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Question and Answer Page

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Disclaimer
The Guild is not a commercial organization, but a group of researchers. We assume that those who arrive directly on this page from another site or Search Engine might wonder who we are, and go to the About Us page to find out. There they will note we are researchers in liquid and gaseous fueled lamps. Sorry, we don't do electric.

We do not and will not do appraisals here.
Unfortunately there are just too many variables to consider. Hands-on examination is the only way to determine "value". The Guild is most interested in historical significance and preservation.

Please read the information below before posting questions

Archives
Check this page before you post a question.
Archived questions may be viewed and searched using question titles or key words here:
For many of the more common brands and lamps, your question may have already been answered. There are over 5000 answered questions in our files, all text-based searchable. Just use the "Search the Archives" button found above. We also suggest a simple "Google" search of a brand or company name. Often, that's what we have to do to get answers.

Reopening or answering an Archived Question requires re-entering it as a new question. It may be captured without retyping by highlighting the text you wish to copy, clicking "EDIT", then "COPY", going to the ADD QUESTION page, and placing the cursor in the Message box, clicking "PASTE".

What information is necessary to help you.
Items to help identify a lamp, or lantern should include:

An Image

The image is likely the most important element. 99% of all questions need an image to go with them. What we need to see and what you describe can vary a great deal. The direct upload feature makes adding images EASY, as long as they are small, under 100kb. With Direct Upload, the image is captured right from your computer files. Images posted this way become a permanent part of the Archive files. If Direct upload will not accept your image, e-mail our Technical Support. If you need multiple images with your question, please try to make a single composite image of them, or e-mail them to Technical Support to combine and post for you. Having to combine already posted multiple images is quite difficult.

We need to see the lamp, and its parts.
Please use a neutral background for your photos. Busy backgrounds deter us from seeing details.

Please do not post questions until you are prepared to provide an image. The image needs to go with the first posting for correct upload to our server. Coming back to do it later is more difficult for you and us.

If you opt not to use the direct upload feature for images when posting images directly to the board, then you need a "host site" available 24-7 to store the image for recall. Please do not use your computer's URL, or eBay or other temporary URL's. As soon as an auction is over (or you are not on-line), the image disappears or is unreachable, and is thus 'non-existent'.

Your Description

  • The Maker (found on flame spreaders, wick knobs, filler caps, font tops, etc)

  • A Brand Name

  • A Description of the burner, flame spreader, wick mechanism (ie: how does it seem to burn and make light?)

  • Dimensions, color & patterns of glass pieces, logos embossed on the brass parts, description of chimney, etc are all useful. But these may not be the key to identification.

If you need help posting a question or image please ask us. Incomplete postings are simply deleted. Technical Support would be happy to assist.

Some final tips and photo requirements

  • INCLUDE A PHOTO WITH YOUR QUESTION, without it you really won't get a good answer.
  • Click on the subjects below to view or to answer questions.
  • All Questions will be automatically archived after 30 days with no answer posting activity.
  • Photos must be GIF or JPEG format (no PNG, BMP, TIFF)
  • Photo files cannot have spaces in the name
  • Photo filename extensions must be .gif or .jpg (case is not important)
  • Photo file size must be no greater than 100 KB
Click here for technical support

Click here to add a new question.


Please - no electric lamp questions - we don't know, either.

  1. Unknown lamp by Paul
     Posted: Feb. 04, 2012 @ 03:38. Responses: 0
  2. Carriage Lamps circa 1830 mfg in England by Ray Binnion
     Posted: Feb. 02, 2012 @ 09:02. Responses: 1 on Feb. 2, 2012
  3. Unknown Miller by Mike
     Posted: Feb. 02, 2012 @ 06:49. Responses: 2 on Feb. 3, 2012
  4. Unknown kerosene lamp by Mario Bellolio Bosticca
     Posted: Feb. 02, 2012 @ 05:33. Responses: 5 on Feb. 3, 2012
  5. Sun Vapor lamp by bret
     Posted: Feb. 01, 2012 @ 10:08. Responses: 5 on Feb. 2, 2012
  6. ID Center Draft Lamp by Mike
     Posted: Jan. 31, 2012 @ 09:26. Responses: 4 on Feb. 2, 2012
  7. Star Brass MFG CO bracket lamp by Ben
     Posted: Jan. 29, 2012 @ 10:00. Responses: 5 on Jan. 29, 2012
  8. The Rajah Gaslight – information required. by Arthur Brook
     Posted: Jan. 28, 2012 @ 21:00. Responses: 3 on Jan. 30, 2012
  9. Coatings by George Milliken
     Posted: Jan. 28, 2012 @ 17:00. Responses: 2 on Jan. 31, 2012
  10. Chimney for Rare Lamp Needed by Phil Davis
     Posted: Jan. 28, 2012 @ 09:10. Responses: 8 on Feb. 1, 2012
  11. Nut for Mercury Reflector by Peter
     Posted: Jan. 26, 2012 @ 05:17. Responses: 3 on Jan. 29, 2012
  12. find shade and chimney for 1890 B&H by Joe
     Posted: Jan. 23, 2012 @ 21:19. Responses: 2 on Jan. 31, 2012
  13. Help ID a B&H table lamp by Mike
     Posted: Jan. 23, 2012 @ 19:28. Responses: 4 on Jan. 31, 2012
  14. Authentic Otto Muller Lamp? by David
     Posted: Jan. 23, 2012 @ 17:55. Responses: 1 on Jan. 31, 2012
  15. Mantle not fully illuminating? by Arthur
     Posted: Jan. 23, 2012 @ 17:14. Responses: 1 on Jan. 24, 2012
  16. cobalt oil lamp by Jule
     Posted: Jan. 20, 2012 @ 18:58. Responses: 7 on Jan. 22, 2012
  17. Folding Candle Lamp - ID ? by John Stelly
     Posted: Jan. 20, 2012 @ 17:40. Responses: 2 on Jan. 28, 2012
  18. Please Help Identify [repost of Q#6065] by TB
     Posted: Jan. 20, 2012 @ 16:53. Responses: 2 on Jan. 20, 2012
  19. Please Help Identify Burner by Joey
     Posted: Jan. 19, 2012 @ 04:25. Responses: 1 on Jan. 19, 2012
  20. Inverted Lantern aka Do-nut by Bob Cahill
     Posted: Jan. 18, 2012 @ 17:43. Responses: 2 on Jan. 19, 2012
  21. New security measures in place by TechnicalSupport
     Posted: Jan. 18, 2012 @ 11:32. Responses: 1 on Jan. 18, 2012
  22. Wick riser. by George Milliken
     Posted: Jan. 18, 2012 @ 09:47. Responses: 5 on Jan. 19, 2012
  23. Center draft lamp ID by David Burns
     Posted: Jan. 18, 2012 @ 00:13. Responses: 5 on Jan. 20, 2012
  24. Anchor Nautical Lanterns/lights by Ray Kling
     Posted: Jan. 16, 2012 @ 19:07. Responses: 2 on Jan. 18, 2012
  25. Parlor Lamp? by Jim Wright
     Posted: Jan. 16, 2012 @ 12:19. Responses: 4 on Jan. 17, 2012
  26. BEGINNER - Need help with new lamp by Sacha
     Posted: Jan. 16, 2012 @ 07:15. Responses: 2 on Jan. 16, 2012
  27. Mammoth Banner lamp (?) by Kate
     Posted: Jan. 15, 2012 @ 08:54. Responses: 8 on Jan. 15, 2012
  28. Help ID by Michele
     Posted: Jan. 14, 2012 @ 20:40. Responses: 1 on Jan. 15, 2012
  29. Is this really a W&W Vulkan 16'''? Interior not typical by Rob Smith
     Posted: Jan. 12, 2012 @ 09:51. Responses: 11 on Jan. 15, 2012
  30. Please identify this font by chris
     Posted: Jan. 11, 2012 @ 17:27. Responses: 2 on Jan. 19, 2012
  31. Sherwood Birmingham brass candle lamp by Jane McIntosh
     Posted: Jan. 11, 2012 @ 08:33. Responses: 3 on Jan. 12, 2012
  32. Identification Please by Tim Beckwith
     Posted: Jan. 10, 2012 @ 18:57. Responses: 1 on Jan. 17, 2012
  33. Identification, please by Tom
     Posted: Jan. 08, 2012 @ 18:03. Responses: 2 on Jan. 10, 2012
  34. Lighthouse glass by ryan hedley
     Posted: Jan. 04, 2012 @ 06:52. Responses: 2 on Jan. 12, 2012
  35. Help Identifying a pair of Unusual Lamps [John Scott] by Shane Luta
     Posted: Jan. 03, 2012 @ 12:05. Responses: 7 on Jan. 12, 2012
  36. Help with early tin lamp by Russell Benard
     Posted: Jan. 02, 2012 @ 13:49. Responses: 16 on Jan. 12, 2012
  37. Fostoria/Consolidated makers marks-- by Clare A.
     Posted: Jan. 02, 2012 @ 08:23. Responses: 6 on Jan. 12, 2012
  38. Best Street Light Company by ernest
     Posted: Jan. 01, 2012 @ 11:10. Responses: 7 on Jan. 12, 2012
  39. New (Old) Lamp, or is it? by Mike Sullivan
     Posted: Dec. 26, 2011 @ 16:09. Responses: 10 on Jan. 12, 2012
  40. Help With Snotneus Oil Lamp by Georgi
     Posted: Dec. 26, 2011 @ 06:41. Responses: 8 on Jan. 18, 2012
  41. Solar Lamp by Casey Jennings
     Posted: Dec. 25, 2011 @ 12:29. Responses: 4 on Jan. 12, 2012
  42. What uses these Nonpareil Mantles? by Arthur
     Posted: Dec. 22, 2011 @ 15:49. Responses: 1 on Jan. 12, 2012
  43. Asahi Hanging Lamp ID by Caleb Larsen
     Posted: Dec. 13, 2011 @ 21:32. Responses: 5 on Jan. 12, 2012
  44. Economy gravity lamp -whats missing? by Larry Healey
     Posted: Dec. 04, 2011 @ 18:35. Responses: 4 on Jan. 7, 2012