Kinora Motion Picture Machine & 4 Reels

An extraordinary early cinema lot featuring a c. 1900s cast metal table-top Kinora viewer by Kinora Ltd. (B.M. & Biograph Co. Ltd.) of London, England, complete with four total motion picture flipbook reels and four original embossed cardboard containers. Invented by the Lumière brothers, the Kinora system brought kinetic moving pictures into the home using rotating sequential photographic leaves mounted on stamped brass hubs. The lot includes the main viewer machine housing an original reel depicting a pre-WWI biplane on an airfield flying past a tower during takeoff or landing, alongside three additional loose reels depicting subjects such as a stage magician performance and a figure standing near a pedestal, as well as four original cardboard storage cases. The cast metal viewer displays an aged dark patina with light surface oxidation, dust, and minor edge wear; a detailed inspection of the top lid hinges reveals bent wire hinge pins, though the lid retains sound overall functional operation. The mechanism winds and runs properly. The lenses are clear with no chipsor cracks. The reel that is currently on the machine is of the Wright brothers aeroplane. The four flipbook reels measure approximately 0.75" thick, expanding to 5" in diameter when uncoiled, and fit into 4" diameter cardboard cases; two loose reels remain intact, while one loose reel exhibits core separation with roughly 20% of its photographic leaves detached. The four included cardboard storage containers show heavy wear, rim flaking, and seam splitting. H 11", W 8", D 8". Please see photos for condition. From the Allen Koenigsberg collection. Please see photos for condition. From the Allen Koenigsberg collection.