Slide Projectors (1950-2004)

Golde Model 300-P-1042 

The GoldE Manumatic (Model 300-P-1042), produced in the early 1950s by the GoldE Manufacturing Company of Chicago, was a professional-grade 35mm slide projector that combined sleek Art Deco industrial design with rugged, heavy-duty engineering. Often found in a "25th Anniversary" edition (marking the company's 1925–1950 milestone), the 1042 was a "blower-cooled" unit that utilized a powerful internal fan to protect delicate film slides from the heat of its 300-watt lamp. It featured a high-quality 5-inch f/3.5 Anastigmat coated lens and a unique manual "Manumatic" slide carrier that allowed for smooth, semi-automatic transitions between 2x2 slides. The projector was typically integrated directly into the bottom of its own "tawny checkered" tweed carrying case, making it a self-contained portable theater for mid-century living rooms and small classrooms alike. While GoldE was a leader in theater lighting and projection equipment for decades, the company eventually ceased operations in 1958, leaving the 300-P-1042 as one of the last great examples of the Chicago-made "all-metal" era of photography.

Source: Elephant's Trunk Flea Market

Kodak Carousel 4600

The Kodak Carousel 4600, released in 1981, was a high-end mainstay of Kodak’s redesigned "4000-5000" series, which modernized the iconic slide projector with a sleeker, black break-resistant housing and improved mechanical reliability. Positioned as a "deluxe" consumer and light-professional model, its standout feature was its reliable infrared autofocus system, which automatically adjusted the lens to compensate for "popping" slides or varying mount thicknesses. The 4600 utilized the standard 80- or 140-slide circular trays and featured a built-in storage compartment for its wired remote, which provided control over forward and reverse functions. It was powered by a 300-watt FHS halogen lamp housed in a quick-release module, allowing users to swap a blown bulb in seconds without tools. Known for its "gentle gravity feed" that reduced the risk of jammed slides, the 4600 remained in production for over two decades as a cornerstone of home slide shows and classroom lectures until Kodak officially discontinued all Carousel projectors in October 2004. 

Donation: John & Carol Babina Jr.