Many images will have been made available commercially at the time of production whilst others are taken by private individuals for lectures at their local social evenings. Photographs of rocks or cliffs at the time would have looked dramatic to the photographer, but to the present day viewer they may seem less interesting, so these are generally not included unless something else of interest is happening in the scene.

The reader will find the variety of the subjects both fascinating and of great social interest. Logistic difficulties of the cumbersome, and technically difficult equipment is discussed. This is a book for anyone interested in magic lantern slides or the photographic, social and topographical history of Cornwall.