ARCHIVED Questions and Answers
Schneider's Illuminator
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Schneider's Illuminator by Eric Hockman
Posted: Nov. 13, 1998 @ 12:16.
I was hoping you could shed some light on an >unusual two part shade we just dug out of an attic. It is called the >"B,B, SCHNEIDER'S ILLUMINATOR PAT.REIS, APR, 11 1882" also on it is "B. >SUN PAT. OCT. 3 1876" The shade is 7 3/4" in diam. White glass on top >with a clear part on the bottom that fits on a 3" holder on a oil lamp. >The white part sits on the clear part. It is pretty neat and I have >never seen anything like it. Any info would be great. Thanks so much, >Eric at "PICKERS".
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On Nov. 13, 1998 @ 21:27, Fil Graff, Guild Secretary
wrote:
Eric: If the whole thing had been one piece, you would have a treasure! The "Ives Illuminator", the common version of what you have, was an attempt to replace the chimney and shade support of a lamp with a clear dish that had a chimney fitter (they were made in "0", "1" and "2 [or 3]" sizes, all I've seen are for 6 or 7" shades) and a top rim to hold a shade. The single piece shade/shade support/chimney I mentioned first (and I've never seen one, but recall a Rushlight article in the indeterminate past on the item) combined the colored shade and clear bottom in a single piece. I doubt the success of the one-piece device...if they worked, or weren't awfully expensive, then there should be more of them around.
Schneider (and I don't recognize the name) may have been another maker of the Illuminator patent. I really don't feel (this is a personal opinion, and subject to rebuttal) the "Illuminator" was an effective lighting device. The lamp chimney is designed to provide a good draft to make the flame from a burning wick give more light by burning more efficiently. The Ives device is just too big in diameter, and does too little to shape the flame, to do that, unless the lamp has gotten very hot. I have a couple on display, but use a regular chimney on lamps I burn...they give more light with a proper chimney.
BUT, the devices do seem to have been popular, as they aren't uncommon, at least in central PA. They are attractive, and bring decent $$ at auction, often helping to sell an otherwise nothing lamp! They are useful for electrifications, as the bulb fit in the chimney is no longer a problem. Enjoy your attic treasure! Discovery is at least half the fun of lamping! :: Fil ::