This is another "SEQR" that I got recently (not Ebay) and I am posting it to show many minor differences between this one and one I have had for several years. My first one did not come with a hood, vapouriser or burner. I assumed the tube was slightly bent inwards but it appears not. These lamps work well with a Coleman 21 mantle but even better with a bigger one. It came with the tassels, not original perhaps but I like them and I'm keeping them.
Very cool! being new to lanterns other than "camping" lanterns, I am amazed by what was made, especially the sconces. We had wick lamps and an Aladdin as a kid, but the only pressure lamps we had were Coleman lanterns. I had never seen how complete the lighting options were. If electricity did not take over when it did who knows what we would have seen, not just in lighting. Thanks for the pics. Ivan
It never ceases to amaze me how many variations there can be of a short lived lamp. When I say short lived, I think perhaps 4 maybe 5 years at tops. 1920 - 1923/4 These lamps are an enigma. Despite being short lived, there are quite a few of them that have survived. That may mean that there were a lot of them manufactured in that small time frame or perhaps it is the style of the lamp that helped them survive the scrap heap. Perhaps those that found themselves an owner of one of these lamps were reluctant to toss them out. I *think* these lamps were more likely manufactured in bulk for commercial purposes (railways etc,) rather than being a lamp sold through retailers. So why the variations? One would think it would be much more profitable for a factory to simply use one style of foot, valve wheel, chimney, fuel cap, etc, rather than manufacture all different kinds. I *think* the answer is that the Akron Light Company engaged a number of 3rd party manufacturers to supply them with parts/components. I believe it was reasonably common practice to have more than one factory supply you with parts. The reasons being Union unrest (strikes), accidents in factories (factories being burnt down) and factories that had interrupted supplies of raw materials. So, by engaging a number of factories to supply you with parts/components of lamps you minimised the risk of your own assembly plant being held up due to lack of parts/components. If one factory went on strike, another could still supply you. If one factory burnt down, you still had another factory that could supply you. It was those parts/component manufacturers that were variant of each other. I think it is highly probable, from what I have seen in research, that the Akron Light Company manufactured the founts and probably the reflector. One would think the chimneys would be within their capabilities too but you do see quite the variant of them. I then believe the Akron Light Company assembled the lamps from the components they manufactured and obviously from the components the 3rd party manufacturers supplied. Having said all the above, I may well be totally wrong. @Anthony My lamp has a fibre wheel. I have contemplated whether or not the original wheel was replaced by this fibre wheel at some time. I simply don't know. My 'chimney' is also different to your one. Mine, the top being of brass, has a steel wire mesh rather than the mica shade. Anthony, you may recognise the background of the photos.
@Matty yours looks the same as Bobs with the fibre wheel and the chimney. And I did recognise the background.
Thanks Anthony. Some of the changes may well have been progressional, as in design up grades from one year to another. I've tried to think of a situation where one of these lamps would have been in where mesh was better used than mica. I can't think of one. Perhaps the mesh was used if the lamp was in a train rather than being on a platform or office. It may have been felt the mesh would be sturdier than mica on a rollicking train ride. I dunno really, I'm just making stuff up.
Anthony, I noticed this foot/air tube holder on a lamp that sold on ebay. It resembles yours but to my eye is different. This lamp had your chimney but with wire mesh as opposed to your mica. I think your lamp is likely to be later than mine and Bob's. What do you think?
I've had a conversation, away from the forum, in regards to the lamps and the name Akron Light Company. It was put to me that the general concession is that it was felt that the Akron Light Company was probably the retailer/wholesaler of the lamps. I believe that the Akron Light Company were the manufacturers of these lamps and the lamps were manufactured in Melbourne, Australia. I will show 1 example each of why I believe Akron Light Company were the manufacturers of the lamps and the lamps were manufactured in Australia. If you read this and don't believe in newspaper advertising, please, just let sleeping dogs lie or provide evidence the ads are incorrect. 1921 & 1925.
Matt The first ad certainly implies production so I think you are probably right here. The lamps are unique and I can't even begin to suggest who else might have made them. ::Neil::
Neil, Yes, I agree the ad implies production. The second ad, states the lamps are made in Australia. Now, it doesn't show one of these lamps but we can be sure that they aren't talking about The Akron Lamp Company, of America. I therefore strongly suspect it is the Akron Light Company lamps they are flogging. AKA, SEQR The date of the ad and the evidence of the first ad all tie in and that makes it more than reasonable to believe, The Akron Light Company, did indeed manufacture these lamps in Melbourne.
Alex, there is not a lot of information on these to date. There are a few more to look at here. Are you going to post what you got ??
Sorry for taking so long to respond. I didn't get a notification that you responded to my comment. Hopefully the pictures upload
@Alex The hood/vent on your SEQR looks like it’s from a Alsdorf or Enterprise lamp. Where did you get the lamp from? Tony
