Posted 13 years ago
portcitypi…
(2 items)
United States Lighthouse Establishment Small Brass Light-House Keeper’s Oil Measure. c. 1870-1900. Brass one pint oil can was used by Keepers of the Light-House Establishment to measure and transfer oil for the lamps. Can is entirely of brass, and in clean and original condition with few if any marks and no dents or repairs. Can measures 5” high and approx. 3 ½” in diameter. The body of the can is bears the original, distinctive oval stamp: “U. S. L. H. DEPOT, 3 DIST., LAMP SHOP, STATEN ISLAND , N.Y. ” Also bears original stamping “ U. S. LIGHT-HOUSE ESTABLISHMENT” beneath.
I just purchased one very much like yours at an antigue-junk store. I don't know anything about them and was looking it up to see if it was genuine. It is so well made I thought it must have been.What are they worth? Are imitations common?Any information is aprecieated. Thanks, Dave
Dave,
I had no idea that these were so rare. I found mine in a storage unit that I purchased at auction. As far as immitations go, I don"t believe they are very common. The main identifying feature is the two stamps, one being "US Lighthouse establishment" and the other "USLH Depot, Staten Island, NY." From the research I've done this item is in the $1495 - $1695 range retail.
However, sales on such items has been quite slow over the past 3 years or so. You might hope to get 80% of that retail with luck. There have been quite a few around lately for sale.
Hope this helps.