Carpenter & Westley Preparations
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Rare Insect Preparations by Carpenter & Westley:
English ca. 1850's . Rare insect preparations by Carpenter & Westley. Stamped on the slides: Carpenter & Westley, 24 Regent Street, London. This was the firm of Carpenter & Westley who occupied the premises of 24 Regent Street, London from 1838-1914 (1). They produced large format insect preparations, just like microscope slides, mounted in Canada balsam. These preparations were intended for use in "Magic Lanterns," and projection microscopes, and in particular, Philip Carpenter's Phantasmagoria Lantern, which he invented in 1821. "Phantasmagoria" is a type of fright or horror theater commonly using changing successions or combinations of fantastic, bizarre or imagined imagery which was popular during the 19th century (2). One or more magic lanterns were used to project frightening images such as skeletons, demons, etc. onto walls, smoke, or semi-transparent screens, typically using rear projection to keep the lantern out of sight. Mobile or portable projectors were used, allowing the projected image to move and change size on the screen, and multiple projecting devices allowed for quick switching of different images. In many shows the use of spooky decoration, total darkness, suggestive verbal presentation, and sound effects were also key elements. Some shows added a variety of sensory stimulation, including smells and electric shocks.
Carpenter & Westley produced many types of Magic Lantern slides, including astronomical, chromotropic, and mechanical. By far the most awe inspiring is the firm's subset of natural history specimens, with a special emphasis on insect mounts. Aside from their originally intended use, they are absolutely beautiful and captivating displays in their own right. Mounts such as these must have certainly accentuated scientific study by offering a permanent and preserved record of the genera for identification purposes, inspection, and eventual cataloging. The insects, as well as other specimens, were all mounted with Canada balsam in 3 inch circular glass slides, and positioned in mahogany frames of 4 X 7 in.
One cannot conclude a critique of these objects without a comparison to early microscopical slide mounts. The level of mounting skill in these preparations is not only noteworthy, it is in fact, exceptional, and rivels or exceeds any of the usual 19th century microscope slide preparers (3). Anyone who has been inspired to reproduce microscope slides of insects in the early 19th century manner, can surely appreciate the skill set and patience necessary to produce these in large format.
Historical:
Philip Carpenter (1776-1833) was the actual founder of the firm. He opened his shop on Regent Street, London in 1826 under the name "The Microcosm." Carpenter produced microscopes, lenses, specticals, kaleidoscopes, and an assortment of optical equipment. After his death in 1833, the firm was run by his sister Mary for a short time. In 1837 she formed a partnership with William Westley, who had worked for her brother, and the firm then did business under the name Carpenter & Westley. They exhibited at the Great Exibition of 1851.
For a more detailed and comprehensive discription of Philip Carpenter and the firm of Carpenter & Westley, including trade cards and advertisements, please note reference 4 below. To see the article click here.
Condition:
The condition is very fine to excellent.
Provenance:
Howard Lynk Collection.
Bibliography:
1. Clifton, Gloria (1995) Directory of British Scientific Instrument Makers 1550-1851, ISBN [0-302-006346]; p. 49.
2. [www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phantasmagoria]
3. Bracegirdle, Brian (1998) Microscopical Mounts and Mounters; Seacourt Press Ltd; ISBN [0-9514441-3-1]; See p. 20 for the citation of
Carpenter & Westley.
4. Talbot, Stuart (2006) Bull. Sci. Inst. Soc. No. 88, p. 17-20.
5. Online databases:
a.) [www.victorianmicroscopeslides.com]
b.) [www.microscopist.net]
6. Carpenter & Westley's trade cards are reproduced here by permission from the Science Museum and the British Museum.
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