Date: Wed. May 20, 1998
Scott Alessio wrote:
I recently acquired a set of tin oil lamps at a local flea market. I
have done some research on it but my knowledge of the available
reference material on the subject is very limited. They are two hand
held candle shaped lamps with with a small rolled finger handle.
"KANDLET" Pat. 164423 Reg.# 681553 is stamped on the bottom. I
researched the patents and they were pat. in 1875. A friend looked
in
some of his books and said they appear to be very rare as they were
not
listed in any of his books. Any information on these lamps would be
greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Scott Alessio
Guild Response
Scott: The "Kandlet" is ENGLISH. Th patent number 164423 is a 1920 UK patent by Henry Courteen and E.J.Burgess. They were sold in the US by Aladdin Industries, Inc (then a division of Mantle Lamp Co. of America) under the name "Aladdinette". The ones sold in the US (still made in the UK) were stamped Aladdinette. A later version with a paper shade was made in the US by Aladdin (1926 patent) and carried a paper label. See page 39 in Bill Courter's Aladdin, The Magic Name in Lamps , Second edition! These are desirable little lamps, particularly if marked Aladdinette!