I have been fettling a very interesting Australian Aladdin pressure lantern back to life (it is marked "PWD" = Tasmanian Government Public Works Department)... But the most interesting thing is that the cap on the hood is not black enamel - it's dark blue; and the lower portion of the hood is dark grey (not black) . I tried to get the photo to reflect the real colours - but not very well. Note that the lower portion is a different shade (and in real life neither are black) : Cheers Tony
How obvious is it in real life? Would it be easy to overlook if another one turned up (or there was already one in a collection). I'm pretty sure I have a lamp (can't remember which off hand) that has PWD on the tank and I'm fairly sure it didn't come from Tasmania. I think it must have been a common abbreviation in most states.
Nils It wasn't obvious until I had it in my hands (but before cleaning). But it is distinctive once you look. I'll double check to see when PWD was used in Tasmania - it was bought here by a local at a Government disposal auction many years ago. Cheers Tony
Tasmania had two PWDs. The state's Public Works Department existed from the first half of the 1800s until somewhere around the 1980s. The City of Hobart also has a Public Works Department, but I haven't nailed the dates. I think this lamp is from the state rather than the city. Cheers Tony
I've checked and the one I have with PWD is a Handi. That would tend to indicate it is the Queensland Public Works Department.
The old man worked for Sunderland PWD towards the end of his working life. He called it the 'Polly-Wolly Doodle' When I asked him why, he said it was because 'we polly-wolly doodle all the day, all the day, polly-wolly doodle all the day'. Then he complained about the cost of the Council Tax, the silly old sod! Someone remind me what song that was... Edit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ge-cNfosrMU
...Hi Tony ! You could maybe try putting a Yellow background instead of White?...... ...It should accentuate the 'Blue' in the hood as it's the complimentary colour ?.... You ever had that dark grey sky in that super view of yours on the verandah there?....Makes the Eucalypts stand out vivid Green ?
Thanks, Kerry! ... And I will get the camera out And shoot some pics against different backgrounds. Cheers Tony
Interesting find Tony ! Is ten tank painted to match? My A1 Has N.S.W.G.R (a railway lamp)stamped at the bottom of the tank and was originally black but has worn off.The hood is a black/Gray colour. Yours looks in very nice shape. A very nice lamp ! Wi look forward to pics when it's done.
