I was extremely lucky to have been given this venerable old table lamp today. The shade is most likely original. The fount has a graduated paint effect so there was a limit to how far I could clean off the paraffin residue. Here's the decal on the underside of the fount. I don't know the exact date but would guess between 1946 and 1949 And this is how it looked when I got it home.
I heard that a local elderly man passed away recently and I think the lamps might have been his. At the recycling centre there were some cast iron garden benches that were also his... which I also managed to rescue. Whoever the old chap was, I'll look after his possessions for future generations to enjoy. As soon as the weather gets better I'll raise a glass, sitting on his bench, with his lamp to light up the night.
That looks the dogs Colin, I like the graduated finish. When you find these old lamps, you have to wonder what they’ve witnessed....
Wow @ColinG, what a beautiful lamp with the pork pie base and I dare say original shade glass. It looks to be in awesome nick. Have a glass for me when you’re sitting on the bench remembering the old gent. Cheers Pete
That was my thought too... up here in the highlands many lamps like this were used on a regular basis because that was the only light source available. It's at the top of today's to do list! The moment I get it working I'll shout about it for sure! Yeah, I'm pretty sure the glass is original too as everything was packed up carefully in the two boxes and the burner had been wrapped in plastic to protect it. Someone obviously looked after it and I'll do the same. It's raining again today, so no glass raising for the old guy just yet but as soon as we stop getting drenched it'll definitely happen. By the way, I'm not sure what's happening weather wise in Oz but you can help yourself to as much of the wet stuff as you like - we've had enough now! If a single person in the UK bleats on about hosepipe ban after this lot they'll get a bloody good slap!
How sad that all his stuff went to the dump. There must be a lesson there for all us old folks - sell or donate before you snuff it. I know for a fact that my ‘stuff’ would most likely end up being dumped, neither of my sons would think twice about it, they think it’s all rubbish anyway!
Jean, the thought of your unique and outstanding collection being dumped sounds like a scene from a very bad horror story! I honestly think your lamps should end up in a museum of some kind, I honestly do but in any event we're talking many years in the future anyway. But... I have to say that as time passes you can't help but think of your own mortality and what will happen to the items that have meant so much to you but which might be lost on someone else. It's a worry.
@ColinG Ha! I can tell you all about this, having in rapid succession buried my dad, sister and mum. Ultimately all that’s left are a few boxes of photos, a generation later those photos too become irrelevant. Our lamps will outlast us, the way things are going they’ll probably be pressed back into regular service! So what to do? Simple, enjoy every day and of course, look after those lamps! @Jean J You’ll be around well after many off us have fitted our last mantle. You’ve a high level of fitness, you’re female and you have a family history of longevity. You’ve many a rare lamp to find yet! Also, if the lamps hadn’t gone to the dump, they wouldn’t have come Colin’s way....
Actually that's true Steve... although they went to the second hand place not the dump... if they had, that would have been tragic, although I'm sure it happens all the time
Stage one complete. Vaporiser seal and control valve/stem seal were pliable and sealed ok so ileft those for now. The control gland nut seal was shot and pissed out first time I tried adding pressure so that was replaced. Added a leather pump washer as it was missing and changed the pump filler cap washer. Also fettled the NRV as that was solid and leaked. After all that I primed it, lit it and now she's been running in blue flame mode for maybe a quarter of an hour without issues so in a little while I'll add a mantle and see how she fares.
And finally... A warm glow a gentle whisper and she's back again doing what she was designed to do. I can easily imagine a crofter couple back in the day, reading by the light of their TL106 as the wind blows outside Thanks @BigStevie for some last minute advice on control knob disassembly. I used a Butterfly 41 mantle adapted for use on a Tilley which seems to be working well so far. The light is steady and isn't fluctuating as far as I can tell.
Yeah, I'm pretty blooming happy with the result. You never know exactly what you're going to find when you start working on a lamp but this was no problem at all!
Lovely story, and such a pleasure to see her lit up again. @ColinG You are right, she does invoke thought of howling wind and safety indoors while the storm passes. You've a result there.
Well done @ColinG Great to see the grand old lady lighting up. It just goes to show, although she’s old she’s still got it. That shade certainly is a real bonus. Cheers Pete
New information: I've found out that the old gentleman who owned the lamp is still alive and may have some others to get rid of which is good news because I'll get first refusal. But... the best part is, he used to be the lighthouse keeper on the Ardnamurchan! How amazing is that!
Looking forward to the story of the great storm of 56. When nothing stood between the cruel sea but a porkpie Tilley and the sturdy lighthouse keeper.
Nah Pete, he wants them to stay in the Highlands..... It’s my duty to make sure Colin doesn’t get overwhelmed.
