This is a strange one. I have never seen a lantern with so much writing on it. Made for Vacuum oil in the USA and named Sunflower. I am sure they would have included the name of the Vacuum Oil CEOs grandmothers cook if there had been room. Has to be from before 1932 as I understand Vacuum oil as a company ceased to exist at that time and became Esso or something similar. A 300 cp kerosene lantern with alcohol pre heat only. Running here with a Coleman 21A Gold top mantle but I suspect it could do with a bigger mantle to reach full power.
The warning, not to use gasoline (benzin)in living rooms, and the missing HASAG embossed logo let me think its a product of MEWA. Using the old HASAG machines.
Neil, that's a very nice find which would clearly fit in my collection, too . Wim, since it is not Socony Vacuum Oil but only Vacuum Oil it should be clearly from around or even before 1930, because this was the time when the oil company's name changed. And I haven't seen the warning plate on post-war lanterns yet. I saw these "Sunflowers" a few times before and they all do have some characteristics that were used only before WW2: The pump rod including its detent, the filler cap with the small diameter and the coarse thread. On some of these lanterns with steel bottom you can find a date stamp. My 51A's are from 1929 and 1931, according to the stamp. However, this one seems to be fitted with a Ditmar vaporizer & jet (or is it one of the -R versions with preston loop which I've never seen before...). BR, Martin K.
I initially had a hard time believeing this one was as old as 1930 ish because it is in such nice condition but there is no doubt from the company name that it has to be that old. Fantastic lantern that hangs in my hallway with a few other little gems from the 1920s. ::Neil::
