This is my restored (?) Tilley PL55 from, I believe the mid 1930's. It has a brass control knob. It was supposed to have that "lighter" on it but I screwed, the guy I bought it from removed it because someone told him it didn't belong on the lantern! After a lot of screaming and yelling he lowered the price and some postage, too. It came from across the pond. You just can't find them here.
@BigStevie Thanks, I looked for years before I found it. I was kind of surprised by the price (too, low) so I asked one of our experts here about it. He said in so many words, "jump on it!", and I did, and as they say the rest is history!
That's a fine example! There are top reflectors which match that hood and the link below shows my example. 1930s PL55 & reflector.
@george This is a very nice example and wow, that hood is in very good condition. Enjoy. Cheers Pete P.S. The mantle needs fixing mate ......
@AussiePete Pete, that's my fault. Yes, mantel is falling off, I set it down on the bench too hard and jarred it loose!
Very nice George. Wish I’d hung on to mine now instead of selling it on but it didn’t look as good as that.
I now have 5 PL53s in the collection, as I just love them. The hoods ( enamelled, brass or chromed brass) have slightly different shapes. I’ll take a few shots later. For example the curved top is not exactly identical and the ribs on the cylindrical body are of different thickness. Is there any way to date hoods based on these subtle differences?
Forgot to mention. That PL55 is gorgeous by the way. Shame about the pre-heater being taken off. I would try to re- instate it with an original unit if I were you!
Thanks to all for the warm comments! @Alex74 Believe me, I have been on the hunt for one of those heaters for sometime now. They are hard to find. I have three PL53's, one PL52, and one PL55 right now. They are just one fine lantern. As I mentioned before this is the only lantern my wife will let me light in the house! Gotta love'm!
@Jean J I believe so since it was original and the lantern dated to the 1930's. It was a pity it wasn't left on the lantern. I think the seller realized he could get quite a bit for both the lantern and the preheater even if he seperated them. I raised a little hell and he dropped price. Oh well, it's water over the dam now...
@Alex74 It was in very nice condition when I got it but I did polish it awhile ago with Mothers Mag Wheel polish. I think the seller did clean it a little, too.
That is a lovely lamp, nice to see one in such good condition. I hope it's one of your favourites, I keep mine next to my bed and enjoy waking up to them In the morning.
@James K You do too, so do I. I keep one of my favourites, a Coleman 118 Slant Table lamp, in my bedroom and not only do I see it every morning, I light it on special occasions. It’s definitely one of my favourites. Then again, I seem to have a lot of favourites. Here is my favourite PL53. Enjoy Cheers Pete
Lovely lamp Pete. I now leave the best PL53s in the display cabinet most of the time, and generally only light one of them, alongside the refurbed Vapalux 300x. Tonight, lighting up the barbecue area...
@Alex74 She sure is pumping out the light and the 300X appears to be a tad brighter, both lanterns are doing well, real dark killers. Now, that BBQ, it looks so good. I hope you have a suitable beverage. Cheers Pete
Kebabs and lanterns, what is there not to like????? Hope you had a good evening, it certainly looks like it has the makings of a outdoor cracker
My bedroom lamp, although not quite by my bedside, is a Nulite 110M with the blue pretzel shade. I admire it every time I open the curtains.
