Objects Database

Optimus 80 Camping Stove

Accession Number

1539.2020.1

Object Name

Optimus 80 Camping Stove

Created

26/06/2020

Creator

Hermione Cooper

Accession Date

26/06/2020

Brief Description

Small brass Optimus 80 camping stove

Materials

Brass

Dimensions

12.5(H) x 8.5(Diameter) cms

Number Of Objects

1

Inscription Description

"OPTIMUS MADE IN SWEDEN 80"

Colour

Gold

Maker

Optimus

Object Production Place

Sweden

Provenance

Rather confusingly the Optimus 80 and the Primus 71(an example elsewhere in the collection) are pretty much identical; both companies are Swedish and both (2020) have ceased to exist in their original form, having been taken over, several times, by various holding companies hoping to make a quick buck.
Anyway, the Optimus 80 first appeared back in the 1920’s and was very popular. It ran on unleaded petrol, sometimes known as naptha, which caused problems in the UK since most petrol was leaded in the early days and tended to block the jet. The stove could be primed with a little bit of spirit in the bowl, heated by a candle (dodgy) or by simply wrapping hands round the bowl. A small pressure pump could also be bought that plugged into the filler cup.
Most early brass stoves had the maker’s name embossed on the tank which often gives a clue to its age - later versions had stick on decals which saved money in the manufacturing.
The one we have here would seem to date from the 1950’s and was salvaged from a load of scrap headed for the skip - unfortunately there was no tin to go with it.

Acquisition Date

26/06/2020

Condition Check Date

26/06/2020

Rules

Spectrum : UK Museum documentation standard, V.3.1 2007

Modified

26/06/2020

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