The Collection

(well, some of the collection!)

Just wanted to share some of this oil fuelled lighting history.
I make a bit of a guess at most of it (it's mainly forgotton, unrecorded and deemed fairly unremarkable), so if you can correct any error or add some detail, I'll be very pleased, thank you.

My hobby is focused on collecting Hot Blast Lanterns;

The green one on the left is very much a piece of English history, made by George H Elt Ltd at the Eltex Works, Worcester (brass label).
The company trading under the Eltex name now, seems to have no knowledge of making these lanterns, however they still make paraffin heaters.
This handsome lantern also carries markings "Gael Brooder Lamp" and uses a Sherwoods 1" burner. It stands 16 1/2" high, then add another 4" for the bail (handle).

This one is French and marked "L'INDISPENSABLE E.Q.L.A". The globe (glass) has the symbol of the cockerel on it (very French) and the letter L.D., probably the maker. I guess it's about 100 years old.


That brings me to another point, these lanterns were used mainly outdoors which meant that relatively few survive.

My view on collecting is that they should be renovated to a working condition. Other collectors keep them 'as found', or restore to 'as new' condition. I'll try to stay true to the original, but it's more important to me that the lantern works, so if I have to patch holes in it with a piece of copper, then so be it!

This one is a little more colourful, it is marked "Sandstar" and I suspect this may have been used on the railways around 1910 - 1920, but again, history not readily available.

The red globe is typically used when a warning light is needed (there may be other uses, I wouldn't know about that!).

It's a large lantern. Without the bail (wire handle) it stands 21" high.

The wire guard is a replacement as the original was missing, but it looks right now and of course, works!

Ah yes, there is such a thing as Cold Blast.

There are 3 main types of oil lamp / lantern;

Dead Flame.......... ................ ........... ............
Hot Blast
Cold Blast



















Dead Flame - the flame is shielded from wind and draghts but burns in still air (the square lamp). This one is a Railway lamp, probably 50's, or even 60's. It is marked "BR (S)".

Hot Blast - Some of the exhaust gas is recirculated to feed back in and mix with fresh air to feed the flame, providing a steady, forced draught (the green one). This gives a brighter flame than a Dead Flame. This one is marked on the lantern body "British made Cruiser 1457" and "Sherwoods Birmingham British Make". It uses a Sherwoods 5/8" burner.

Cold Blast - The exhaust gas is kept seperate and let out the top. Fresh cold air is drawn down the tubes providing a steady draught to the flame (the silver one). Because it's fresh air it burns brighter than a Hot Blast lantern. This example is marked "BEE No.75". Made in Germany by BAT Fledermouse. These were made up until 1990.

Both hot blast and cold blast are known as Tubular lanterns. The tubes are structural and also used to control the air flow to the flame.

Tubular lanterns were invented around 1868 and are still made today! Hot Blast are cheaper to make, because they are less complicated.

A lovely example of an American Dietz lantern. It dates from around 1914. A painstaking renovation but well worth it.

It is the Victor, rated at 10 candle power and should burn for 20 hours (both untested as yet!).
Also known as the Side Lift Tubular Lantern.

LAMP or LANTERN?

I have adopted what I understand is the English convention, namely what you see on the left is a Lantern, as light is provided through 360 degrees.

A Lamp provides directional light through one or more lenses or windows.

Other definitions are used in other parts of the world, just to confuse things!

The fuel. Although these are known as oil lamps / lanterns, they burn only PARAFFIN (known as Kerosene in the USA). Other liquids must not be put into them.