To all my new found friends on the forum. I scour auction sites to obtain a lantern my budget can afford. I have found that the sites "catagorize" lanterns under a few descriptions such as "pressure lantern or lamp", "vintage" of same, and so on. In my searches, I have found sellers put lanterns in the wrong category. I have a list of every manufacturer I have found. Being rather new to the forum, I was overzealous at first, contributing knowledge I had gained on my own. I am was not familiar with how much is too much for a working lantern. I do not buy any lanterns with steel fonts due to rust issues. I have a high regard for older lanterns that were all brass. A little elbow grease brings these back to the most beautiful examples of an age when things were built to last, and rebuilt. Recently, while on the "bay" I was going through my list hoping a seller would have put a gem in the wrong catagory. Every 2 days or so, I go through the list, from Aida to whatever. I dont have my list in front of me. 3 days ago, as I was going through my search, I found a vendor, a lantern shop in Pennsylvania. Im sure this vendor deals with the Amish. The Amish dont believe in modern technonogy, depending on the old ways. They dont use electricity, gasoline power to till thier fields... well you get it. Apparently this vendor was selling old used stock. 90% of the offerings were stated as working. One had a Petromax tank. These lanterns probably spent its life in someones living room, lighting a home at night. I bought the 2 very best examples in working order complete. I have them now. I think I should share this with members now before the general public is aware. They have been on there 2 weeks. When you go to the bay, dont type in pressure lantern or any variation there of. I got 2 complete delivered for $45 plus shipping to Florida. Forgive me for being so long in the tooth. I thought I should explain. Any member reading this should go to the bay NOW. There will be a run on the last 7 the vendor offered. Type in Hypolito. Good luck!
I was in contact with the Lantern Shop owner this morning. He informed me of more future offerings. When my lanterns arrived, one had a brand new globe and chromed brass top. The top was a blemished one with a 1/8 crack,near where handle attaches. This doesnt affect function at all. As soon as I polish it up, I will post before and after pictures.
Thanks for pointing out the seller found him but sadly those Hipolito have been converted to accept a bicycle pump, I know that doesn't affect functionally. Thank you
Lancaster Lanterns produced/modified those lanterns exclusively in the past and sold them to the Amish community, they haven't made them in many years. They always turn up on ebay from other sellers but usually the sellers have no clue what they are. Rob, that is the issue with Amish lanterns for collectors, heavy use as they were just appliances to the Amish. Good thing is that for your lanterns Lancaster Lanterns carries still all the spare parts you'll need to get them running, jets , needles, etc..
I didnt realize the lamps were modified. One of mine has a purpose made valve in cap. The other has a valve in the font. It was done so well, I thought it was factory. I noticed some of the other offerings had valves that look as if a 5 year old attempted to do it. I had almost thrown the shipping box out, but upon emptying the remaining paper, there was a new spirit bottle with brass tube. Also, a zip loc bag that contained original instruction and a paper printed by lLancaster that had a troubleshooting chart and additional operating hinnts. Lastly, there was a new jet ,needle, and seal kit. Once again, my eagerness to share info revealed there is a lot about these lanterns to learn.
Two lanterns for $45 delivered is outstanding. Possibly the last time you'll ever get them for that price now!
The lanterns I purchased were $45 each, not for 2. The listings went from $32 (dented font, missing globe,part of top missing. When I discovered them, I examined every offer, every picture, every description before deciding on the best of the lot. They do work but since the bike pump valve was installed, I guess there was no use in the internal pump to work. I have mine apart now, attempting to restore the finish. A new spirit bottle, new original paperwork, an added fact sheet and troubleshooting guide, a new jet & needle, seal kit and 1 Petromax mantle were also included. I bought a non working Optimus 350 for $60 on the bay. Maybe I am paying too much, but for a working lantern for $45 seemed like a good deal. To bad there wasnt a 100/150 on there.
Its pretty evident that cosmetic issues didnt seem to be a concern. Mine look like they have never been cleaned. Maybe they were used in the barn or for night chores. I think I should retract the statement " they lit someones home". Even in the most frugal conservative societies, I wouldnt think these lamps would have been inside. Storage dust, no. There is obvious degradation of the chrome finish. Even being a "frankenlamp", to a newbie like myself, its a prize. I will use these as a tool on the learning curve. These wont be wallhangers, but used camping, nightfishing, etc.
I lived in Illinois in the early 1990's and visited Amish settlements in Arthur (IL) & also Pennsylvania a few times. Never went inside a house but all the shops used pressure lanterns.
