The Society's Last Meeting

The Society holds its January meeting in London.

This meeting was also the AGM and included reports from all the major officers on the Committee. Before breaking for lunch Keith Utteridge gave a brief presentation on song slides, sheet music and copyright. Keith detailed the research he has carried out in these areas and the time consuming and often expensive difficulties he has overcome to collect together his extensive collection of songs. Copies are included in the Society reading library. Keith estimates there are probably over 600 song and music sets specifically written to accompany slide sets and his research is ongoing.

After lunch Derrick Speight read a letter from the Secretary of The Magic Circle to the Minister of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries. Sent in the early 1970's it answered, in withering sarcasm, the Minister's request for information on how the Magic Circle ensured birds used in Magicians' performances were suitably cared for. This was followed by brief demonstrations of optical effect slides from David Shanklin (The Magic Parrot), Martin Gilbert (The Magic Chameleon and Newton's Colour Wheel) and finally David Burder with demonstrations of "The Magical Colour Lantern Slide using Cross Polarised Projection".

"A Highly Beneficial Influence" was the title of Brenda and Peter Stibbons' presentation on Friendly Societies and their Feasts and Rituals. Based around the Societies in Norfolk they provided an interesting insight into the Societies that brought some degree of financial security and health care to members before the creation of the National Health Service. They were followed by Ralph Hyde talking about "The Optical Prints of William Spooner", outlining the superb detail and effects that Spooner achieved in the mid-19th century with his "Protean Views".

After afternoon tea and the final chance to bag a bargain at the Members' Market, Laura Zotti, accompanied by Mo Heard entertained with "Dickens' Magic Lantern: Italy in Victorian Visual Culture". Featuring a superb sequence of hand painted slides and dissolving views, Laura took us on a tour around Italy following in the footsteps of Dickens. As always, Laura's slides and presentation were stunning.