Similar in both function and appearance to a magic lantern, this horizontal enlarger by William Hume of Edinburgh would originally have been used in the darkroom for projecting quarter plate glass slides onto photographic paper. This particular example is believed to be Hume's 'Cantilever' Enlarger, dating to around 1890. The second (web-sourced) image is a trade advertisement from the November 1890 edition of the "Transactions of the Edinburgh Photographic Society". Hume had premises at 1 Lothian Street, Edinburgh, from which he made and sold a variety of scientific and optical equipment.

His ‘Cantilever’ enlarging apparatus was launched in 1888, with a number of different versions being made over a period of around ten years, later incarnations being made without the bellows. This particular example bears a makers plate to the top marked Wm Hume, Maker, Edinburgh". It is of mahogany construction with a tinplate lamp house and chimney, bellows extension to the front and a superb brass Petzval lens with rack and pinion focusing complete with three waterhouse stops and red (safe light) filter. It is presented in original wooden carry case with bespoke stand. The projector measures 60cm with the bellows fully extended and stands 52cm high. Case 52cm x 49cm x 24cm.

Condition: Woodwork excellent, still with the protection of its original French Polish. Bellows excellent, minor wear, light tight. Lens very good. Optics very clear and free from any cracks, chips, fungus or haze. Rack and pinion focusing operating freely and without slippage. Internal condensing lens present and in good order. The slide carrier is present and this is in the British Quarter Plate (4¼” x 3¼”) format. The tinplate is in fair condition with minor surface rust, repainted at some stage, the stand with numerous indentations. The original (limelight?) burner is missing and has been replaced with an improvised lamp holder fabricated from an old 'Navy Cut' tobacco tin, pictured. This will require attention! The projector has, nonetheless, been tested using an independent light source and been found to be in good working order, delivering a good sharp image. Original case and stand with wear and replacement bead to one side, cleaned and lightly waxed. Both handles present.

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