Hi all, Here is an exceptional NOS example of the Petromax lantern N°2826 stamped 143 on the bottom of the tank. It arrived with its original box with the upper packing and the spirit can. I discovered it in the national classified ads in the south of France by chance. The cardboard label was torn at the factory or afterwards, I don't know. One photo shows a tiny piece of chrome, not green, cap from an 826 on the rest of the tag. I took maximum precautions to do a light cleaning and a little protective maintenance for all the galvanized steel parts (with Breakthrough clean technology oil) and raw because I live in the great east of France and the winters are more humid than in Avignon in the south of France where this lantern comes from. It is not missing a millimeter of paint or enamel, the only traces on the enamel are the support wires for the kiln firing. I was very surprised by the condition of this lantern, which generated a lot of questions for me about its history. I asked the seller if she knew the history of this lantern and here is the content of her message word for word: "hello, I hope the lamp arrived without damage! It's a lamp that my father stole from a German freight train in Avignon during the war as a child. Unfortunately I don't have any other details. He had three but only one new one. When he died, we kept the other two with my sister, for our boys. Tell me if everything is ok" So this is the reason why this lantern is so well preserved. I had in stock for years a Pétromax set of spare parts with two sleeves acquired in a Nordic country. Normally these parts identical to the caliber of this lantern are from the same period I dedicate them to him because all the numbers clay nozzle jet needles are identical to the lantern. The small bag that was opened is green in color? Especially if I'm wrong about the spare parts, don't hesitate to tell me. I also brought from Germany a green reflector engraved with Pétromax, also from the same period, to form a batch consistent with this exceptional lantern. I warmly thank again Valérie the saleswoman from Avignon whom I invited to consult this publication. I also thank Olaf Rosen from Ilmenau in Germany for the vintage Pétromax green reflector delivered in an exemplary manner. These three elements now form one. Thank you for sharing. The pictures. Regards, Titoo.
Absolutely stunning ! - it looks as good as the day it was made. What a great addition to a collection
Exceptional? That's a weak word! Congratulations, Patrick. This is the type of lamp that you only find once in a lifetime
What an amazing find. A great story too. The climate and weather conditions in Avignon had certainly helped to preserve it.
Thank you all for your comments and your interest. M.N.Y., Yes, in my region the winters are cold and humid, that's why I protected and packaged this lantern as best as possible. I plan to build a wooden box for long term storage with all the elements. Despite everything, I wonder about the packaging numbers. the lantern does have a steel tank. the generator is entirely made of brass as is the dip tube in the tank. The NRV valve is made of “Primus” type brass. The pump handle is made of aluminum. Analysis of packaging numbers. The lantern: 14 3 The reflector: 20 14 Are we sure that this corresponds to a time benchmark in production? I have read the various topics on these lanterns with the serial number starting with 2. The number 14 always comes back in the numbers. Observe carefully the number 14 3 on the lantern cardboard number 3 and shifted downwards as if two stamps had been used. If anyone has any information with my thanks I invite you to develop.
Very nice find, congratulations. As for box numbers: the carton manufacturers would also keep track of box sizes, mould use to stamp and production codes or even for which client the boxes are.
2014 is the order number for the shade.This shade was certainly intended for the Argentinian Petromax dealer FANAL in Buenos Aires. In my opinion ,143 clearly means January 1943.On my 2826 you can read 243 =February 1943. The glass cyllinder has 942 printed on it,which in my opinion means September 1942.
WimVe, Thank you for your reflections and your enthusiasm. Hello Reinhard, Thank you for all your valuable responses. The reflector reference corresponds to your document. The packaging bears the words: “FANAL productos de qualidad” then behind “Pétromax”. I had carefully unpacked the reflector for photos with the lantern and then repacked it for storage. Do you have a date on your document? All articles contain No. 2. Regards, Titoo.
Hi Titoo, in my archive I could find the following information for you (an all others ) This is a part of a leaflet from Levy Fils, Basel, dated 1938. However, this parts list, which is also in my archive, could be much more interesting for you. It is from 1942 and partially replaces the parts list from 1941. Greetings Jörg
The order number of the reflector No 2014 always remained the same.Before the war and after the war and even Geniol still had the same order number 2014.
Yörg and Reinhard, Thank you again for this valuable information. Your contribution with period documents brings a lot of clarity. At the time, did the Pétromax factory in Berlin have its own enamelling workshops ? Regards, Titoo.
Hi Titoo, yes, Graetz Werke had its own enameling plant on the premises in Berlin. Parts were also galvanized and painted at the factory. In the chronicle 'Erich & Graetz AG 1866 - 1941' I found a reference to this. found a reference to this. Regards Jörg
The Petromax 2826 was the first "826" with the pump pointing diagonally backwards.On the older ones ,the pump points more to the left side. So if you have a nickel-plated 826 marked E&G in front of you and don't know whether the Petromax was made pre-war or post-war,then please look at the position and orientation of the pump pre-war. post-war
