Market Watch, 3–4 November 2026: a Cortonwood GR6, a Belgian porion lamp, a Lietz clinometer and a SEMOI
A lamp from the pit that started the 1984–85 strike, two Belgian pieces and an American surveyor’s pocket tool.
Eccles Protector Type GR6 no. 3592, with its N.C.B. “CORTONWOOD” pit check
- Where
- eBay UK, item 820299832646
- Location
- Northwich, UK
- Seen
- 3 Nov 2026
The lamp is a common one, but the pit is part of British history. Cortonwood Colliery near Rotherham was sunk in 1873. The National Coal Board’s announcement in March 1984 that it would close set off the 1984–85 miners’ strike; it closed on 25 October 1985. There’s a stamped “S” on the base ring, which may mean it was converted to stainless wick tubes (see our GR6S 66/G post). The seller notes the lock needs re-soldering.
Dufrane, Monceau-sur-Sambre: officials’ (“porion”) lamp with double Marsaut gauze
- Where
- 2ememain.be (Belgium), item m2420382830
- Location
- Seraing, Liège (dealer)
- Seen
- 3 Nov 2026
A maker from the Charleroi coalfield we hadn’t seen before. Belgium made the Mueseler compulsory in fiery mines from 1864, and from 1904 also allowed the Marsaut, Fumat and Wolf lamps. No bonnet shows in the photos, so ask whether it originally had one.
M. Attwood’s mining clinometer by A. Lietz Co., San Francisco, in leather case
- Where
- eBay US, item 226314528435
- Location
- Davis, California
- Seen
- 3 Nov 2026
A pocket “universal” instrument for mine work: a gravity clinometer reading 0–90° both ways, a compass with a jewelled needle, a hand level and contact levels on a cast aluminium-alloy frame about 6¾ by 3 inches. Lietz’s 1899 catalogue called it “the most useful Clinometer and Compass for Mining Work” at $15 with the case, and it was still listed as No. 186 in 1926. Adolph Lietz started his San Francisco business in 1882.
SEMOI, Ans (Belgium): brass officials’ electric hand lamp
- Where
- 2ememain.be (Belgium), item m2432684567
- Location
- Dealer in Seraing, Liège
- Seen
- 4 Nov 2026
SEMOI of Ans, near Liège, made electric lamps for the Belgian coalfield. The seller dates it to the 1920s. Most lamps we see from Liège are Marsaut and Mueseler flame lamps, so an all-brass electric officials’ lamp is less common.
Australian dollar amounts are approximate, at the rate on the day seen. Every price here also goes into the Old Flames price guide. Seen something we should look at? Post it in the Old Flames Facebook group.
