An Unusual Miner's Lamp With An Unusual Maker's Mark
Can anyone provide me with any information about the above lamp and its makers? It is considerbly taller to most other miner's lamps I have seen measuring 10.5 inches from its base to the top of its bonnet. The brass full vessel measures approximately 3.7 inches in diameter. The lamp's bonnet has a brass ring riveted to its base that is stamped with the number "247". The same lamp identification number plus a five pointed star with a "T" in its center is also stamped into the brass ring into which the steel bonnet support pillars are fixed. The same identification number plus star and "T" makings are to be found in the top of the lamp's brass fuel vessel. The lamp has a hasp and clasp locking mechanism. At the base of its steel bonnet there are 2 rivets that may have been used to fix a makers name plate onto it. This lamp is missing its wick holder and glass along with its gaurze(s).
REPLY No.1
Is it possible the star markings you mentioned could be six and not five pointed stars? If so they could be interpreted as the "Stars of David" which was used as a maker's mark by Edward Teale & Co. of Swinton in Manchester. Teale was of Jewish decent and adopted the "Star of David" as his trade mark. I have never seen such a mark with a "T" in its centre but again a "T" would fit for "Teale".
This lamp is indeed a Teale and is a "Thorneburry" type. Teale produced large rather thin badges which usually peeled off leaving the rivets in place. Usually there is one large gauze and a very large conical chimney.
Submitted By: David Barrie
Date: May 2006
