Analysis---Lantern-Slides---Yosemite

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Lantern Slides, also called Magic Lantern Slides, have been in use longer than most people realize. The original "Laterna Magica"dates from the 17th century, and is an early type of image projector. Light is used to project the image onto a screen. With the advent of photography, the applications for this technology increased dramatically, resulting in slides used for lectures in science, travel, and a myriad of other purposes. Black and white photography quickly resulted in the use of 'tinted' slides. Tinted slides reproduced natural color, as seen in these examples.

Lantern Slides - Yosemite

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Hand-colored b&w glass plate “magic lantern slides” of Yosemite – A.C. Pillsbury, photographer

Establishing A.C. Pillsbury as the photographer of various hand-colored lantern slides (from the “Mildred Clemens Collection”) by comparison to Pillsbury photographic illustrations [especially Pillsbury photographs found in the book “YOSEMITE AND IT’S HIGH SIERRA” by John Williams (1914/1921 editions)]:

1: “OVERHANGING ROCK – WINTER”

“OVERHANGING ROCK - WINTER”: front and back of lantern slide

Pillsbury photo credit for lantern slide “OVERHANGING ROCK - WINTER” verified:

(left) Pillsbury postcard – 1914 & (right) from “Yosemite and Its High Sierra” by John Williams, p.57 (1914); p114 (1921)

[Exact matches to “OVERHANGING ROCK - WINTER” lantern slide]

2: “TREE ON SENTINEL DOME, YOSEMITE”

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Pillsbury photo credit for lantern slide “TREE ON SENTINEL DOME, YOSEMITE” verified:

“Jeffrey Pine on Sentinel Dome”: from “Yosemite and Its High Sierra” - p.91 (1914); p.105 (1921)

[Exact match to 3: “TREE ON SENTINEL DOME, YOSEMITE” lantern slide]

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3: “ALPINE FLAX”

“ALPINE FLAX”: front and back of lantern slide

Pillsbury photo credit for lantern slide “ALPINE FLAX” verified:

“Phlox on the Glacier Point Trail”: from “Yosemite and Its High Sierra” - p.87 (1914)

[Exact match to 3: “ALPINE FLAX” lantern slide]

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4: “BEARS”

“BEARS”: front and back of lantern slide

Pillsbury photo credit for lantern slide “BEARS” verified:

(Above left): “Bear and Cubs, in Illilouette Canon”: from “Yosemite and Its High Sierra” - p.188 (1921) [exact match to 4: “BEARS” lantern slide]

(Above right): “BROWN BEAR IN YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK”: Pillsbury Postcard - [exact match to 4: “BEARS” lantern slide]

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5: “WATER WHEEL FALLS, TUOLUMNE CANYON”

“WATER WHEEL FALLS...”: front and back of lantern slide

Pillsbury photo credit for lantern slide “WATER WHEEL FALLS, TUOLUMNE CANYON” verified:

“California Falls and Upper Waterwheels”: from “Yosemite and Its High Sierra” - p.145 (1921)

[Exact match to 5: “WATER WHEEL FALLS, TUOLUMNE CANYON” lantern slide]

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6: “DIAMOND CASCADES ABOVE VERNAL FALLS”

“DIAMOND CASCADES ABOVE VERNAL FALLS”: front and back of lantern slide

Pillsbury photo credit for lantern slide “DIAMOND CASCADES ABOVE VERNAL FALLS” verified:

“Cataract of Diamonds”: from “Yosemite and Its High Sierra” - p.83 (1914); p.95 (1921)

[Near-exact match to “DIAMOND CASCADES...” (same time frame/slightly different angle)]

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7: “Nevada Falls, Yosemite”

“Nevada Falls, Yosemite”: front and back of lantern slide

(note the written title and number 4113 and the printed label: H.C. TIBBITTS, Photo, SAN FRANCISCO,CAL)**

** I believe the printed H.C. TIBBITTS, Photo label refers to the lantern slide maker/colorist - similar to KODAK being the maker of KODACHROME slides and NOT the actual photographer ... (more on this later).

Pillsbury photo credit for lantern slide “Nevada Falls, Yosemite” verified: