A MOONLIGHT SCENE.
This novel effect, as shown in the picture, is a pleasing centerpiece to any class of displayed goods. The background was a scene, painted in oil colors on a 7 × 9 canvas, of a rough, “choppy” sea, the water in natural colors, the sky nearly black, except where the edges of the clouds are lit up by the rising moon. At the horizon a hole is cut for moon, and beneath that, and all the way down to bottom of the canvas, little slits were cut in the crests of the waves, the width of space in which slits were cut widening while going downward. White celluloid was glued to back of moon and also all the slits, and back of celluloid yellow tissue paper was glued. On front of canvas edges of slits were tipped with gilt and silver metal flitters sprinkled liberally between. Divide the canvas into two parts by cutting through where the sky line and water meet. Each part was mounted on a frame, the water part put on very loosely, allowing three or four inches play. When set up the water canvas laps over the sky a trifle, and is set one-half inch forward to allow sail to pass through, which is a piece of cardboard painted gray, and fastened on an endless band. An incandescent light is placed back of moon, also one lower down, back of slits, and an electric fan stood back of water canvas. When set in motion the sail projects through and passes across the canvas between the two frames at the horizon, and the canvas on water frame being loose, the fan gives it a pitching, rolling motion. When seen from sidewalk no division of canvas is detected, and the illusion of the moving sail and rolling waters, reflecting the moon’s light, is perfect. This arrangement is so simple and easy that any one can do it, and it is bound to be an overwhelming attraction anywhere. This display was the invention of Oscar M. Condit.
DESIGN SHOWING A MOONLIGHT SCENE.—Condit.
