Here is my Collins Bros "Radiant". This is a Kerosene lantern. It is similar to the other "Radiant" lanterns listed here on CPL, but has a few differences (see discussion here). The major differences are the hood (vent) and the tank. Collins Bros Radiant lanterns have quite a number of variations (pump parts, spirit cup, control wheel) which indicate that they were most likely put together with whatever could be sourced or manufactured at the time (?early 1940s). Neil McRae has compiled the latest information on the Collins Bros. "Radiant" in his "Pressure Lamp Catalogue" (with much input from Matt Purtell). This information shows a direct link between Australian Gloria pressure lamp manufacture and the Collins Bros Radiant. McRae writes that the Collins Bros. "Radiant" and "Radiant Star" were "...the last product made by Gloria". Here it is with the bail from a Gloria lantern. The control wheel looks like a radio wheel. Note the pricker rod and pricker - quite a fine piece of engineering. The vapouriser (generator) is made of heavy brass tube. The pump is a 'Tilley-like' pump. The spirit cup has been pressed from a Gloria "Matador" electric lighting system name plate (see here). Here it is up and running. As it came. This is an advertisement for a Collins Bros. "Radiant" lantern from the Pacific Island Monthly (Sydney, Australia), 17 November 1944. Note that as far as I am aware, none of the Collins Bros lanterns found, have the domed collar. This advertisement, from the same magazine on 18 September 1944 shows the lantern with the "Radiant" label and the table lamp with the "Radiant Star" label. This is a very fine little lantern (and quite noisy). Another part of the Australian Gloria/Collins Bros story. Cheers Tony @Mackburner @Anthony @Lamp_Doctor @Akeepsake @Graham P @Jones the lamp
Comment on my own post above: The more I look at the advertisements in the Pacific Island Monthly of the Collins Bros table lamp, the less I'm convinced it says "Radiant Star". It could just be "Radiant" - but the label illustrated on the lamp is different to the label on the lantern. Tony
Nice fettle mate ! These lanterns play a great part in our Aussie history and also mark an end of an era !
Tom I’ve summarised a great deal of other people’s information, especially relying on Neil’s Pressure Lamp Catalogue (link above). Neil McRae, Collin Mills, Matt Purtell, Anthony, Bob, Graham, Andrew, and others whom I have probably missed, have all contributed to the Collins Bros/Gloria saga. I’ve contributed a small part and am looking at a few bits and pieces now, but that’s on the back of a lot of other people’s information or leads. It’s been interesting working through my Gloria pile and there’s more to come. Cheers Tony @LanternTom
This research game can be difficult and so very often a second look at the evidence can uncover interesting and useful "Facts". I do this a lot with info I receive and want to use in the PLC. I may not always agree with any conclusions, and Matt can certainly testify to that, but by God I massively respect the research. ::Neil::
@Tony Press Well fettled and well documented. I enjoyed reading about the Radiant lamp. Looking forward to your next fettle. Cheers Pete
Thanks to Vic Tipman I have an original Collins Bros glass on this lantern. It’s cracked, but I don’t mind! Cheers Tony
The Collins Bros globe I fitted to this lantern (ex Vic Tipman) is: L: ~113mm OD: ~102mm ID: ~97mm Cheers Tony
