History

The Society began as a dream by a group of lantern enthusiasts in the State of Washington. Co-founders Joe and Alice Koch first became interested in lanterns after seeing a lantern show at the State Museum in Tacoma, Washington, in 1968, presented by Bob Bishop, a.k.a. "The Old Projectionist".

Always interested in history, Joe and Alice made their first lantern purchase in 1970. In 1972 Joe first discussed with Bob Bishop the idea of a national society. During a visit to London in the fall of 1977, Joe and Alice received a tip that led them to attend a meeting of The Magic Lantern Society (of Great Britain) during their trip. Joe and Alice returned to the Colonies determined to start an U.S. Society. They sent out mailings to persons listed in the Nation Directory of Camera Collectors that they thought might have an interest in magic lanterns.

After receiving three initial responses, the group quickly grew to thirty members in the first year, with Joe as chairman and Alice as secretary/treasurer. During this time Bob Bishop, prepared a mailing outlining the purposes of Society which are now part of the Society's Constitution.

The publication of the ML Bulletin, later changed to the Magic Lantern Bulletin, began in April 1979, with Leora Wood Wells as editor. In 1989 the name was revised to the Magic Lantern Gazette. The publication continues thanks to the dedicated volunteer efforts of many members throughout the years who contributed articles, edited, proofread, printed, and mailed the publications.

The logo of the Society was designed by Larry Cederblom for 1989 convention, and features an American lantern, the L.J. Marcy Sciopticon.

As an international Society in countries as large and diverse as the United States and Canada, the Society has relied heavily on the mail to converse and communicate with its members. Personal correspondence between members has always been a strong tradition within the society. More recently, communication via the Internet and e-mail has greatly facilitated the exchange of knowledge between members. In 1998 Jack Judson set up the Society website by registering the URL magiclanternsociety.org. The 2000 convention was noted as the first MLS convention planned entirely by e-mail.

The first convention was held in 1981, with 19 members and a total of 41 attendees. A tradition of bi-annual conventions has developed, and are fun-filled occasions to meet members in person and share their interest in lanterns.

Bibliography:

Koch, Joe, "How the Magic Lantern Society of the U.S. and Canada Came to Be", The Magic Lantern Gazette, Vol. 9, Number 4, Winter, 1997.

"The Magic Lantern Society of the United States and Canada",The Ten Year Book, The Magic Lantern Society, Mike Smith, editor, 1986.

"Magic Lantern Society of the United States and Canada", two page handout, The Magic Lantern Society of the United States and Canada, author unknown, date unknown.

The M.L Bulletin, The Magic Lantern Society of the United States and Canada, Vol. IV, January 1983 - December 1983.

The Magic Lantern Bulletin, The Magic Lantern Society of the United States and Canada, Vol. V, March 1984 - Vol. 19, May 1989.

The Magic Lantern Gazette, The Magic Lantern Society of the United States and Canada, Vol. I, Fall, 1989 - Vol. 12, Fall 2000.