18. Lighting & Lamps

18.89 OLD SIGNAL LAMP. Extra high quality hand-held ship’s signal lantern used for communicating via Morse Code. This all copper and brass lamp bears an embossed brass maker’s label reading “METEORITE 6848.” The front of the chimney has the additional embossed oblong brass label reading, “Newman & Field, Birmingham.” This state-of-the art early English lantern has a thick ribbed glass Freznel lens set into a brass frame within the copper body. The top hinges open to reveal the oil font with burner and original glass chimney within. The wick advance knob is marked “P & A Thomaston, Conn.” with the aspirated burner which hinges back for cleaning. The interior of the lamp is equipped with a complex spring-loaded light curtain which is activated by a brass lever on the left side of the lamp. The action is smooth and tight. The backside of the lamp has a substantial rolled copper handle. The top of the lamp hinges open with a hasp and chain. The copper chimney has a thick cast brass handle. Cleverly, there is a small brass “window” in the side of the lantern with a sliding track which allows the operator to monitor the flame within. This handsome lantern measures 14 inches tall and 8 inches wide overall. Front to back, with its handle it measure 9 ¼ inches. It is in outstanding original condition in all respects. The thick glass lens is perfect and all surfaces are in a bright lacquered finish. Really an exceptional example worthy of the finest early lamp collection, bar none. 849

18.88 SHIP’s CABIN LAMPS. Stunning, matched pair of English cabin lamps from the 1920’s or earlier, made by the lamp making firm of “VIKING, Registered Trademark” as boldly embossed on the oval brass maker’s label on the front of the chimneys. These pristine, original oil-fired lamps were made entirely of the finest quality thick-walled sheet brass. Attesting to their quality, the front panel is thick beveled glass and is made removable by loosening one screw for cleaning. The right side of each lamp is equipped with a sliding door which lifts up to access the original fonts within. The complex fonts are double-walled for maximum aspiration of the burner and have “breather holes” on two sides. There is a handle on the font for its easy insertion and removal to accommodate servicing and filling. To these ends, each has an oil filler hole in the font with screw-on cap and a wick advance knob on the burner. The bottoms of the lamp bodies also have breather holes. These are covered by the sliding door which is equipped with a hasp for secure locking when required. The back wall of each lamp is covered with a unique silvered dual panel with reflects the light emitted from the flame to the left and right. The top of each lamp has a hemispherical hinged chimney cover and the back is equipped with very substantial cast brass male hanging bracket. In addition, the sides of the lamps have square tubular fittings which were designed to fit over support prongs on either side of the lamp body. The lower backs of each also have a concealed triangular air inlet abutting the bulkhead. Incredible, virtually pristine condition in lustrous bright brass surfaces with no flaws! These are the nicest lamps of their type we have ever encountered in our 39 years. They would make an awesome statement in an entrance way. That noted, we would highly discourage modifying them by drilling or other permanent changes for electrification, since they are very rare survivors from such devaluating practices begun in the 1920’s onward. 19 ½ inches high by 9 3/8 wide and 7 ½ deep. Each weighs an amazing 12 pounds! Bargain priced. A few years ago a pair of lamps of this age and condition would easily have fetched $3,000. 1895

A substantial number of reproduction “Viking Cabin Lamps” were made in Taiwan from 1970 through the early 1990’s. There is no comparison to them and the real thing. The differences in quality are easily recognizable.

18.86  LIGHT CURTAIN LANTERN.  Unbelievable!  This is an extremely rare late 1800’s or at the latest, pre-1910 British ship’s lamp with the unusual feature of being able to be darkened without dousing the light source – in this case a single candle!  This massive ship’s light is constructed of thick sheet copper with heavy cast brass fittings.  The quality and heft of this lamp really defy description, the likes of which few familiar with marine lighting have encountered before!  The upper body of the lamp bears the embossed oval brass maker’s tag reading “BINKO RIDSDALE CO., LONDON.”   Other makers of similar but smaller lamps were Bulpitt & Sons and Eli Griffiths & Sons, both of Birmingham, England.  The maker was located in the heart of the London ships’ manufactory on 54 & 120 Minories.  The thick, massive magnifying lens is set into a tinned copper frame.  Below, a brass lever connected to an internal shield allows the light source to be completely covered.  There is a locking lever at the top to maintin the curtain in place.  On the reverse is the hemispherical hinged door with sliding pin closure.  It has a stout built-in parabolic mirror which doubles as a stiffener.  Inside are the remnants of a brass candle holder with bayonet twist-off cap.  It would have been spring-loaded to push a nearly 2 inch diameter candle up to the top as it was consumed.   The top of the lamp is equipped with a large aspirated chimney held by stout brass brackets and a pivoting brass hanger with securing pin on a chain.  This huge relic of the late 19th century stands 29 inches tall by 10 ½ inches in diameter and weighs a hefty 25 pounds.  As rare as they come!   2895

Given extensive research on-line and in books pertaining to early lighting, it is still uncertain why the British chose to manufacture such behemoths producing a mere single candle power!  But the innovative light curtain did allow the user the convenience of “turning off” the light without blowing out source.   The timeframe of such light curtain lamps appears to have been in the 20 year period between 1890 and 1915 leading up to the Great War.  Subsequent to that time, scarce war resources were no longer available to produce such extravagant devices, additionally spurred by the advance of electric lighting.  As such, this relic comes from a narrow window in time, of which very few examples survive – especially one in nearly pristine original condition!  This is a true museum piece. 

18.85  AMERICAN GIMBAL LAMPS.   Magnificent matched pairof finest quality ship’s cabin lamps.  None others are equal!  (Try looking).  These early 1900’s gimbaled ship’s cabin lamps were made by the prestigious Perkins Marine Lamp Company of Brooklyn, New York as impressed ”PERKO” on the mounting flanges.  This handsome set is all brass, mounted on thick solid teak back boards.  The lamps have their original classic “Star” burners with aspirated flanges and pivoting burner caps which hinge back for inspection and cleaning.   The wick advance knobs are embossed “The Miller Co., U.S.A.”  The large, removable all brass fonts are securely seated by 3 retaining springs within the solid brass lamp bodies.  Each lamp is in turn supported by its hefty brass gimbal bracket mounted to the backboard.  A screw is provided in the support arm to lock the apparatus in place, or to allow it to gimbal freely. Each lamp is equipped with its adjustable all brass smoke bell above its fireproof crystal glass chimney.  The loverly "tiger strips" teakwood mounts themselves are antique.  This wood come from ships salvaged in the 1970’s – which dated before WWII.  Each presentation is equipped with its custom-made brass wall hanger on the back.   Behind the chimneys are affixed the brass tags of the West Sea Company which we proudly display with our anchor logo.  The lucky buyer will be in possession of simply the best.   1495

18.83  GREAT LAKES RUNNING LIGHT.   Finest quality small craft running lamp with “TRIPLEX” port and starboard lighthouse-like lenses patented in 1910.  The lamp itself was made by “Geo. B. Carpenter, Chicago,” as indicated on the oval brass maker’s tag.  It was patented April 1st 1913 as embossed on the rear bracket.  This sturdy little lamp has a brass chimney cap and stout iron ring for hanging when not supported by the bracket.  The all brass font and burner screw into the base with a bayonet twist.  Well aspirated for maximum light output including an internal reflector.  A removable “light curtain” is installed in a sliding track between the two lenses.  The red and green lenses are both in perfect condition.  10 ½ inches tall overall and 5 1/8 inches in diameter.  7 ¾ inches front to back.  Sound but well-used condition.   Totally complete and original.  269

18.81   MINIATURE LANTERN.   Genuine, early 1900’s American navigational lamp made by the Perkins Company of Brooklyn, New York, as stamped “PERKO” on the bottom of the font.  This diminutive all brass anchor lamp has a thick. molded glass Freznel lens held by 4 protective struts which serve to hold the top and bottom of the lamp together  The lens bears the embossed inscription, “MLD 13 JR ANCHOR FIG.261 PERKINS.”  The base is aspirated with several holes on its periphery.  The oil font (sump) and burner are held in place with a bayonet twist in the bottom.  Two eyelets are attached to the sides for securing the lamp to a halyard.  The upper portion of the lamp has an elongated chimney with inner heat shield and is surrounded by “pine tree-like” vents.  The top has a pivoting loop for suspension.  This little veteran stands 8 ½ inches tall by 4 ¼ inches in diameter, not including the loops.  It is in virtually perfect original condition showing a rich patina from careful use at sea. 189

Frederick Persky, a Russian immigrant, schooled in Germany as a machinist, came to the United States in 1890 and soon found work at the Bliss Company in Brooklyn, New York.  In the early 1900's he and a partner began their own business, F. Persky & Company, Lantern Manufacturer, out of his house.

In 1907, Frederick's son Louis joined him in the business, and together they enlarged the product line and their manufacturing facilities.  By 1912, under then name of Perkins Marine Lamp Corporation, they were manufacturing a wide range of lanterns and marine products.  Five generations later, PERKO is still a privately owned, family operated corporation, operating out of Miami, Florida in 1960.

18.45  RARE SHIP’s ONION LAMP.   Lovely, very early ship’s globe lantern or “onion lamp” from the days of sail.  This lamp is almost certainly of American manufacture.  It is of all copper construction with its original blown glass globe.  Entirely hand-made, it exhibits neat riveted and soldered joints, punched cruciform vents and a castellated top.  The top and bottom of the lamp are connected by 5 stout copper supports which double as guards encircled by an equally heavy equatorial ring.  The top of the lamp hinges open and there was a provision for a hasp.  The blade is present but the flap is not.   This truly wonderful old lamp measures 15 inches tall (17 1/2 inches overall with the handle) and is 11 inches in diameter   The thick glass globe is wavy with bubbles and inclusions, typical of glass manufactured prior to the Civil War.  One heat crack in the glass does exist which, happily, does not even show from most perspectives.   The font with burner, most likely whale oil, is no longer present.  Lovely form, condition, and age patina with no corrosion.  The biggest and best lamp of its type we have yet come across.  A very rare example of a nicely preserved early marine lantern.  Circa 1850.   595

Copper, an elemental metal prized for its heat conductivity, malleability and resistance to corrosion, was the premium material used by manufacturers of the earliest marine lighting.

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