I haven't bought any pressure lanterns since Covid started, yet blow me down, I've now bought 3 in the last two weeks and I'm Brassic! I bought an immaculate Hipolito 502 automatic - it's in the reference gallery under Hipolito H205 Automatic I also bought Coleman 275(turd)- that's in the discussion forum(here) under My first ever pressure lantern. And I spotted a coleman 214a kerosene lantern last night, made an offer for it 50 quid inc postage and they accepted it. I'll post photos here when it arrives. I have no idea what its condition is because the pictures of it are too dark and you can't see any details, although I got the model number from the pictures because it wasn't mentioned in the advert, maybe that's why someone else hadn't snapped it up, literally a shot in the dark! I just hope the Tank isn't too rusty. Why, O Why, do Coleman not use brass? I'm not a collector, just an enthusiast, I like Petromax's and their clones and now have a Petromax, a Butterfly(chromed brass not chromed iron) and now the Hipo 502. I'm not keen on Coleman lanterns BUT I now have three of them, The above 275 which I bought for sentimental reasons, a Northstar and now the 214a. I also have a Vapalux M320 which is nowhere like original unfortunately, I was seduced by the shiny brass tank and the refurb that was overdone, or should I say done to sell, and muggins here fell for it, although it is actually a really good lamp and it will outlast me and whoever gets it after me. I also have a cheap Chinese mini pressure lamp, its a mini petromax 150 style, it's even got the rapid preheater, i bought that because it's cute and I have never seen one like it before or after and it works fine! I live in a small council flat so I haven't got room to collect many more lanterns so over the next few years i'll refine my little collection, I would like to replace the Vapalux with a more original M320, The Northstar will go, too modern for me, and the little Chinese knock off will be replaced by a Petromax 150 or the Optimus equivalent. I never intended to collect pressure lamps, it happened sort of accidentally, and probably goes back to my camping days. I've also got into stoves but not so heavily. Anyway I hope I haven't bored you too much, I do go on a bit don't I Ray
Enjoy the search for your favorite lanterns. And there is nothing wrong with saving an old lantern, fettling it back to life and passing it onto someone else to appreciate.
Hiya again, Just to update you all I've also got hold of a Coleman 201in its official mustard coloured carrying case. Ray
It doesn't look as bad as that in real life, I think the flash makes it look brighter than it actually is! I think it was sold with the case as they are both stamped with the same month and year.
Indeed ! But it cost me more than I would normally pay for a lantern, but its in that good a condition there is no extra expenses. Drat it the lantern bug has bitten me hard, and I'm now looking at a 1955 Tilly guardsman that needs some love But that's it or I will be looking for a lock up to store them in. Ray
Oh yes, them famous words that have been spoken in numerous ways, especially on this Forum and on multiple times. I know that, I am one of them, Good luck with that one.
Every time something different turns temptation will take over and if your not careful you will end up with as many buggerlugs, mind you I'm just as bad, my shed is overflowing with them and I'm slowly sneaking them in the house now, The bug bites deep.
I havn't counted my collection but I think I've got about as many as you Brian, I havn't found hardly any this year , I did find a 201 in a yellow case last year exactly identical to the one whiteturbo started this thread with and it only cost me 30 of your good old British pounds
I think that is the answer, From now on, the only lanterns I will buy have to cost £30 or less, and must be pre 1990, AND must replace something I already have, or it must be sold on after being restored. That should put a stop to my GAS(Gear acquisition syndrome) because getting something decent for 30 quid or less will be rare, AND as I hate selling my things I won't want to part with anything I already have. I am serious here because my little flat is starting to look like Aladdin's cave, Lanterns wherever you look
Don't think I haven't thought about that but it took me 20 years to get this council flat and I aint going private again. Nope I will just have to get rid of the crappy Coleman Northstar and the little miniature Chinese Petromax lookalike, That will give me some breathing room, and I will have to get real selective about my next couple of lanterns!
