Lamps and Lanterns

and allied devices

I collect all types of liquid fuelled lamps and lanterns although most are paraffin powered pressure lamps.

I have numerous Tilley lamps, both storm lanterns and table lamps. I also have a 'doughnut' lamp. These are all paraffin powered. I also have lanterns by Bialladin, Vapalux, Hippolito, Primus, Optimus, Alladin, et al.

All my petrol lanterns (3 of them!) are American Coleman.

I have several non pressure (i.e. hurricane) lanterns in various sizes and an Alladin 27 with a circular wick and an upside down mantle.

I believe that 19th century French lamps burned meths but I've not seen one of those.

Below are pictures of a few of my collection.

Kitson table lamp
This KITSON table lamp has embossed around the top of the tank
THE KITSON EMPIRE LIGHTING Co Ltd STAMFORD ENGLAND
PATENT No 10611 APRIL 20th 1911
REGISTERED TRADE MARK KELITE
The control valve is missing but was mounted above the burner. Also above the burner is a tube down which the meths was poured to pre-heat the burner.
I assume that the lamp dates from the early 1920's but have no further details.

Tilley "Doughnut" lamp
This is an indoor model. A similar lamp was available with a weatherproof "hat" above the burner for outdoor use, hung from the top of a tall pole.
This model has no inbuilt pump. The tank was pressurised using a bicycle pump, available as an optional extra.

Tilley PL53
This is the predecessor of the popular X246 storm lantern. Note that the frame does not hold the burner on. If the lamp fell over, the burner would fall off!

Primus 1020
This lamp was made in the early 1930s. It appears to be the type of lamp that the Chinese Anchor brand lamps were modelled after.

Radius 102

Hipolito 250B

Optimus 930

Coleman 226
This is the smallest of the Coleman petrol lanterns. I purchased this lantern new in 1996. It is advertised as suitable for backpackers.

Coleman 2000
This model, also burning petrol, was introduced in 1998. It is the largest of the Coleman lanterns. Note the mantle which is a long, tubular affair. It has electrinic ignition, powered by a battery. Because the jet is at the top of the mantle and the ignition device is at the bottom, the whole globe is full of petrol vapour when it ignites and it tends to "explode" into life rather than light gently as is normal on other lamps.

	Kitson table lamp This KITSON table lamp has embossed around the top of the tank THE KITSON EMPIRE LIGHTING Co Ltd STAMFORD ENGLAND PATENT No 10611 APRIL 20th 1911 REGISTERED TRADE MARK KELITE The control valve is missing but was mounted above the burner. Also above the burner is a tube down which the meths was poured to pre-heat the burner. I assume that the lamp dates from the early 1920's but have no further details.
	Tilley "Doughnut" lamp This is an indoor model. A similar lamp was available with a weatherproof "hat" above the burner for outdoor use, hung from the top of a tall pole. This model has no inbuilt pump. The tank was pressurised using a bicycle pump, available as an optional extra.
	Tilley PL53 This is the predecessor of the popular X246 storm lantern. Note that the frame does not hold the burner on. If the lamp fell over, the burner would fall off!
	Primus 1020 This lamp was made in the early 1930s. It appears to be the type of lamp that the Chinese Anchor brand lamps were modelled after.
	Radius 102
	Hipolito 250B
	Optimus 930
	Coleman 226 This is the smallest of the Coleman petrol lanterns. I purchased this lantern new in 1996. It is advertised as suitable for backpackers.
	Coleman 2000 This model, also burning petrol, was introduced in 1998. It is the largest of the Coleman lanterns. Note the mantle which is a long, tubular affair. It has electrinic ignition, powered by a battery. Because the jet is at the top of the mantle and the ignition device is at the bottom, the whole globe is full of petrol vapour when it ignites and it tends to "explode" into life rather than light gently as is normal on other lamps.