Today on the hunt for an Aladdin lantern, ended with great results. Whist negotiating with a lovely lady, she mentions she had something beautiful I may be interested in.. Now I’m pretty new to collecting lanterns, stoves and the odd kero blower, so when presented with a lamp, I was a taken back. Sure it was nice to look at, but unfortunately not my thing. (Also having my partner with me, meant I was quite reluctant to indulge in more than one purchase).. luckily this lady twisted my arm, and I came home with my Aladdin, and what I’m not learning is a 1920s Gloria lamp. now, I’m hoping to learn a bit more about this beauty, which has stolen my heart, and will likely ignite the next part of my collecting journey. I will be on the hunt for a new generator for this girl, and a globe more suitable than that which it come. Ive also learnt it takes shelite, rather than kero, as I was first told, but how does one pressurise this tank? I assume some form of pump might be needed… please enlighten me also includes is a before and after of the new Aladdin
Your Gloria will need a bit of work, but is probably quite repairable. Look through the Glorias in the Reference Gallery and you’ll see how they’ve been restored. You can buy reproduction generators from Old Coleman Parts in the US, but you’ll need to make sure the receiving threads on the lamp are ok. Is there a maker’s badge on the tank? Edit: What does the stamping on the burner cowl say? The tank is pressurised by a pump. Tony
Thanks tony, no badge at all. any ideas on the Coleman product I should be searching for? Pic of pump would be handy also
@Matty H , welcome Matty cool lamp , check out the lantern reference gallery you will find it very useful, good reading and directions one lanterns, lamps and heaters
@Matty H Is Gloria/Chicago on the cowl anywhere? Edit: 1. You have, I think, what is listed in the Pressure Lamp Catalogue of @Mackburner as “Model AC”. 2. Before you spend your money at Old Coleman Parts, can you photograph the generator for me, especially the end where the thread is? 3. Can you also photograph the hole where the generator screws in. I’ve got the OCP generator saved somewhere so don’t go searching yet. Tony
@Tony Press . Unfortunately there doesn’t seem to be any other writings on it, anywhere. Having not realised quite what I was getting into, I admit, I’m feeling a little overwhelmed now. despite amassing a collection of 15 or so, lamps and lanterns, I’ve only been collecting since January perhaps there may be members in my region willing to fettle this one for me, for a fee of course.
I’ll fettle it for you if you like, but with care you could do it yourself. Looking at those photos, the hardest/most delicate task is to get the broken remains of the threaded end of the generator out of where it is now. Tony
Yes I’m off to Bunnings this morning to buy an easy-out bit, Darryl has also kindly suggested quenching, and lubrication…. Fingers crossed
Success, thanks to the kind wisdom of the collective. Broken thread removed. now contemplating what level of cleaning to undertake? Or is 100 years of patina attractive??
Good work, @Matty H ! I have a few Gloria catalogues that I’ve posted in the Reference Library, but your lamp is not in any of them. You will need to become a subscriber (very inexpensive) to access the Library. The tank is one of the Gloria “Oxo-Gas” type. A few US manufacturers used that tank in the 1910s and early 1920s. The burner arrangement is one that Gloria used on both hollow wire and pressure models. I have a new OCP replacement generator you can have for what it cost me (post from US is very expensive at the moment). OCP reproduction on the bottom. By the way, what size easy-out did you use? Best regards Tony
Thanks again tony, I’m delighted with the generosity of the groups knowledge. I believe Darryl was looking into the possibility of selling me a generator from here in aus, so I will hold off Fran your offer at present, but may reconsider if needed. Easy-out 2.0mm and a tiny bit of wd40 did the trick. i certainly will subscribe, as I think I’m fairly deep in the rabbit hole now. it’s such a delight to see a group of passionate people preserving our history
Must really be my lucky week, upon being informed of the type of pump I needed, I was able to find one at a local flea market, not surprisingly, they had no idea what it’s intended use was… the perfect little accompaniment to this Gloria. Thanks again for all your help guys, hopefully not long till she is firing up again… special mention to Darryl… a real gentleman
A soapy bath under pressure is a good idea (under pressure) Before trying to light (to see if there are any leaks)
