Each of the delicate slides, on display at Leeds Central Library, was designed to be used in a magic lantern, a portable device that projected images onto a wall or screen where an audience could view them.

The vividly coloured, lithographic sets were originally sold in boxes of eight, and came with a script which could be read aloud while the slides were projected during a show.

The library’s collection of slides is on display as part of an exhibition exploring the fantasy genre and how it has influenced centuries of folklore, fiction and entertainment.

As well as the magic lantern slides, the exhibition, entitled Fantasy: Realms of Imagination, includes copies of Grimms Fairy Tales, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Gulliver’s Travels and Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, complete with stunning illustrations by the renowned Arthur Rackham.

Also on display are ancient Greek coins dating from more than 2,000 years ago, on loan from Leeds Museums and Galleries, and featuring the monstrous Gorgon and the fabled winged horse Pegasus.

Popular fantasy TV shows including Xena: Warrior Princess and Buffy the Vampire Slayer also feature in the exhibition, which will close later this month.

A pair of mythical dragons are also carefully watching over their eggs in the library in an installation created by fantasy artist Anne Stokes.

Fantasy: Realms of Imagination is inspired by a current exhibition also being held at the British Library and has featured a programme of events and activities through the exhibition.

Fantasy: Realms of Imagination is at Leeds Central Library until January 17, 2024.

Parts of the exhibition will then be displayed across the city including at Chapel Allerton Library from Jan 22, Beeston Library and Community Hub from Feb 5 and Holt Park Library and Community Hub from Feb 19.

For more details or to see the events programme in full, please visit: Fantasy: Realms of Imagination (leeds.gov.uk)