Over the years the world has seen all kinds of lighting from candles and whale oil lamps of ancient times to the modern light fixture. Collecting kerosene lamps has become a popular hobby for many. Perhaps it's that unforgettable beauty that captures the heart of so many.
Before 1850 the lighting that was available was very inefficient. Since 3000 BC candles have been a staple lighting source. Then came kerosene a refined liquid fuel. Lamp makers around the world were quick to provide full lines of lamps that could utilize this new fuel source.
Not only did they come up with lamps that were functional, they began designing lamps that were truly decadent and so elegant. Many of these lamps were works of art. What's really great is that many of these lamps have survived. A testament to their durability and quality.
Kerosene didn't last too long replaced first by gas lamps in the larger cities and then by electricity in the early 1900s. In fact kerosene lighting had the shortest run in history.
That makes these lamps all that much more collectable because they were produced for such a short period of time. A large portion of these lamps were made during the Victorian era. Not only were they made in all styles and sizes they were also made from all kinds of materials from the most utilitarian to the most Royale.
One very popular style of light was made for maritime applications and it was called a Gimbal lamp. It had a counter weight so it didn't matter how much of a heel the vessel had the lamp would remain upright. A very useful invention that's still popular today.
The Aladdin lamp was introduced in 1909 in the US. These lamps used a round wick to provide an even, non flickering flame, which made them rare. The Aladdin lamp was so good that one lamp was equivalent to a 60 watt bulb. And Aladdin really got attention when it offered a thousand dollars to anyone who could come up with a better system that what they had designed.
Lamps that are properly built have a wonderful soft glow that is very appealing and many collectors are quick to use their collections during get togethers with friends and family. After all shouldn't something so lovely be shared?
These lamps are very easy to use. You fill the bowl 2/3 full of kerosene, then the wick becomes saturated and holds the fuel. You light the wick and replace the chimney and wella you have light.
In Europe the kosmos burners were popular. They used the Argand process. This is a method where a flat wick is soaked in the fuel then rolled into a round wick as it moved up the body of the burner. The result was an even flame that gave of 12 times more light with no flicker.
Kerosene lamps make a great addition to any room's décor and they are great fun to collect so why not do a little of both?
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