Petromax Modelo No 833 Marca Registrada Industria Argentina Found in Italy Control knobs in light blue and the hood cap in white enamel like the Argentine national flag. The 833 is made of brass and nickel-plated .The pressure vessel and the inner casing are reminiscent of German pre-war models 826/523. With original PX jet and the Petrolux glass cylinder is made in Argentina. The 833 has no foot valve and no regulating screw in the J-tube.This 833 lights up perfectly.
Thank you gentlemen for your attention. This Argentine PX 833 has no date markings. The reinforced vaporizer top and the 500 jet indicate that the Argentine Petromax No 833 is a 500cp lamp.
This Argentine Px833 share some features of both the earlier pre-War and post-War Petromax from Germany. Althought almost similar in overall appearance, it is not 100% identical to the earlier pre-War units from the Treptow, Berlin factories. The inner hood/J-tube/burner support is different although there are two screws on the top cap. The 'fin' on the Preston loop vaporizer is extra large and located outside-facing. The outer hood and vent seems a bit taller than the 1930s German Petromax. The oblong slots on the hood appear to be slightly longer and more similar to post War units made in the Altena factory. The pricker control wheel and pump knobs are basically post-War style. I wonder if the blue pigment in the plastic would darken like those from Germany. I figure this Argentine Petromax was made after the War. It was reputed that a lot of Germans and probably some members from the Graetz family had migrated to Argentina to restart new lives during or after the fall of the Third Reich.
@MYN Yes,you see that correctly.From 1946 to 1950 , many high-ranking war criminals fled across the Rat Line to Argentina.I don't know whether they also helped develop the pressure lamp industry.
I don't think this lantern has anything to do with Germans who fled to Argentina after the war. Even before the war, there was an importer who imported Petromax lanterns and then 'further developed' them. Here in Germany we have a homepage on which not only Argentinian lanterns but also those with the Kerolux mark are presented. I have translated the main text. Greetings Jörg Petromax 826 from Argentina / Argentinien "There was a commercial agency in the centre of Buenos Aires. Because of the much poorer electrification, Petromax was an important thing, similar to India today. The name became the programme. All lamps are called Petromax, whether it is one or not. Distribution was organised via Buenos Aires. Peru, Bolivia, Chile etc. Some lamps were imported, others were manufactured here. Petromax Baby, for example, was imported. The business started here around 1935. The 826 was the beginning. It was manufactured with various modifications until 1950. Then it became the 833 and these lamps were no longer bright nickel-plated but chrome-plated. After 1965, the business was discontinued and the know-how went to the Aurora company, but this is no longer Petromax quality. They are also beautiful lamps."
Thank you for the information, @Jörg Wekenmann Were those Argentine-made Petromax manufactured in licence under the Graetz company? Or were the factories directly under Graetz management?
Hi Myn, I can't tell you that, but I will be happy to ask Torsten Scherning about it. I've known him for many years. Perhaps this company is identical to the one that made the Bulldog lamps? You can read on both plates: Industria Argentinia Greetings Jörg
The company Fanal S.A. made Petromax in Argentina under license. Fanal took over the commercial business of Petromax after the WWII and had nothing to do with post war German inmigrants. The company already sold E&G products and they had their own brand for gas and kerosene appliances: Simplex. They made 821, 822, 826 and 833. I don't know if there were other models. As many other industrial companies, they stop the production during the last military government (around 19777-78) who opened the economy and local production was not competitive. Not sure if Aurora (is still Just a brand) made their own lanterns with the equipment or if they setted up new ones. There were also some other Petromax clones made in Argentina: you have to look at them on Neil's PLC. There is no much info on these companies. But for sure they didn't make Bull Dogo because they are very different.
I failed into insert some images of a Fanal catalog. So, here is the link to the seller's publication. https://articulo.mercadolibre.com.a...cking_id=998529a1-dcec-4c89-9977-cc7b1880804b
@Juan Thank you for sharing this Fanal catalogue from 1958 Now it is clear that the No 833 is a 500 cp lamp ! Petromax lanterns are made entirely of brass and finely nickel-plated to a shine .The upper part is chrome-plated for greater durability. @ Jörg and Torsten : The No 833 is nickel-plated.
Both models 826 and 833 are included in the catalog from 1958 ,which means they were manufactured at the same time . At least in 1958.
Thank you very much for the info @Jörg Wekenmann @Juan @Reinhard Yes, I've also taken a look on the Kerolux and Bulldog. These are very nice ones too. The history and provenance of the Argentinian Petromax had not so much been discussed here. Unlike the EFAR/Racek-Petromax in India, which were entirely imported and made in Germany, the Argentine Petromax was actually made in South America. Technically, would the units made by Fanal be considered clones or genuine Petromax(s) ?
Hi Myn, I spoke to Torsten and he told me that contact with L. Krauss has unfortunately been completely broken off. So we will no longer receive any further information. Greetings Jörg
Kerolux Is the brand used by Hugo Schneider to sell their lamps in Argentina but the lanterns were made in Germany
No, I haven't seen this before, until now. I only saw hasag lanterns and lamps here under the Kerolux brand. I own a Kerolux hanging lamps which is similar to some Polar lamp. I also have a lantern but I can't remember exactly model. For sure if this model 35 is similar to an optimus lamp, I cannot say anything about this evidence. New to me. Thank you
L. D. Meyer y Cía has the same address in Buenos Aires than the Petromax distributor before WWII: Paseo Colón 301 and 311 is the same address.
A lot of these Petromax and other brands/rebatched lanterns can only be found in Argentina and other parts of South America. I'd suppose, like in India, most had remained in their countries of origin during their 'heydays' and even at present.
I found a document of Argentine jurisprudence from 1936 with evidence of until 1934 LD Meyer where the seller of Petromax in Argentina but from 1935 onwards Fanal got the exclusive distribution from Erich & Graetz
This lamp is very interesting with an "old school" construction. You have conducted a perfect restoration. Interesting informations. Regards, Titoo.
