Dream of Toyland early animation by Melborune-Cooper
This short film by Arthur Melbourne-Cooper (1874-1961) was made in his garden. Notice how quickly the shadows move. There is too much going on to take in at one viewing.
Arthur Melborne-Cooper lived in St Albans, Hertfordshire for much of his life. He was the son of the local photographer and became manger of a photographic plate manufacturer in nearby Barnet in 1892. In 1894 he assisted Birt Acres ( an American who had settled in Brighton, Sussex) in filming the opening of the Manchester Ship Canal. Cooper's own first film made in 1897 was a commercial for Bird's Custard Powder. His 1899 commercial for Bryant and May matches is thought to be the first stop motion animation film.
A dream of Toyland was made in 1907.
