I collect wick fed tubular lanterns rather than pressure lamps but I hope you won’t hold that against me. I put them to ise use in the camps we put on in the Steam Tent Co-operative and transporting them all is a logistical exercise in itself. For the most part I use wooden crates because these can be repurposed as camp furnishings in much the same way as polar explorers used such crates and boxes to build shelves, tables, seating and work spaces in the expedition huts. Over the years I have settled upon a simple method for decorating these crates that I think might of interest some members here. Needing a new box to pack some recent acquisitions into, I built a sturdy crate from a few offcuts of plywood that I had lying around. I decided to dedicate this one to the makers of some of my favourite lanterns, Chalwyn. The designs were reconstructed from various sources on the computer and then printed, in reverse, on my laser printer. ( Photocopies would also work with this technique. ) Taped to the surface, print side down, they are then rubbed over with a hot iron which transfers some of the print toner to the wooden surface. The density of the transfer is variable with the quality of the wood but generally looks like faded stencil work. I then added a little colour with dilute acrylic paint before rubbing it back with sandpaper. The whole box was then given a rough coat of wood stain to age it a bit and here you see the result drying in the sun.
Beautiful work and thanks for posting. No, not I … I saw this at this year’s CCS/CPL Newark gathering, so someone was thinking as you did. … and incorporated the ‘packing crate’ construction of their accommodation in camp. Just realised Wayland, that’s you and your accommodation of course! John
Yes that is me John. Nice pair of Vestas there. Steve and myself are founding members of the Steam Tent Co-operative and we very much enjoyed Newark this year.
Thank you, it’s not a new idea but it is useful. Thank you. I kept stumbling across the site while looking for information about tubular lanterns so thought it was about time I joined.
you should setup a vintage display at the Ashover vintage festival of light, people would love to see your vintage displays plus there's lamp collectors too displaying their collections
I am looking at it but it’s a matter of whether I can get someone else to go in with me. Don’t fancy having a stall that I cannot step away from to look around.
You may be able to ask an organizer for some rope to put around your exhibit to stop the public from getting too close, i display my lamps on the stationary engine line which have a rope for public safety
I have plenty of rope for barriers but experience has taught me that they are not much of a deterrent if there is no one on the pitch. Had things stolen that way in the past.
