Lucky find, John! And as Trevor said, a pleasing shape. Hopefully complemented by your wallet having retained its pleasing shape too
David He may be referring to the doubt and torment the owner will go through trying to resist lighting it. Tony
For me, there'd be no doubt or torment whatsoever. The main value (in the widest sense) of that lantern is in it being unlit. These were made in their thousands and the vast majority, probably 99.9%, will have been lit so this is a rare survivor. To me, lighting it makes no sense at all...
To me it would depend on your intentions for the lamp other than lighting or not lighting it. If it was a lamp I had no intentions of keeping it would make sense to keep it pristine to allow me to get the best $'s for it that I could. If it was a lamp I had always wanted and intended to keep it, I would light it without doubt. Not only do I like collecting lamps but I like using them, seeing them in all their glory. I tend to only have one or two of each model of a particular lamp as I can't see the sense in committing lamps to the attic graveyard.
Well, at the risk of sounding a little 'grand', I would say that we are merely custodians of these lamps and lanterns for future generations. I'll stop there in case anything else I say might be misconstrued... 8)
I too stopped, in my previous post, in case I sounded a little grand David. I totally agree that were are custodians - in the sense that neither of us wants to see lamps destroyed - thrown away by future generations. I'll say now what I stopped short of saying previously. I wish to state this is my opinion and whomever has a different one, they are entitled to it. I don't for a minute think my own way of dealing with lamps is in anyway superior to anyone else - it's just my way. I like to clean my lamps - yes, I know that is a big surprise Some say I over do it but I do it, how I do, because I feel it brings the lamps back to a bit of their former glory. I don't just try to make them shiny though. I try my best to get them into the best working shape they can be and use them. I don't just watch the brass go dull, I use them but keep them clean. I suspect a lot of lamps, if left as found, will be headed for the nearest bin once I'm not here to appreciate them. The younger generations may well consider them junk. I also suspect that a clean working lamp, has far more chance of survival of the bin fate, than one that has 80 years of of grime and looks like it's on it's last legs. That's my way of being a custodian of the lamps. However anyone else sees fit to do it, that's fine with me. As far as I'm concerned your own way is the right way.
That being true (and I think it is), it follows that an unlit lamp still in its original packing and box would stand the ultimate chance of survival...
Here is my thought on things. I see my lamps as pretty old things that gave my parents, grandparents and their parents light and heat when electricity wasnt around. They are a part of my history and deserve better then to slowly rust away in some barn. I will try to save as many i can . The only lamp i have that is totaly unlit, an optimus 930, i intend to remain that way, untill needed. Just because i dont realy need to light it.. yet. I however have a underlaying thought about my lamps, and that is what got me going in the first place. That is, when (yes when, not if) the electrical system goes to hell, longer than your ordinary blackout, i will have somthing to keep me, my family and perhaps the neibors somewhat warm and providing light. This is also why i strive to have all my lamps in operational condition. Thats my thoughts on things
I think I may well take David's advice and not light it. I know I said they were made to be lit, but this is pristine and nice to see just as it is. Does anybody have any idea of its age? I am guessing possibly 1960's based on the hood, but I stand to be corrected.
The same goes for my unfired Aida Express Record 1500 in its box. Nice and shiny and only used when the world goes to hell.
I've had unlit items in my possession. I didn't have the heart to light them for the first time. So I sold them for very good prices and bought lit versions of the same items. I can then enjoy them as they were made to be enjoyed without the guilt or torment.
