FABRIC VIEWER, circa 1910

The unit comes with two metal slides with cut-outs. The first slide has measurements for the cuts in the metal slides included with the lamp; ¼, ½, and 1 is one-quarter inch, half-in, one inch. Fabric is inserted, and the thread count can then be done. The other slide has cuts for 37-Irish linen measure, Scotch-Scotch Porter Linen measure, SP-Spanish 6 millimetres, FR-French 5 millimetres, Centimetre- French centimetre.
The fabric can be viewed from above using the side light, or from below using the light under the frosted glass. Written on the plate on the front – Patent 1025/10 J. R. Gill 61, Cheapside, London, E.O. Patent dated August 10, 1910.

Identification received from the from the Flash light Museum in Columbus.

Donated by David Hall

Your comments:

• Hello from the Flashlight Museum in Columbus, Ohio. I have one of these and it is not a magic lantern. It is a fabric tester. It comes with two metal slides with cut-outs. The first slide has measurements for the cuts in the metal slides included with the lamp; ¼, ½, and 1 is one-quarter inch, half-in, one inch. Fabric is inserted, and the thread count can then be done. The other slide has cuts for 37-Irish linen measure, Scotch-Scotch Porter Linen measure, SP-Spanish 6 millimetres, FR-French 5 millimetres, Centimetre- French centimetre.
  The fabric can be viewed from above using the side light, or from below using the light under the frosted glass. Mine has a plate on the front – Patent 1025/10 J. R. Gill 61, Cheapside, London, E.O. I have the patent as well, dated August 10, 1910.
  
  .......... Steve Giterman (Flashlight Museum), Columbus, Ohio USA, 10th of November 2022
  
  
• I found this www.abc.net.au/tv/collectors/showandtell/archive/s1753326.htm ;J.R.Gill 81 Cheapside' on the plate, this item has 'J.R.Gill 61 Cheapside'. There is a Patent number of 1025/10.
  
  I believe it is the same forum already mentioned where one poster suggested it was used for "measuring the number of threads in the weave of cloth".
  
  J.R. Gill has a similar viewer listed on this auction site: www.liveauctioneers.com/item/40216839_35mm-movie-viewer-by-jr-gill
  .......... John Repischak, Tampa, Florida, USA, 15th of September 2015
  
  
• I saw this Item on another forum.
  "I understand it was for measuring the number of threads in the weave of cloth."
  .......... Ray, Exeter, 20th of March 2009
  
  

A1570