Objects Database

Midland Lighting Two Flame & Seamless Spirit Stove

Accession Number

1181.2014.1(a-b)

Object Name

Midland Lighting Two Flame & Seamless Spirit Stove

Created

26/11/2014

Creator

Hermione Cooper

Accession Date

26/11/2014

Brief Description

Two little Midland Lighting spirit stoves

Materials

brass

Dimensions

a-11(diameter) x 5(h) cms b- 8.5(diameter) x 6(h) cms

Number Of Objects

2

Inscription Description

a - "THE SEAMLESS STOVE RGD NO. 170420"
b - "TWO FLAME SPIRIT STOVE REGD. TRADEMARK IN "LUX" WAY"

Colour

gold

Maker

Midland Lighting

Object Production Place

Birmingham

Provenance

We've put these two lovely little spirit stoves together since they both come from the same era (circa 1890) and were both made by the Midland Lighting Co. of Birmingham who specialised in making cooking stoves, lamps and kettles from 1887 through to 1905.
The Seamless Stove has a registration number 170420 which indicates that it was made in 1891 and we suspect the Two Flame was made at, or around the same time. They both bear the ' in lux way' motto which was Midland's trademark. Both stoves run on methylated spirit and whilst the Two Flame has a removable top allowing for a full flame or simmer capability - hence the name - the Seamless is either on, or off, with the lid working as the extinguisher.
This type of stove was often used for camping and picnics though another use was in hotels where the stoves would be used to keep food warm at the table - the gentle heat being ideal for sitting under a metal container. It's also worth remembering that the world's first paraffin pressure stove, the Primus, wasn't invented until1892, so spirit stoves were still state of the art in the 1890's.
Mick Tighe bought the Two Flame on e-bay for £4 in 2014 and his pal, Don Matheson, gave him the Seamless as a present around the same time.

Acquisition Method

Donated by Mick Tighe

Acquisition Date

26/11/2014

Condition Check Date

26/11/2014

Rules

Spectrum : UK Museum documentation standard, V.3.1 2007

Modified

26/11/2014

Go Back