About this Project

In September 2007, we were lucky enough to be able to salvage the contents of the former City of London Asylum . Regal Group removed two Gaumont-Kalee 18 Cinema Projectors with Mercury Arc Rectifiers and Duosonic sound system from City of London Asylum, near Dartford, Kent.

Stone House similar to many large asylums and hospitals had fully equipped projection room for the entertainment of its 3000 patients. The Great Hall which also housed a large raked stage and hemp flying system, had a second proscenium  arch at 90 degree to the stage to conceal the halls projection screen that had long since disappeared upon our visit. The opposite walls projection ports had been boarded and wallpaper over some years previous, so there was no clue as to the treasures hidden behind.

Most importantly the projection room has remained warm and dry, and having all its windows intact has no doubt helped the appearance of the machines and prevented that surface rust on the nickel plating that so often reduces bygone installations like this to just a pile of spares.

On the day of the removal we set about dismantling both machines and marking all components as projector 1 or 2. Unfortunately we were soon informed that the power to the goods lift had been isolated, so everything that day had to be transported down six flight of stairs and through several corridors to the main entrance for loading. The heaviest component of the projector is its cast iron base however still achievable as a two man lift, but we soon realised the rectifiers were going to cause a problem, needing at least four people to get one of the ground. After some scavenging we came across a room full of off-cuts of shuttering ply which we were able to use as skis under the rectifier base reducing any sudden movement that could have jeopardized the glass the mercury bottle.

It was a tight pack to fit all the equipment in the small transit we had and a long day, but well worth while saving this installation, although Kalee 18's were not the top of the range model of the day, the outstanding condition of these machines make them a real gem, and to find two working "Nevelin" mercury arc rectifiers that have survived sixty years from the scrap man is really exciting.

The removal of this installation was carried out by:

Alex Cooper

Peter Bennett of Bennett-Orwell Group

Adam Pearson

Neil 'Second Choice' Reynolds

All Pictures taken by Adam Pearson