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Post by rhpd42002 on Jun 10, 2012 14:10:11 GMT -8
OK guys, I need some help here. I picked this lantern up at an "antique" place my wife and i like to visit every now and again. Based on the stamping on the top of the lantern, I'm guessing it was once a Reading RR lantern. If anyone can help clarify this for me I'd appreciate it. RDG Co LOCO DEPT  LOCO DEPT  RDG Co    And where it will reside for a while. Above the Jack Daniels whiskey barrel.   |
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Post by umtrrauthor on Jun 10, 2012 17:43:30 GMT -8
It looks genuine to me, but there are a LOT of "authentic reproductions" (?!?) out there as well. I would try checking with the Reading experts out there, probably through the Anthracite Railroads Historical Society... www.anthraciterailroads.org |
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Post by Paul Cutler III on Jun 11, 2012 7:17:15 GMT -8
While I can't tell you much about the Reading and their lanterns, I do have several Dietz Vesta lanterns for myself.
Obviously, this is a well worn piece. It looks like it's been dropped vertically as the base is not squared up (it sits crooked). The carry handle is also looking a little squished. Some careful bending will take care of both issues if you're of a mind to do it.
Most importanly, the lid is not properly fastened. That little eyehook-looking item under the lid shown in Picture #5 is supposed to go on the inside of the wire basket surrounding the globe, not the outside. You can kinda see that the lid is not all the way down on the globe in that same picture. The lid will snap in place with some authority once you get it on there.
Lastly, I can't quite make out what it says. I don't think it says, "LOCO DEPT" as there appears to be an extra "C"? It's weird... And does the globe have anything cast or etched into the glass at all? Most RR's would have either one done, and this (plus the stamping) is where fakes are usually made. A plain Dietz Vesta isn't worth all that much, but stamp a famous RR into the lid and etch the same RR on a globe, and now it can be worth real money.
A friend of mine collects these, too. If the paint is toast, he strips them, and then just oils the metal every so often. Otherwise, dull silver spray paint will do.
And for the record, the value of the globe also depends on color. Clear is common, then it goes red, yellow, blue and green as the most rare and most valuable in order. Green is the most rare due to it's very limited use on RR's. Only a few certain situations called for a green lantern (no comic books required!). The normal place for a green globe would have been for the rigger of a railroad crane to signal the crane operator. This was because as green was so rare, the crane operator always knew who his rigger was at a wreck scene that could have a hundred employees walking around (all with other color lanterns, however).
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Post by rhpd42002 on Jun 11, 2012 15:00:23 GMT -8
Paul, the extra letter C, is actually a tab that is inserted into a slot between the LO and CO, making it look like another letter c.  I had to look pretty closely at that. Also, in pic #1, if you look to the left of the letter L of the LO, you'll see the mirror image of the tab & slot, cut into the lid. I'll have to look more closely at the eyehook and see if I can get it inside the wire basket. It is pretty beat up. What makes this somewhat different than most lanterns I've seen, is that the bottom comes off, in order to fill the tank, rather than having a fill cap on the side. The red globe only has Dietz Vesta New York USA as part of the glass casting and opposite that, there is also cast into the globe, what looks like an elongated letter C or horseshoe shape, with smaller letters mx inside the C or horseshoe. One other thing I found interesting, is that all the lettering on the lantern is "raised" or "embossed" vs. being stamped into the metal from the top. The chimney has the embossed Dietz Vesta inside an oval and New York USA is also embossed on the chimney lid. Not sure if that helps any in determining "authenticity". Even if not "genuine" I do like the way it looks. |
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Post by Paul Cutler III on Jun 12, 2012 7:23:36 GMT -8
Mike, I'd say it looks pretty authentic as a "railroad" lantern. As to whether it's a Reading Co. one? I'll leave that up to the RDG experts. The globe also sounds authentic as a generic red Dietz Vesta. And I see what you mean about the tab...no wonder it looked weird. The "embossed" lettering, BTW, is the normal style for these. I prefer using unscented kerosene for my Dietz Vestas, but scented oils are available. It can be fun getting these to work if they've been abused or sat around too long. I had to buy wicks and cut them all down to fit as they were all too wide. And don't forget to soak the wick in the oil after you've installed it dry...otherwise it won't stay lit for long. BTW, the lantern will work much better once you get that lid down tight. You don't want air leaks, nor a stiff breeze to put it out. Just remember to adjust the wick again after the lantern warms up (a warm lantern burns better than a cold one). You don't want to see any smoke coming from the flame (mainly because it's going to soot up your globe and waste oil, too). Oh, and to put these out, simply release that eyehook catch, pop the lid open, and then blow across the top of the globe (I dunno if you've ever used a lantern like this, so please forgive me if I'm telling you something you already know). Of all the railroad lanterns, the Dietz Vestas show the most light, IMHO, and are my favorite to use. The burner and tank dropping out of the bottom (and the lack of a fill cap), is rather the rule than the exception in all railroad lanterns. |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 12, 2012 11:19:56 GMT -8
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Post by rhpd42002 on Jun 12, 2012 17:37:16 GMT -8
Jim & Paul, thanks for the additional information. I've got many an oil/hurricane lantern, but this will only be my only "real"" RR lantern. I have another that looks much like a RR lantern, but I don't think it was ever used on a RR. I appreciate the info on putting it out, as I was trying to figure out the best way to do it, since it doesn't work quite like the typical hurricane/oil lantern. It's definitely a keeper and I guess I ought not to be hanging it outside.  |
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I had to look pretty closely at that. Also, in pic #1, if you look to the left of the letter L of the LO, you'll see the mirror image of the tab & slot, cut into the lid.