Posted 14 years ago
DJ_DeJager
(1 item)
I found this most amazing RR Lantern at a yard sale; most interested in finding out any additional information someone might want to share! Thank you for your consideration in this matter!!!
Trying to obtain information about the following RR Lantern | ||
| Railroad Lanterns and Lamps192 of 250 |  |  |
This an "Adlake" pressed steel switch lamp, model no. 169, with a fork mount. It's called a "lamp" because of the four lenses. Lanterns have globes.
Adams and Westlake have made lamps since 1857, they shortened their name to Adlake around 1890. Their original designs had circular tops. I have one from 1907 listed on my site with cobalt lenses. Somewhere around 1907 they started to make an "electrical light attachment". Check and see if your light bulb mount was original or a conversion. My guess is it is a later model with a conversion, but check it out.
Later they bought the Love-Dressel lamp company and changed their design from circular top to squared top (1930-40's) Dressel lamps are distinguished by their round tops, Adlake depending on the manufacture date are square. I have two Dressels on my site (check them out)
The bullseye lense look like they are original to the piece. If they are in tact, no cracks, and you have just the little rust that is visible, then you have a 1930's era, rare to very rare railroad lamp. My guess is that it is worth $100-125, 150-175 on it's best day to a motivated buyer . The value is primarily going to depend on the metal of the lamp, no rust is a good thing.
As far as a drawbacks. The top plate is bent, the keroseen burner, wick mount and pyrex chimney are missing (you might have them, but they are not pictured). Collectors want them as original as possible. That is why I put it at $100-125.
One other thought is to turn the lamp upside down and look underneath for significant markings, dates, cities, etc.
Now...what did you pay for it??? I'm jealous, I search high and low for these and I've never seen one in a yard sale. I hope all this helps and keep hunting.
Thank you much for the information! Sure is nostalgic, too bad I may have to sell it, darn the luck... Thanks again for all the information think I will check out your site and do a little research :) Have a GREAT day! DJ