This japanned lantern features an isinglass (micah) window. Some collectors refer to this as an "artillery lantern", perhaps because there is no glass window to break and expose the flame to gunpowder. I am not aware of any official designation of this lantern for artillery or ordnance use. Several variations of this style of lantern can be found in Lord's Civil War Collector's Encyclopedia, volume 1. This is a genuine japanned/asphaltum finish, not modern black paint.

Price: $85.00 if isinglass is available for window.

(candle and tin matchcase are not included)

 Original lantern on left (from the collection of Eric Hector) and reproduction on the right. The lantern is japanned with a genuine asphaltum based paint and lit by a double wicked whale oil lamp that can be removed for filling. This is a "safe" lamp which means that a sliding door (notice the pewter button on the lower left of the lanterns) can block the beam of light. This lantern is very similar to one found in the C.S.S. Hunley. A link to a really neat Hunley site is provided by clicking here. A page devoted to the Hunley lantern can be visited by clicking here.

 In this image the door to the lanterns have been opened. The whale oil lamps are inside the lanterns but hard to see in this image. I will be adding an image of the whale oil lamps in the future.  These lanterns are just the thing for mounting "Grand Guard" or chasing Jack the Ripper through the back alleys of London!  This is a genuine japanned/asphaltum finish, not modern black paint. Check first for availability of whale oil lamps.

Price: $250.00


  This travellers' candle has a japanned finish and a clip on the bottom to slip over the edge of a book and hold it in place. It works best once the wax has burned down a little below the rim and is perfect for private late night reading and letter writing or for officers and NCOs to use for pre-dawn roll-calls.

Price: $25.00 (Does NOT include diary, pen or ink bottle. Inquire for availability of ink bottles.)

 

A pair of pierced tin lanterns with a Masonic motif. Original lanterns with a Masonic design such as these are rare and highly collectible. These were made for a customer who wanted to make a special presentation. Inquire about similar custom work.

Price: variable depending on design starting at $85.00 for each lantern


This is a lantern that was made as a custom reproduction of an original found in Pennsylvania that is now part of a private collection. It was probably a piece made by a country tinman rather than by a large shop. The three vertical guards over the glass are missing on the original but solder indicates where they were located. The horizontal guards are conjectural but based on period practice. The vent holes at the top on the back panel were not present on the original but were added to prevent the top from overheating. Dimensions: front panel 7"x 9 3/4"; depth 4 3/4"; overall height with ring extended 12 3/4".

 

Price: $85.00.

Option: "wavy" original 19th century glass $10.00 extra.


MANY OTHER STYLES OF LIGHTING DEVICE ARE AVAILABLE INCLUDING SCONCES, CHANDELIERS, CANDLE HOLDERS, GREASE AND OIL LAMPS, ETC. IF YOU WANT A REPRODUCTION OF A SPECIFIC PIECE AND YOU HAVE PHOTOS OR A DRAWING

JUST ASK!

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