My first post in the Classic Pressure Lamps forum! I've been intrigued by pressure lamps for some time, but it's taken me until now to finally get one. This one is my grandfathers Aladdin 1A. My grandparents have recently moved and downsized, and I put my hand up for any pressure lamps or stoves if he had any. It was all wrapped in plastic on a top shelf in his garage, except for the reflector that was resting on top. Covered in an inch of sawdust from my grandfathers years of woodworking. I've had it sitting in my shed for a few weeks, but hadn't had the chance to unwrap it until tonight. You should have seen my face as I first laid eyes on the box! I'm guessing that the newspaper stuffed in the box has been there since my grandfather packed it away after un-boxing it for the first time. The reflector hasn't fared as well as the rest of the lamp. I'm guessing it's because it sat in the garage in the salty Warrnambool air for almost 40 years. I've got much to learn before I fire this thing up. Maybe the first project will be the Companion stove that is lurking in the background of these photos.
Hi Poeee Welcome to the group, there is a lot of knowledge here amongst the members. Wow, nice lantern, looks like a real find there. Be great to see the shade restored. Have you fired her up yet? Cheers Peter
No not yet. I've got a bit more to learn before taking it apart and assessing what may need to be replaced and cleaned.
Beauty! I would guess on fueltanklid washer change, nrv pip change/adding lead washer and perhaps pump cup change. Looks almost unburnt so not to mutch if any soot. Congrats on a wounderful lantern.
What a lovely memory to have from your grandparents to have for the future to come and what a fine lamp in all it is - model, age and condition - congratulations and wellcome. Claus C
Yes, Anthony, that is a Tilley reflector 100% I have two Aladdin reflectors and Tilley clones they aint.
Are you absolute certain Matt? The Aladdin 1A is practically a Radius 119, and the early Radius reflector look like this in the illustrations, even if it's hard to see or judge for sure. But they seem to have these unusually small and narrow slots. (The later Radius shades had much larger slots, though, and also four of them.)
Christer, As you know, the Aladdin 12A and 14A preceded the Aladdin 1A. As you also know, the 12A and 14A were chromed. I have a 12A with a chromed reflector. I also have an early Aladdin 1A painted reflector that the paint matches the colour of the fount. As you can see, this reflector has 4 slots but not 4 large slots. It has the 2 really narrow ones as per the Tilley 246 type reflector that Anthony mentioned and 2 larger ones. Tilley has much larger slots for their KL80 lamp. As you can see, this reflector does not match the Tilley one shown above.
Christer, I just went through the 119's with reflector in the Gallery. The two that I could see the bail arm slots, they do not look like the one in the OP's post. They are clearly larger. 1950, Radius 119 - Civil defence version
Yes. That's exactly what I said if you would be so kind to read what I said once more; the normally seen, and later, Radius shades are of that kind with very large slots. I also said that in early Radius catalogues, you see what seems to be a shade that just have what looks like two very small and narrow slots. Like the one at the beginning of this topic... Shades are chronically hard to identify. They do in many case fit from one lantern brand to another, so it's often very hard to tell ones origin from the other. That a shade fit perfectly on e.g. a Tilley doesn't by far mean that it originate from one in the first place. A late Anchor shade fit perfectly on a Primus or Optimus from the 50's, but that doesn't make it a Primus shade.
Christer, I have tried to word my replies to you in such a manner that it goesn't sound like I am lecturing you. I have used terms like "as you know" because I know you know. I also know you have forgotten more about Radius etc, than I'll ever know. So sorry, if I am still not seemingly acknowledging your expertise on this subject. I agree. To me though, it is seemingly a little easier as I have both the Tilley reflector and the one photographed above. They are not even close when you have them side by side. I accept your knowledge and assertions that the Radius and Tilley reflectors look much the same. I have never seen a Radius shade so I am more than happy to believe what you say. The point is though, This topic is about Aladdin 1A. Because the Aladdin 1A is based on the Radius 119, that doesn't mean that the reflector was. My experience of Aladdin reflectors seems to reflect that point. The OP's lamp may well have had the reflector provided with the lamp. It doesn't mean that the reflector is an Aladdin, it just means that the OP's lamp purchase was provided with a reflector that fit the lamp.
@poeee Would you be so kind as to measure the diameter of the shade; and the centre hole; and the width and length of the cut out slots? Cheers Tony
The Tilley 246 reflector and the Tilley EX4 reflector fit the Aladdin quite nicely. What the Tilley reflector lacks is the extra 2 large slots that accommodate the Aladdin hood clips. Still, at a pinch, a Tilley will sit on the Aladdin and do a good job.
Just to help visualise things. Here is the catalogue picture from the 1931 Radius catalogue (it is a thumbnail, so click for a larger picture). To be honest, the text below the shade states that there are two different ones. One to fit the 120 (which would also fit the later 119 and the Australian Aladdin 12A) and another to fit the 123 etc. I believe the picture is of the one to fit the 123, as it does not have clips to hold the top and only has two thin wires holding the top in place. A shade to fit the 120 would need four cutouts, at least like the Primus shade. I have no idea when the later shade with the wide cutouts was introduced, but I am guessing at the late 1930s.
Thanks Nils. To me, the OP's reflector and the one you show from the catalogue are not the same reflector. The catalogue one has what looks to be a secondary bend in it about 2/3rds of the way down, as does the reflector I posted. The OP's does not. The catalogue one has a quite clearly defined top rim as per the one I posted. The OP's does not. The catalogue one has a less pronounced lower rim edge as does the one I posted. The op's has the clearly higher, folded, lower rim edge. At least, that's what my old eyes tell me.
My knowledge about Radius is not very big. And with Aladdin and Tilley even lesser. Matt, where did you get te idea that I said such a thing? I never said anything like that. And certainly not asserted it. I have no idea what a Tilley shade look like in the flesh. Only by pictures here, so I would never make that comparision. All I did was to toss in the question if the shade in the OP:s pictures perhaps was an Aladdin original after all, and suggested the possibility that an original Aladdin shade could look like an old Radius shade. (This was because there wasn't any consensus regarding the Tilley shade "look a likeness". E.g. Paul said that the slots were too small for a Tilley.)
Christer, Rather than getting you to a stage of banging your head against a wall, I was trying to be diplomatic and be nice. It never ceases to amaze me that despite my best efforts to contribute, I merely drive people crazy. I'll bid G'day again and try again in 6 or 12 months.
