This picture was made by the seller of batch of Tilley lamps, documentary and 'magic powder' here in The Netherlands some time ago. It seems this 'Owlite' had high hopes by the company, given the enthousiastic introduction of it in some documents, but disappeared soon and quietly from the market. Unfortunately no given year on this printed matter, but around 1954/55 seems likely. Meant to replace methylated spirit to prime their lamps, it did little to make this procedure less complicate, and likely more expensive if not less available than alcohol. After all, the white powder would just replace the pink / blue liquids. Well over 60 years old, the powder does not make its presence felt when taking a full tin in one's hand, nor heard when shaken. As for its pre-heating properties, a spoonful of it is just simmering, with a hard to see blue flame or rather cast on top of it, and only after repeated attempts to light it. However, there still is some 'magic' as it leaves hardly a trace when spent.....
Maybe the availability, convenience and cost of methylated spirits was the demise of this product that, I presume, one would have had to buy from the Tilley distributor. Cheers Pete
Yes, that is my take on it: a more complicated solution for which there never was a real problem. The only theoretical advantage is already mentioned somewhere: you could take some supply in a bag or envelope to facilitate packing. Mike.
