The Scottish Mountain Heritage Collection
670.2008.1
Lantern
16/12/2008
Hermione Cooper
16/12/2008
Swiss folding candle lantern with mica windows in cotton bag. Bag has press stud flap to close and a small side pocket for a candle.
cotton, metal, mica
19(l) x 12(w) x 1(d) cms.
1
"HT 52" stamped on base.
silver, brown
Excerpt from Mountaineering Art by Harold Raeburn.
"The best Alpine lantern is the square folding Italian lantern called the Excelsior Lux Those made of tin, though rather heavier, are better and give less trouble than the aluminium.
The small three-cornered Swiss folding lanterns are not good. The insufficient air-space inside causes the candle to melt and waste rapidly, unless a very small candle is used, when the lantern becomes inefficient. The holes for the admission of air can be partly closed in a high wind ; if dry, by pieces of stamp-paper or insulating tape ; if wet, a handkerchief may be sacrificed to save the candle from wasting or blowing out. The hardest obtainable candles should be used. Ordinary wax candles last a very short time, and will give annoyance by dropping through the holder."
This rare Alpine lantern was purchased by Mick Tighe from an antique shop in the Rhone valley, Switzerland.
Purchased by Mick Tighe
16/12/2008
28/04/2009
Bohuntin
Bohuntin
Spectrum : UK Museum documentation standard, V.3.1 2007
28/04/2009