MAVtech's collection holds many cinema slides- but this is one of the most intriguing. Unlike almost every other slide it has no writing on it (including on the edges) and is striking arranged with lots of 'blank space'. 

What was it used for?

It is impossible to be certain- but it probably celebrated the victory of the British Empire after World War One. The slide was found in a box with many other First World War slides, including one celebrating the victory. Although New Zealand's flag was flown by ships since 1869 (and was 'official' since 1902) it wasn't formally flown in battle until the Second World War, so the presence of the Imperial Union Jack would have made a lot of sense on a local slide. 

(The New Zealand flag was flown during the Gallipoli campaign at Quinn's Post- however this was unofficial and not ordered by the military command).

Britannia, the human personification of Britain, sits at the bottom of the slide.

This humorous slide would have been shown during cinema intermission in Foxton. The design may have been a generic one used by many garages (the farmer's language seems more American than local) but the message was loud and clear! 

This slide is in a similar style to another Foxton slide, O'Leary and Sons plumbers. Both feature eye  - catching cartoons which show the social embarrassment of not calling 'an expert' to do the job.

MAVtech cannot find any record of when Evans & Cooper were operating. However, by the looks of the car the 1950s would be a good estimate. 

R.N Speirs had a big presence in Foxton and MAVtech has a range of cinema advertising slides showing them advertising timber and cooking appliances! This particular slide is advertising an infra-red electric heater.

Foxton has plenty of late 19th/early 20th century villas and Foxton Beach is famous for it's batches. Both have plenty of character and charm but not a lot of insulation! A heater would be just the thing during a cold, wintery day.  This slide would date from the 1960s (approximately).

The art of the 'silly cat photo' so beloved by the internet dates back to the 1870s. Cats have been seen dressed up in suits (one even had a monocle on!) and were often accompanied by silly captions. 

This cat doesn't look at all pleased to be in it's photograph. As an image it lacks technical polish- the shadow of the photographer intrudes into the image. A hand (soon to be scratched, maybe?) holds the unwilling feline still. The whole thing is overexposed. 

While it wouldn't win any awards, snapshots like this are some of the most pure slices of life ever to be recorded. Even better, it is a magic lantern projector slide- it took effort to make it. So someone, somewhere saw the photo and thought 'that is worth keeping'. 

But it probably wasn't the cat.

MAVtech has a broad collection of magic lantern slides- but none are more haunting than this one. We know very little about the person in this photograph. From his uniform we know  he was a lieutenant in the First World War. He is wearing a gas mask to protect against enemy chemical warfare attacks (or 'friendly' gas blowing back towards his own lines). His uniform is clean- it is unlikely he was photographed anywhere near 'The Front'.

It may have been a snapshot. Private cameras on the Western Front were banned from 22nd of December, 1914. One soldier found with a camera was sentenced to three months imprisonment with hard labour. However, the rules were often disobeyed and were sometimes laxer with regards to 'Officers' like a lieutenant. Cameras were also allowed 'behind the lines'  or off-duty, when this picture may have been taken.

But it is more likely that this was an official photograph taken to be displayed during magic lantern lectures at the home front. People were desperate for any news of the war and were eager for photographs. This soldier looks clean, well fed and comparatively relaxed for someone preparing for a chemical attack. He would have been a reassuring image for those back home.

Written on back - Jaycee Levin Event Elephant Race Wally Wise (Mayor), Val Hercus, , Ross Smith, Mr A. McCready

Elephant Race along Oxford Street, Levin, January 1963

4 elephants with local people ridering them dressed as jockeys

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

Hector McDonald on a horse in the Grand Hotel

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Cat at thermal area Rotorua

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Penciled on back – Otaki Teenage Driving Contest local wi

Teenage Driving Contest local winners (4 unidentified people) 1 B&W photo print

3 men & 1 woman, man (left) is holding prize cup. Unusual lighting used for photo, only light source appears to be near floor below the camera.

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

Dyeing

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Ship

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Family group

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Man on a rope ladder

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Woman with hands in her pocket

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A person.

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Foxton Historical Society”