Today would have been my Father's 74th birthday. It, therefore, seems an extremely appropriate date to tell you about his exhibit — currently showing — at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. It's called Phantasmagoria and features just a few items from his massive collection.
My Dad was an avid collector of magic lanterns and optical toys. Magic lanterns are early projection devices. In this photo of me and my Dad you can see that he's holding a magic lantern:
In essentials, you would place a light (usually a candle) inside the box part (that's why it has a door) and then you would slide a painted glass slide into the slot near the lens (the round metal cylinder), and an image would appear on the wall or a screen. People often refer to magic lanterns as "pre-cinema" devices because it makes it easy to understand what they do.
Three side notes:
- There's a very nice article, from the New Yorker, by magician Ricky Jay about my Dad and his collecting habit.
- You can see some of my Father's collection on his website: dickbalzer.com
- I included some video from the opening of the exhibit, including a nice speech by my Brother, in my vlog.
Finally, Matthew (my Brother) made a film for the exhibit, which you can watch below:
from Matthew Balzer on Vimeo.
[As a side note, Matthew is currently filming his first feature length film and you can follow the adventure on TheCatch.film instagram.]
If you're anywhere near Boston, I hope you'll stop in and see the exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts.
Thanks for letting me share!
I discovered magic lanterns at a craft show many years ago. The artist created large recreations of the strips and framed them. I purchased a series of Mad Ludwig’s castles for my parents after a trip to Germany. Thanks to your father and your family for sharing this lost treasure.
I discovered magic lanterns at a craft show many years ago. The artist created large recreations of the strips and framed them. I purchased a series of Mad Ludwig’s castles for my parents after a trip to Germany. Thanks to your father and your family for sharing this lost treasure.
I discovered magic lanterns at a craft show many years ago. The artist created large recreations of the strips and framed them. I purchased a series of Mad Ludwig’s castles for my parents after a trip to Germany. Thanks to your father and your family for sharing this lost treasure.
I discovered magic lanterns at a craft show many years ago. The artist created large recreations of the strips and framed them. I purchased a series of Mad Ludwig’s castles for my parents after a trip to Germany. Thanks to your father and your family for sharing this lost treasure.
I discovered magic lanterns at a craft show many years ago. The artist created large recreations of the strips and framed them. I purchased a series of Mad Ludwig’s castles for my parents after a trip to Germany. Thanks to your father and your family for sharing this lost treasure.
I discovered magic lanterns at a craft show many years ago. The artist created large recreations of the strips and framed them. I purchased a series of Mad Ludwig’s castles for my parents after a trip to Germany. Thanks to your father and your family for sharing this lost treasure.
I discovered magic lanterns at a craft show many years ago. The artist created large recreations of the strips and framed them. I purchased a series of Mad Ludwig’s castles for my parents after a trip to Germany. Thanks to your father and your family for sharing this lost treasure.
What an awesome piece of history. Thanks to your father for collecting and preserving these. I hope to get to the MFA to see them in person.
I’d never heard of them until you started talking about them in posts. Thank you again.
What an awesome piece of history. Thanks to your father for collecting and preserving these. I hope to get to the MFA to see them in person.
I’d never heard of them until you started talking about them in posts. Thank you again.
What an awesome piece of history. Thanks to your father for collecting and preserving these. I hope to get to the MFA to see them in person.
I’d never heard of them until you started talking about them in posts. Thank you again.
What an awesome piece of history. Thanks to your father for collecting and preserving these. I hope to get to the MFA to see them in person.
I’d never heard of them until you started talking about them in posts. Thank you again.
What an awesome piece of history. Thanks to your father for collecting and preserving these. I hope to get to the MFA to see them in person.
I’d never heard of them until you started talking about them in posts. Thank you again.
What an awesome piece of history. Thanks to your father for collecting and preserving these. I hope to get to the MFA to see them in person.
I’d never heard of them until you started talking about them in posts. Thank you again.
What an awesome piece of history. Thanks to your father for collecting and preserving these. I hope to get to the MFA to see them in person.
I’d never heard of them until you started talking about them in posts. Thank you again.
Wonderful video Julie. What an amazing legacies your father has left. You are one of a very talented family collective.
Sorry, won’t be able to make it to Boston.
Cheers from Heken in NZ, waiting for winter but enjoying summer we Indian summer days.
Wonderful video Julie. What an amazing legacies your father has left. You are one of a very talented family collective.
Sorry, won’t be able to make it to Boston.
Cheers from Heken in NZ, waiting for winter but enjoying summer we Indian summer days.
Wonderful video Julie. What an amazing legacies your father has left. You are one of a very talented family collective.
Sorry, won’t be able to make it to Boston.
Cheers from Heken in NZ, waiting for winter but enjoying summer we Indian summer days.
Wonderful video Julie. What an amazing legacies your father has left. You are one of a very talented family collective.
Sorry, won’t be able to make it to Boston.
Cheers from Heken in NZ, waiting for winter but enjoying summer we Indian summer days.
Wonderful video Julie. What an amazing legacies your father has left. You are one of a very talented family collective.
Sorry, won’t be able to make it to Boston.
Cheers from Heken in NZ, waiting for winter but enjoying summer we Indian summer days.
Wonderful video Julie. What an amazing legacies your father has left. You are one of a very talented family collective.
Sorry, won’t be able to make it to Boston.
Cheers from Heken in NZ, waiting for winter but enjoying summer we Indian summer days.
Wonderful video Julie. What an amazing legacies your father has left. You are one of a very talented family collective.
Sorry, won’t be able to make it to Boston.
Cheers from Heken in NZ, waiting for winter but enjoying summer we Indian summer days.
The video was fantastic! What a tribute….not gonna lie I teared up. Thank you again for sharing.
The video was fantastic! What a tribute….not gonna lie I teared up. Thank you again for sharing.
The video was fantastic! What a tribute….not gonna lie I teared up. Thank you again for sharing.
The video was fantastic! What a tribute….not gonna lie I teared up. Thank you again for sharing.
The video was fantastic! What a tribute….not gonna lie I teared up. Thank you again for sharing.
The video was fantastic! What a tribute….not gonna lie I teared up. Thank you again for sharing.
The video was fantastic! What a tribute….not gonna lie I teared up. Thank you again for sharing.
Thanks for sharing your brother’s work and article. What a gifted family you are. I can see why your father was captivated by the magic lanterns. They truly are magical! Thanks so much for this.
Thanks for sharing your brother’s work and article. What a gifted family you are. I can see why your father was captivated by the magic lanterns. They truly are magical! Thanks so much for this.
Thanks for sharing your brother’s work and article. What a gifted family you are. I can see why your father was captivated by the magic lanterns. They truly are magical! Thanks so much for this.
Thanks for sharing your brother’s work and article. What a gifted family you are. I can see why your father was captivated by the magic lanterns. They truly are magical! Thanks so much for this.
Thanks for sharing your brother’s work and article. What a gifted family you are. I can see why your father was captivated by the magic lanterns. They truly are magical! Thanks so much for this.
Thanks for sharing your brother’s work and article. What a gifted family you are. I can see why your father was captivated by the magic lanterns. They truly are magical! Thanks so much for this.
Thanks for sharing your brother’s work and article. What a gifted family you are. I can see why your father was captivated by the magic lanterns. They truly are magical! Thanks so much for this.
Hi Julie, thank you for sharing about your father. I enjoyed the video and seeing those magic lanterns. I just love the graphics around that time frame, always have. I’m sure your father was very proud of you. Wish I could attend the exhibit in Boston. What happens to his collection afterwards? Just curious.
Hi Julie, thank you for sharing about your father. I enjoyed the video and seeing those magic lanterns. I just love the graphics around that time frame, always have. I’m sure your father was very proud of you. Wish I could attend the exhibit in Boston. What happens to his collection afterwards? Just curious.
Hi Julie, thank you for sharing about your father. I enjoyed the video and seeing those magic lanterns. I just love the graphics around that time frame, always have. I’m sure your father was very proud of you. Wish I could attend the exhibit in Boston. What happens to his collection afterwards? Just curious.
Hi Julie, thank you for sharing about your father. I enjoyed the video and seeing those magic lanterns. I just love the graphics around that time frame, always have. I’m sure your father was very proud of you. Wish I could attend the exhibit in Boston. What happens to his collection afterwards? Just curious.
Hi Julie, thank you for sharing about your father. I enjoyed the video and seeing those magic lanterns. I just love the graphics around that time frame, always have. I’m sure your father was very proud of you. Wish I could attend the exhibit in Boston. What happens to his collection afterwards? Just curious.
Hi Julie, thank you for sharing about your father. I enjoyed the video and seeing those magic lanterns. I just love the graphics around that time frame, always have. I’m sure your father was very proud of you. Wish I could attend the exhibit in Boston. What happens to his collection afterwards? Just curious.
Hi Julie, thank you for sharing about your father. I enjoyed the video and seeing those magic lanterns. I just love the graphics around that time frame, always have. I’m sure your father was very proud of you. Wish I could attend the exhibit in Boston. What happens to his collection afterwards? Just curious.
So glad I watched the video. Thank you!
So glad I watched the video. Thank you!
So glad I watched the video. Thank you!
So glad I watched the video. Thank you!
So glad I watched the video. Thank you!
So glad I watched the video. Thank you!
So glad I watched the video. Thank you!
Wow! Your Dad’s collection is amazing. You are so blest to come from such a creative family and you shine as a result. Thank you for sharing this wonderful film.
Wow! Your Dad’s collection is amazing. You are so blest to come from such a creative family and you shine as a result. Thank you for sharing this wonderful film.
Wow! Your Dad’s collection is amazing. You are so blest to come from such a creative family and you shine as a result. Thank you for sharing this wonderful film.
Wow! Your Dad’s collection is amazing. You are so blest to come from such a creative family and you shine as a result. Thank you for sharing this wonderful film.
Wow! Your Dad’s collection is amazing. You are so blest to come from such a creative family and you shine as a result. Thank you for sharing this wonderful film.
Wow! Your Dad’s collection is amazing. You are so blest to come from such a creative family and you shine as a result. Thank you for sharing this wonderful film.
Wow! Your Dad’s collection is amazing. You are so blest to come from such a creative family and you shine as a result. Thank you for sharing this wonderful film.
Hello Julie,
What a wonderful tribute to your Father. What talent all the way around♥.
I find it very interesting and nice to take a trip back in time. How very nice indeed.
Fawna
Hello Julie,
What a wonderful tribute to your Father. What talent all the way around♥.
I find it very interesting and nice to take a trip back in time. How very nice indeed.
Fawna
Hello Julie,
What a wonderful tribute to your Father. What talent all the way around♥.
I find it very interesting and nice to take a trip back in time. How very nice indeed.
Fawna
Hello Julie,
What a wonderful tribute to your Father. What talent all the way around♥.
I find it very interesting and nice to take a trip back in time. How very nice indeed.
Fawna
Hello Julie,
What a wonderful tribute to your Father. What talent all the way around♥.
I find it very interesting and nice to take a trip back in time. How very nice indeed.
Fawna
Hello Julie,
What a wonderful tribute to your Father. What talent all the way around♥.
I find it very interesting and nice to take a trip back in time. How very nice indeed.
Fawna
Hello Julie,
What a wonderful tribute to your Father. What talent all the way around♥.
I find it very interesting and nice to take a trip back in time. How very nice indeed.
Fawna
Really enjoyed this. I live on the West Coast of Canada, so would be unable to get to Boston. Thank you for showing and your brother for making this film.
Really enjoyed this. I live on the West Coast of Canada, so would be unable to get to Boston. Thank you for showing and your brother for making this film.
Really enjoyed this. I live on the West Coast of Canada, so would be unable to get to Boston. Thank you for showing and your brother for making this film.
Really enjoyed this. I live on the West Coast of Canada, so would be unable to get to Boston. Thank you for showing and your brother for making this film.
Really enjoyed this. I live on the West Coast of Canada, so would be unable to get to Boston. Thank you for showing and your brother for making this film.
Really enjoyed this. I live on the West Coast of Canada, so would be unable to get to Boston. Thank you for showing and your brother for making this film.
Really enjoyed this. I live on the West Coast of Canada, so would be unable to get to Boston. Thank you for showing and your brother for making this film.
Thank you Julie, wonderful video, cute picture from when you were little! I enjoyed getting the history of magic lanterns. Interesting to think what was before (made me think of stereographs)to the magic lanterns to what we have now. Is that exhibit traveling by chance? Please keep us posted on your brother’s movie too. I will check Instagram too.
Thank you Julie, wonderful video, cute picture from when you were little! I enjoyed getting the history of magic lanterns. Interesting to think what was before (made me think of stereographs)to the magic lanterns to what we have now. Is that exhibit traveling by chance? Please keep us posted on your brother’s movie too. I will check Instagram too.
Thank you Julie, wonderful video, cute picture from when you were little! I enjoyed getting the history of magic lanterns. Interesting to think what was before (made me think of stereographs)to the magic lanterns to what we have now. Is that exhibit traveling by chance? Please keep us posted on your brother’s movie too. I will check Instagram too.
Thank you Julie, wonderful video, cute picture from when you were little! I enjoyed getting the history of magic lanterns. Interesting to think what was before (made me think of stereographs)to the magic lanterns to what we have now. Is that exhibit traveling by chance? Please keep us posted on your brother’s movie too. I will check Instagram too.
Thank you Julie, wonderful video, cute picture from when you were little! I enjoyed getting the history of magic lanterns. Interesting to think what was before (made me think of stereographs)to the magic lanterns to what we have now. Is that exhibit traveling by chance? Please keep us posted on your brother’s movie too. I will check Instagram too.
Thank you Julie, wonderful video, cute picture from when you were little! I enjoyed getting the history of magic lanterns. Interesting to think what was before (made me think of stereographs)to the magic lanterns to what we have now. Is that exhibit traveling by chance? Please keep us posted on your brother’s movie too. I will check Instagram too.
Thank you Julie, wonderful video, cute picture from when you were little! I enjoyed getting the history of magic lanterns. Interesting to think what was before (made me think of stereographs)to the magic lanterns to what we have now. Is that exhibit traveling by chance? Please keep us posted on your brother’s movie too. I will check Instagram too.
Thank you for sharing with us – I thought that the film was wonderful.
Thank you for sharing with us – I thought that the film was wonderful.
Thank you for sharing with us – I thought that the film was wonderful.
Thank you for sharing with us – I thought that the film was wonderful.
Thank you for sharing with us – I thought that the film was wonderful.
Thank you for sharing with us – I thought that the film was wonderful.
Thank you for sharing with us – I thought that the film was wonderful.
I learned something new today. Something to share with my husband the comic collector. Thank you, Julie. This was fascinating.
I learned something new today. Something to share with my husband the comic collector. Thank you, Julie. This was fascinating.
I learned something new today. Something to share with my husband the comic collector. Thank you, Julie. This was fascinating.
I learned something new today. Something to share with my husband the comic collector. Thank you, Julie. This was fascinating.
I learned something new today. Something to share with my husband the comic collector. Thank you, Julie. This was fascinating.
I learned something new today. Something to share with my husband the comic collector. Thank you, Julie. This was fascinating.
I learned something new today. Something to share with my husband the comic collector. Thank you, Julie. This was fascinating.
Oh my goodness me! I did not realise such magic existed. I’m no where near Boston and sadly not planning to be. We need to get this exhibition over to Blighty! These things must have been mesmerising. The little fime, by the way, is just wonderful, and is it perhaps no coincidence that the Balzer genes continue into film making?
Oh my goodness me! I did not realise such magic existed. I’m no where near Boston and sadly not planning to be. We need to get this exhibition over to Blighty! These things must have been mesmerising. The little fime, by the way, is just wonderful, and is it perhaps no coincidence that the Balzer genes continue into film making?
Oh my goodness me! I did not realise such magic existed. I’m no where near Boston and sadly not planning to be. We need to get this exhibition over to Blighty! These things must have been mesmerising. The little fime, by the way, is just wonderful, and is it perhaps no coincidence that the Balzer genes continue into film making?
Oh my goodness me! I did not realise such magic existed. I’m no where near Boston and sadly not planning to be. We need to get this exhibition over to Blighty! These things must have been mesmerising. The little fime, by the way, is just wonderful, and is it perhaps no coincidence that the Balzer genes continue into film making?
Oh my goodness me! I did not realise such magic existed. I’m no where near Boston and sadly not planning to be. We need to get this exhibition over to Blighty! These things must have been mesmerising. The little fime, by the way, is just wonderful, and is it perhaps no coincidence that the Balzer genes continue into film making?
Oh my goodness me! I did not realise such magic existed. I’m no where near Boston and sadly not planning to be. We need to get this exhibition over to Blighty! These things must have been mesmerising. The little fime, by the way, is just wonderful, and is it perhaps no coincidence that the Balzer genes continue into film making?
Oh my goodness me! I did not realise such magic existed. I’m no where near Boston and sadly not planning to be. We need to get this exhibition over to Blighty! These things must have been mesmerising. The little fime, by the way, is just wonderful, and is it perhaps no coincidence that the Balzer genes continue into film making?