When does a grown man get excited over a 50yr old virgin? When it is an unused lantern. Could not believe my luck to snare this rare specimen. This one is older than me, don't know if I can bring myself to fire her up; I feel like a trembling teenager on his first date. What would you do?
MY OH MY!!!! A piece that pristine should stay that way IMHO. If there ever was a reason for a "Shelf Queen", this qualifies in every sense. At minimum this "virgin" is 62 years old. Acording to the dates in the Collectors Guide they were only built 1945-1949. What is the date stamp on the bottom? Bob
That's a beauty for sure and a tough decision to make. I had the same problem a few years back when I bought a Coleman 237 on Ebay (my first kero Coleman, made in 1963). Turns out it was never lit, in perfect condition. I too could not bring myself to light it, so I bought a second one instead. I've used that one a lot. Super bright and one of my favorites. Recently I bought my first UK lantern on the 'bay, a Bialaddin 320. To my delight (and dismay if that's possible) it too was virgin, never lit, with the original mantle installed and unburned. Same quandary, to light or not! That one I may light, but first I want to find a used hood to use for lighting and save the original for display purposes. Good luck on your decision, Dan
I don't see it as a tough decision at all... Clearly that lantern is museum quality and there's absolutely no doubt in my mind it should be preserved exactly as it is. If nothing else, it should stand as a benchmark for other collectors to know exactly how these lanterns left the factory. As it is, I'd say that lantern is probably unique. If you light it, then it's just another lit lantern and there are many of those. My view would be, if you don't want the responsibility of preserving it exactly as it is, the best course of action would be to sell it to someone who does and use the funds to buy a used example. For me, both Bob and Dan have it exactly right...
Have to admit I was being rather tongue in cheek with my post. Like yourselves, I will be leaving this one in pristine condition. Amazes me how there are collectible items like lanterns still sitting around in such new condition. Though this one cost me as much as one of the latest Coleman lanterns, it is the first 241 I have ever seen for sale in NZ, so was quick to secure it, as I know these are highly sort after. It even has its original globe.
Your romantic metaphor has me itching to encourage you to light it, love it, and take it with you to dinner... But, given it's a lantern, it's probably best to keep in in its pristine condition.
A rare piece and marginally better condition than mine. I would have had it running by now. Firing it once won't affect its value any and anyway it is what they were made for. ::Neil::
June 1961 eh? Just goes to show that the Coleman Collectors Guide has several errors. Are there any markings as to where this was made? Canada perhaps or some other country? Bob
I have just got myself a 241g from up north, a little beaten up but according to everywhere quite rare. Needs a glass and pre-heat cup tho.
