques. Published in Paris(B108).

0303

Wood engraving

Germany

c. 1825

17 1/2"" x 14 1/2"

A broadside advertising the phantasmagorie show of Herr Grunert. Part of the text reads:

"The apparitions of persons appear freely in the air, develop into various forms and dimensions, will approach every spectator in the most deceptive way, and then vanish into their former void. Among the both living and dead great leaders, emperors, kings, princes, etc. who appear will be seen Alexander I, reigning emperor of Russia, and Catharine II, former autocrat of all the Russias; also Frederick the Great, former king of Prussia, will be shown; moreover: the famous Professor Gellert and Heloise at the grave of her beloved Abelard. To make these optical enchantments all the more surprising they will be produced to the sound of artificially rolling thunder and lightning."

4375

Wood engraving

Germany

1833

17" x 14"

A broadside advertising the phantasmagorie show of the magician Weiss from Paris.

2627

Wood engraving

Russia

1833

16 1/2" x 10"

A programme for a Moscow Phantasmagoria Show given by Henrich Michaud described as a hydrologist, physicist, mechanic,and optician. The broadside declares the show will start and: "When the lights are extinguished, amidst lightning flashes, thunder claps, rain and storm there will appear various phantoms and revenants as well as various figures in the distance who will draw near and then vanish'"

Viewers then will be entertained by a variety of views including: The Magic rose, Pegasus flying to a cloud, The Sorceress, The American maiden, and Cupid in the rose bushes. This is followed by "New experiments with the phantoscope for the presentation of living persons" and the show concludes Hydraulic experiments.

1354

Wood engraving

Russia

1834

16 1/2" x 10 1/4"

The show is Moscow included moving and dissolving views, shadows, optical illusions and the metamorphoses of ghosts. Also there were hydraulic and mechanical automata, pyrotechnics, and exhibitions of specialty glass.

4482

H. Valentin

Wood engraving

France

1848

Page:11 1/2" x 15"

A double page from Magasin Pittoresque, Paris with a couple of phantasmagoria images.

0304

Wood engraving

America

1877

29" x 10 1/4"

Reynolds employed lots of effects in his shows including the use of a Phantasmagoria lantern. The broadside refers to the effects of its use claiming "Startling is his Sorcery of calling forth from any desirable source, true flesh and blood, covered with nature’s raiment, BREATHING, MOVING and LIVING Creatures as perfect and natural as made by the hand of nature."

4480