overall: 3 1/2 in x 6 in x 3 in; 8.89 cm x 15.24 cm x 7.62 cm
Object Name:
lamp, oil, mining
mining lamp
Object Type:
Patent Model
Description (Brief):
This oil-wick cap lamp is a patent model constructed by William Pratt of Baltimore, Maryland that received patent number 18704 on November 24, 1857. The oil-wick cap lamp was first invented in Scotland in 1850 and in use until the 1920’s. The font contained a mix of fat and oil for fuel, and a wick was inserted into the spout. The resulting flame was much brighter and more efficient than the candles it replaced. This lamp has a handle rather than a hook, indicating it was meant to be held rather than worn on a cap.