Objects Database

Lampwick

Accession Number

1069.2013.1

Object Name

Lampwick

Created

17/04/2013

Creator

Hermione Cooper

Accession Date

17/04/2013

Brief Description

Roll of lampwick

Materials

cotton

Dimensions

2.5(w) cms

Number Of Objects

1

Colour

white

Provenance

We suspect that not everyone reading this will know what 'lampwick' is, let alone its connection with mountaineering so we've included a photo, opposite, which should explain how a length of material wicks paraffin up from the reservoir of a lamp and is lit to produce the flame/light.
We'll turn to Geoffrey Winthrop Young and his 1920's book, Mountaincraft, to explain the mountaineering connection. Whilst discussing the use of an ice-axe for both ice and rock work, he makes the following observations:-
"A sling should not be needed to prevent the axe slipping from the hand while step-cutting.The hand must practise and learn its tenacious grip, even on an iced axe-shaft. For rock work,a sling is useful, allowing of the axe being slung back over the shoulder. Lampwick joined to make a circle of some 25 inches does well enough. The fixed hemp sling so often seen gets wet, gets left on because it is stiff to undo, gets cut during step-cutting, and breeds rust."
Having read that and having found this length of lampwick in the shed we couldn't resist making the connection.

Acquisition Method

Donated by Mick Tighe

Acquisition Date

17/04/2013

Condition Check Date

17/04/2013

Rules

Spectrum : UK Museum documentation standard, V.3.1 2007

Modified

17/04/2013

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