posted on July 22, 2005 06:28:14 AM new
I was consigned this and was told that it was an antique German oil lamp. I'm assuming that it didn't use wicks, but to be honest, know nothing about this.
posted on July 22, 2005 06:49:26 AM new
Don't know about the German part, but early lighting had "floating wicks" that actually rested in the tallow or oil. Do a search on a Betty lamp and you will see what I mean.
However, I've never seen one like this, and can't quite figure out where the "fat" went.
posted on July 22, 2005 07:00:51 AM new
Looks similar to a pre-betty crusie lamp in which the "wicks used most often were made of twisted cloth. The wicks at times drew up oil quicker than it could be burned on these lamps allowing the surplus to spill over the sides of the lamp. Because of this problem most grease lamps were fitted with two pans this way so that the second pan could catch the drippings and keep them from over flowing onto the floor. The crusie required constant attention as the wicks were free floating in a spout but still often fell below the surface of the fat and had to be picked back out or adjusted with a pick-wick" this is from research I had from my crusie lamp that now I can't find the web page. But here's a picture of the crusie. It looks like the concepts are similar (the one below is missing a pan that would drip down in to the lower pan)I believe the one below is PA Dutch.
[ edited by carolinetyler on Jul 22, 2005 07:02 AM ]
[ edited by carolinetyler on Jul 22, 2005 07:03 AM ]
posted on July 22, 2005 10:06:29 AM new
The ramshorn studio page was where I found my reference - perfect! I've bookmarked it now so it won't get lost. Let us know what you find out or how much you get, I'd be interested to find out. My crusie lamp didn't do well, but I think it was because it was missing a pan and I put it on for no reserve during the slowest time of the year. I only got $28 for it! But I guess I should be happy that I only had $14 in to it.
posted on July 22, 2005 11:14:25 AM new
I'm starting the lamp tonight at $149. I have been starting items above $1 a lot lately; I hope to return to $1/NR in the fall.
Who knows, maybe I'll get some bids. If not, come September, $1/NR.
posted on July 25, 2005 07:19:15 PM new
Just came across this in live auctions - reminded me of your German lamp - thought you may be interested:
http://cgi.liveauctions.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=28221&item=6546436752
(Sorry I can never make that stupid link thing work no matter what I do!)
[ edited by carolinetyler on Jul 25, 2005 07:20 PM ]
[ edited by carolinetyler on Jul 25, 2005 07:22 PM ]
