Guideline

The following information will help you to engage in this collaboration.

To assist you in submitting information, we offer a comprehensive submission guideline for your reference. Please find details below, along with a downloadable PDF file located in the Files section of this website.

How to submit your information.

Submissions can be made by email to the Old Flames website editorial team at info@oldflames.com.au, or using the Old Flames website’s Contact form [LINK].

Files, photos, and videos can be uploaded to the Old Flames website using the website’s Upload page under the ‘Files’ menu [LINK]. Please notify the website’s editorial team when uploading files to the website.

Conditions for participation in this collaboration are provided under the Collaboration Agreement on the Old Flames website [LINK].

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Miners Lamp Submission Guideline (Old Flames Collaboration)

Utilising a comprehensive list to capture technical details about antique miner’s lamps can help collectors, historians, or enthusiasts better understand and document these important historical artifacts. Following are elements to jog your mind.

Guidance on how to make submissions is provided at the bottom of this form.

Manufacturer Information:

  • Manufacturers or makers’ name.
  • Location of the manufacturer.
  • Year of production, and manufacture start and end date. A rough guide is provided below.
    • 1000 to 500 BC – Open Pan Lamp
    • 500 to 0 BC – Hanging Oil Lamp
    • 0 to 500 AC – Oil Lamp, Candles
    • 1725 to 1775 – Spedding Mill
    • 1790 – Oil Wick Lamp
    • Early 1800 / 1805 – Flame Safety Lamp
      • 1805 – First Clanny
      • 1817 – Stephenson
      • 1815 – Davy
    • Early 1800 – US Candlestick
    • 1900 – Carbide Lamp
    • Early 1900 – Electric
  • Country of origin.

Lamp Type:

  • Lamp model or series (if applicable).
  • Type of lamp, e.g.
    • Ancient Lamp – Open saucer, Clay/Pottery, Pipe.
    • Oil Wick Lamp / Tallow – Pan, Frog, Tunnel, Giesser.
    • Peg & Ball.
    • Spedding Mill.
    • Phosphorous Lamp.
    • Candleholder – Spider, Sticking Tommy, Candlestick.
    • Carbide Lamp – Hand, Cap, Area, Bicycle conversion to mining.
    • Safety Lamp (Davy & Stephenson, Clanny), e.g.
      • Davy – Most basic form of lamp with flame enclosed by a wire gauze.
      • Stephenson – Flame protected by both a glass cylinder topped with a perforated metal cap, and a pierced metal screen or gauze.
      • Clanny – Flame surrounded by a glass cylinder, and air for combustion enters from above.
      • Marsaut – Lamp with two or three gauzes above the glass enclosed by a bonnet.
      • Mueseler – Lamp with a metal chimney inside the gauze, but otherwise very similar to a clanny lamp.
      • Shaft Lamp
  • Purpose of lamp, e.g. Garforth, miners, sewer, radiator, GPO, novelty, miniature, charity event, etc.

Light Source:

  • Type of fuel used, e.g. Oil, Candle, Kerosene, Calcium Carbide, Lamp Oil, Solvent Based, Ronson, Zippo, Butane, Naphtha, Paraffin, Methylated Spirits, Coleman Camp.
  • Specific type of fuel or fuel cell / vessel / cartridge.
  • Size of the fuel reservoir or cartridge capacity.

Flame Adjustment:

  • Details about flame adjustment mechanisms (if applicable).
  • Information on how the flame intensity could be controlled.

Ignition System:

  • Description of the ignition system (e.g., striker, flint, piezo ignition).

Safety Features:

  • Safety features incorporated in the lamp (e.g., flame arrestor, safety screen).
  • Details about how these safety features functioned.

Materials:

  • Materials used in construction (e.g., brass, steel, glass).
  • Information about any special coatings or finishes.

Size and Weight:

  • Dimensions (height, width, depth).
  • Weight of the lamp.

Markings and Engravings:

  • Any markings, logos, or engravings on the lamp.
  • Information about their significance.

Lens or Glass:

  • Type of glass or lens used.
  • Details about any designs or etchings on the glass.

Reflector:

  • Description of the reflector (if applicable).
  • Material, size, and shape of the reflector.

Carrying or Mounting Mechanism:

  • Description of how the lamp could be carried or mounted on a helmet or belt.

Historical Context:

  • Information about the historical context of the lamp’s use.
  • Any specific mines or regions where these lamps were commonly used.

Accessories and Attachments:

  • Any additional accessories or attachments that came with the lamp (e.g., spare parts, carrying case, mirror).

Condition:

  • The current condition of the lamp (e.g., mint, good, fair, poor).
  • Any restoration work that has been done.

Provenance:

  • Information about the lamp’s ownership history, if known.
  • Current country location.

References and Documentation:

  • Any books, articles, or catalogues that reference the lamp model.
  • Copies of original user manuals or documentation (if available).
  • Owner’s name, or pseudonym (alias) if privacy is requested.
  • Owner’s contact details to facilitate correspondence with the website’s editorial team. This information remains confidential and won’t be shared or published.
  • The Upload link may used to upload large files to the Old Flames website.

Photographs and/or videos:

  • High-quality photographs of the lamp from various angles, e.g. front, side, top, bottom, dismantled, and inside the bonnet.
  • Provide a size comparison by including a photo with a recognisable measurement reference, such as a ruler positioned in the background or alongside a commonly known object like a standard Protector lamp.
  • Close-up shots of important details and markings.
  • Videos, photos, and other large files may be uploaded to the website using the Upload link under the ‘Files’ menu.

Value and Rarity:

  • Current estimated value or market price.
  • Information on the lamp’s rarity or collectability. Rarity is determined by:
    • the approximate amount of similar existing items, and/or
    • how often a similar item becomes available to the market (once weekly, monthly, yearly, five yearly, ten yearly, or once in a lifetime).

Personal Notes and Observations:

  • Any personal observations, anecdotes, or historical insights related to the lamp.
  • Known sources for obtaining parts.
  • Known experts and/or restorers of similar lamps.

By creating a detailed list with these technical details, you can help preserve the history and significance of antique miner’s lamps while also providing valuable information to fellow collectors and historians.

Submissions can be made by email to the Old Flames website editorial team at info@oldflames.com.au, or using the Old Flames website’s Contact form [LINK].

Files, photos, and videos can be uploaded to the Old Flames website using the website’s Upload page [LINK]. Please notify the website’s editorial team when uploading files to the website.

Conditions for participation in this collaboration are provided under the Collaboration Agreement on the Old Flames website [LINK].

Feel free to contact our editorial team at info@oldflames.com.au if you prefer to email your information.

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