I just picked one of these up. I can't find one in the catalogue or gallery sections. Are these late 40's like the Storm Lamps with the same tank? What's the model number please? Thanks
Yes late 1940s to maybe 1950 ish. Model numbers are tall TL106 and short TL136. Confusing because Tilley used these model numbers for four quite distinctly different table lamps. ::Neil::
Or TL116 when fitted with a glass globe (as opposed to the glass shade) so that a fabric or parchment shade could be fitted as per the owner's preference...
OK Ok I was going for the short and simple answer. Here is the long version with all the Pork Pie lamp models:- TL106 Type 1 tank, long, opal shade, no globe. Early models had a painted gold tank with polished stem and skirt. TL106/IP As above, but with 182 globe and upper & lower insect shields. TL116 Type 1 tank, long, 182 globe, no shade. Gold paint with black bands. (coll’n: 2nd polished...not correct for this model) TL116/IP As above, with insect shields. TL136 Type 1 tank, short, opal shade, no globe. TL136/IP As above, with 182 globe & upper & lower insect shields. TL146 Type 1 tank, short, 182 globe, no shade. TL146/IP As above, with insect shields. In that list a type 1 tank is the Pork Pie type ::Neil::
So would my understanding be correct that these lamps are TL 106/IP's? Both lamps have globes, insectscreens upper and lower and shades although only one has the original shade as you can see. Regards Ian
Well, as you have 'em set up, with shades and globes, they're neither 106IPs or 116IPs - or maybe both (almost!) Essentially, the TL106 and TL116 were the same lamp. It was just the ancillaries Tilley put on them that differentiated the model. So:- The lamp fitted with a glass shade (and no globe) is a TL106 The lamp fitted with a globe (and no glass shade) is a TL116. When fitted with the insect shields, add IP to the model designation. The same goes for the 136 and 146 models. So, for your lamps, you can have them set up as:- TL106 by fitting the glass shades and removing the globes and insect screens; TL106IP by fitting the insect screens to the TL106 above; TL116 by fitting the globes and removing the glass shades and insect screens; TL116IP by fitting the insect screens to the TL116 above. To be correct, you will need to add some sort of aftermarket fabric or parchment shades to your lamps when in TL116 or TL116IP mode. That will not only make them look better, but the light from the mantle will be softened and therefore the lamps will be much more useable. In this set up, the glass globe acts as a heat shield to protect the shade. To be honest, I'm not sure where the two black paint bands often seen on UK versions of these fit into the scheme of things. Your lamps don't have them...
The black paint bands are missing because both lamps have been repainted at some stage. Both look damned good though. These were providing the only everyday lighting to a house in the back blocks of Wellington, New Zealand, until the mid 1980's. I was very lucky to be given both at no cost. They look an absolute treat when lit.
Just thinking about the repainting.. Seems to me as long as it is done well it really doesn't matter. Otherwise they would all end up in the local tip as many non collectors would consider them unsightly and throw them out. What are everyone elses thoughts?? Regards Ian
I agree absolutely - anything (short of electrocution!) to keep them in use. Your repaint looks excellent, too - great stuff! I don't know either how or why Tilley applied the black paint bands. I'd find them very difficult to replicate without some sort of turntable and a boatload of practice beforehand. Having said that, I wouldn't be at all surprised if someone here hadn't managed to do it...
I am not aware that these lamps were ever offered with a parchmet type shade. The shade refered to was always the opal globe type. The only reason there was a 182 globe as well as an opal shade with the IP types was because you can't insect protect without the 182 in place so if you wanted an opal shade and insect protection the 182 had to be included. In the UK these were not sold with insect protectors so you either got the globe or shade. You can get pedantic with numbers here but in simple terms there are just two lanterns 106 and 136. Which brings me back to the simple answer I gave ealier. ::Neil::
Tilley did offer a range of shades of their own or the customer was able to buy one from another source - hence my use of the term 'aftermarket'. I wouldn't have thought anyone would choose to use the clear glass globe alone. Without a translucent shade, the light from the mantle is very harsh and isn't suited to indoor lighting because the glare strains the eyes, causes deep shadows and doesn't illuminate the whole room. Add a translucent shade and the whole room is bathed in useable light - lovely! A good point, though, about the need for the globe so that the lower insect screen had something to seal against - one I'd overlooked, of course, seeing things solely from a UK perspective where insect protection wasn't the norm. The table lamps shown would be, then, TL106IPs. Being pedantic was not my intention at all, Neil - I was just trying to be clear:- And as you say, the 106 and 136 were essentially still the same lamp, differing only in the length of the column...
