Group of Magic Lantern Lime Light Apparatus, 20th Century,
An ether-oxygen limelight device mounted on a wooden base with a large cylindrical brass reservoir, likely for ether or alcohol (also known as an Ether Saturator, Magic Lantern Illuminant). The burner includes an adjustable arm designed to hold a small cylinder of calcium oxide (lime). When an oxy-ether or oxy-alcohol flame heated the lime to incandescence, it produced an intensely bright white light, used for magic lantern projections, stage lighting, and scientific demonstrations mounted on a hardwood base; a brass laboratory blowpipe apparatus, featuring a main brass blowpipe with a burner tip, a central black ebonite or wooden mounting block, and multiple adjustment points; a wooden organizer containing magnesium oxide (MgO) 'lime' blocks (cupels) and associated metal holders, used in fire assaying for refining precious metals and for use with magic lanterns. With a paper by John Davidson about their use with magic lanterns. Blowpipe has wax securing the hydrogen and oxygen valves. Untested. Wear and grime commensurate with use.