Hi all, When James recently showed us news paper ads (NZ Truth 1925) from New Zeeland with the Kerona lamp - what can be more appropriate than to show a real Kerona lamp. This is my Kerona example stamped and branded “TALISMAN”. I bought this restoration project lamp from France years ago. The Kerona lamp is the first known lamp using the Preston coil generator burner. The Preston patents are early 1910ish and my burner is stamped with the two Preston German patent numbers (issued 1910). The ads from NZ 1925-1930 indicates “Early Brothers, Wellington” as the seller and maybe also maker. Later Collin Mills has come up with evidence that the inventor Preston and his brother “A. Malcolm Preston & Co” made Kerona lamps in AUS probably as early as 1914. How come my Kerona is branded Talisman and why in France? Recently I got a lot of lamp paperwork from France. Among all the sheets and catalogues I found a Maurice Juchat /Paris catalogue page with blow torches of the brand “Talisman”. Maurice Juchat is associated with the “Juchat & Corre”, [L.G. GL.], a well known Paris lamp company with vapour and semi-pressure lamps in their catalogues. My conclusion is that this company or another associated company (perhaps Lilor) imported these Kerona lamps from Australia and re-branded them as “Talisman” lamps. The Lilor Co. had earlier a well known connection with Australia selling re-branded lamps and radiators there. I have several people to thank for the restoration of this lamp. First of all I will thank Albert White from AUS that made me a new pump as this wasn’t present when I received the lamp. He copied the pump from one of his two Kerona lamps and I must say he did a fantastic job. I also must thank Fred Kuntz for making me a mica shade that fitted like glove in hand. Last but not least I will thank Neil for providing me with an image with measurements of the brass top vent cap (the only cap that has surfaced so far), so I could make me one myself. The shade is an opal thin glass shade that I had and with some adjustments fitted very well. The Kerona lamp is rated 80 CP, which I find a bit conservative, having a 200 CP Optimus mantle fitted. (Mods……I’m not quite sure which category to post this - Other Countries or France) /Conny
Yes Gunsoo, it is a smart way to get access to the burner and mantle and also much easier to pre-heat with the burner cage in a low position. As you can see there is a bayonet mantle fitter which allow you to use a three legged ceramic mantle holder for your mantle and you can also use a rigid gas style lamp mantle. /Conny
your lamp make me knock down ! i never find your three leg style mantle. really expecially table lamp. Conny if you okay, sharing us, your lovely wiktorin alcohol table lamp. Gunsoo
Not an easy one. However I don't believe this is a French lamp although it may have been sold there by J&C. It could pehaps be Australian made but as yet the only examples of of this lamp with collectors or on paper appear to be New Zealand made. Whilst I think the jury is still out on where this Tallisman was made I think it is best posted with the NZ Kerona lamps as it is a brand name change only and besides it will be easier to compare with the Kerona if it is in the same gallery. ::Neil::
Hi Gunsoo, I think you already are familiar with the rigid inverted mantles. Here is an example of the Veritas brand. You can then re-use the ceramic mantle holder base to tie on your regular soft mantles. Yes Gunsoo, it’s a lovely lamp and you can see it as my avatar. With the new Reference Gallery category – “Gravity Lamps - all makes” – I may later make a post of that lamp. Thank you for your interest! /Conny
Hi, I'm coming back to this old Kerona thread of mine, as when I was doing research for a French lamp, I accidentally found this new info for my Talisman lamp. This ad comes from a 1913 Paris Journal and would probably be one of the earliest ads for a Kerona type of lamp. This ad makes it possible to date my lamp more specific. /Conny
@Conny C Thank you for posting this advertisement. It’s another piece of the Kerona jigsaw. Here’s my short history of Kerona: https://classicpressurelamps.com/th...short-history-of-the-kerona-table-lamp.12975/ Cheers Tony
