Tilley TL136 "The Princess"

Discussion in 'Table & Vase Lamps (TL & VL)' started by gkpllantern, Feb 7, 2024.

  1. gkpllantern

    gkpllantern Japan Subscriber

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    I love the look of my TL136 with the plastic shade and it is one of my favorites of all time.

    The TL136 "The Princess" was introduced in around 1949 as a successor model to the "dome-topped” TL136 (note that the model number did not change) and was produced until around 1959.
    It was a short version of the TL106 "The Queen", and ran on kerosene, producing 300cp.
    Its tank was cream painted as standard, with a polished brass skirt at the bottom and a polished brass column at the top. There seems to have been an optional "speculum" plate.
    It came standard with a glass globe and a specially designed plastic shade (part number 621).

    My TL136 has the following characteristics:
    The gallery has springs on the outside, not the inside.
    Has an onion glass globe and a genuine Tilley plastic shade (part number 621).
    I know that the TL136 was sold with a short 606 vaporizer, but I thought it would look better with a long 169 vaporizer when fitted with the plastic shade (621). So I replaced the short 606 with a long 169.
    It has a GF control cock with a bakelite knob and the depth of the valve socket is about 20mm.
    Both the tank and the column are made of brass.
    The cream paint on the tank is original.
    The polished brass skirt at the bottom does not have "TILLEY ENGLAND" stamped on it, instead a decal is attached to the bottom of the tank.
    Has a pressure indicator on the tank.
    The pump clamp has no stamp and the pump valve guide has 4 holes except one for the pump valve.
    So I suppose my TL136 "Princess", shown here, dates from sometime between about 1949 and 1954.

    If I have misunderstood something, please point me out.

    Best regards,
    Shinzo
     
    Last edited: Feb 7, 2024
  2. Henry Plews

    Henry Plews Subscriber

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    A nice looking lamp. Those shades are hard to find and you're lucky to have one in such good condition, it really does make the lamp complete.
     
  3. JEFF JOHNSON

    JEFF JOHNSON United Kingdom Subscriber

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    A fine example!:thumbup::thumbup:
     
  4. Tony Press

    Tony Press Netherlands Subscriber

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    That’s a fine example, Shinzo.

    Cheers

    Tony
     
  5. ROBBO55

    ROBBO55 Subscriber

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    It looks good Shinzo, congratulations :thumbup:
     
  6. gkpllantern

    gkpllantern Japan Subscriber

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    @Henry Plews
    @JEFF JOHNSON
    @Tony Press
    @ROBBO55

    Thank you for your compliments.
    This plastic shade is said to be hard to find, but why is that?
    It is true that the shade is not very durable, but since it was sold after World War II, it is unlikely that it was lost in the war.
    Could it be that in the 1950s, with the spread of electricity to rural areas, the demand for such lamps declined and not many were sold?
    Or is it because the good British tradition of valuing things weakened after the World War II?
    I would love to hear your thoughts.
    Best regards,
    Shinzo
     
  7. podbros

    podbros United Kingdom Subscriber

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    Thank you for showing us your lamp.. to have the shade is very special :thumbup::thumbup:

    Another lovely light !

    things got harder at home after the war.. there was a long period of austerity and rationing continued (got worse?) with certain items still rationed into the 1950’s
    Paraffin was widely used but perhaps the extra cost of a shade prohibited its purchase?
    Or maybe they all got worn out!

    I’m sure other members have more authority here.. I can only pass on memories from Mum & Dad who passed on some time ago

    Regards
    pb
     
    Last edited: Feb 7, 2024
  8. Buggerlugs

    Buggerlugs Australia Subscriber

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    That's a very impressive looking lamp you have there, especially with the shade.
    I love the way you presented your lamp, congratulations mate.
     
  9. gkpllantern

    gkpllantern Japan Subscriber

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    @podbros
    Thank you for your compliment. I am also sorry to hear that your parents passed away some time ago.
    Thank you for telling us about the situation in Britain after the last war.

    @Buggerlugs
    Thank you for your compliment.
    You also have very nice TL136s. I'm impressed with how well your restoration is done.

    Best regards,
    Shinzo
     
  10. Buggerlugs

    Buggerlugs Australia Subscriber

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    Thank you so much, we do try our best.
    Buggerlugs is my son and I, so we are a team.
    Regards
    Brian.
     
  11. Dean D

    Dean D Subscriber

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    Very nice, would love to find something like that on this side of the world.
     
  12. gkpllantern

    gkpllantern Japan Subscriber

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    @Dean D

    Thank you for your compliment.
    I noticed that you have a genuine AGM 9374 S155 glass shade. It has been on my wish list for a very long time. I would love to get my hands on it someday.
    Best regards,
    Shinzo
     
  13. Dean D

    Dean D Subscriber

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    Yes, that was a lucky find, someday it will be offered for sale
     

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