Collecting

A collection of US blow lamps.

If you want to start collecting or if you already are a collector but want to know more about the subject of blow lamps, I strongly suggest that you join a collectors club.

Here are some known organisations:

France

Club des Amateurs d´Outils Anciens à Flammes
7-9 rue de Quatrefages
75005 Paris, France

USA

The Blow Torch Collectors Association
3328 258th Ave.SE.
Issaquah, WA, USA

England

The Blow Lamp Soceity
c/o Les Adams
Stacombe Farm
Doccombe
Moretonhampstead
Devon TQ13 8SS, England

Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland

If you are from any of the Nordic countries, or if you can communicate in Swedish, you can join our organisation for collectors of not only blow lamps but also pressure lamps, pressure stoves etc:

FörgasarFöreningen
c/o Hans Thörnblad
Munkhagsgatan 2
SE - 647 30 Mariefred, Sweden

The easiest way to join is just by clicking on the link below:
Yahoo! Groups forgasarforeningen

What should I collect?

There are numerous alternatives. You can choose to collect only one make of blow lamps, all makes from one country, one type of blow lamp, one seize, all blow lamps of a special age, etc.

The biggest known collection consists of around 3000 blow lamps.

Where do I find them?

Try the local flea markets, car boot sales, garage sales and country auctions. This is where you can find the unusual ones at reasonable prices. Antique shops are another source but the price you pay will normally be higher. On the Internet you can find blow lamps (mostly American) on eBay (go to Links). You can also trade or buy from other collectors.

How much should I pay?

This unusual, spider looking, blow lamp is made by Downey, USA and comes complete with box, operating instructions, spare parts and tools. A rare find.

Depends on how rare it is, the condition and in the end - how badly you want it. Normally I would pay around $10.00 for a blow lamp of 1 litre seize and in good condition but sometimes more and sometimes less.

The prices on eBay give you a good guideline. There, a rare blow lamp in excellent condition can fetch up to $300.00

In what condition is it?

This is a short checklist that might be useful:

• Are all parts there? This is very important, as it is very difficult to find replacement parts.
• General condition? Dents, scratches etc are very common but be aware of bad repairs.
• Are all original markings readable? Are original stickers and decals readable?
• Is the original packing available? Instruction manual? Tool kit?

The table below gives you some guidelines on how you can rate the condition of the blow lamp.

The rating is done from a functional and original point of view instead of a purely decorative view.

Rating

Condition 5
	Fully restored to the original condition or in new, unused condition. Fully functioning. No dents or scratches. All markings and decals must be fully readable. Decals and stickers undamaged. All parts must be original. Original packing, tool kit and spare parts kit should be available.
Condition 4
	Fully restored to the original condition or very good used condition. Fully functioning. Minor dents and scratches acceptable. All markings and decals must be fully readable. All parts must be original or same as original.
Condition 3
	Fully functioning. Some dents and scratches. All markings and decals must be readable. All parts are there but some can be non-original.
Condition 2
	Normal used condition. Functions or can be made functional with small means. Dents and scratches but no cracks or holes. Some minor repairs. Markings and decals not fully readable. All parts are there but some can be non-original.
Condition 1
	Bad condition. Does not function and can not be restored with reasonable means. Major dents and scratches. Markings and decals not readable. Parts missing or non-original. Could only be scrapped for parts or used for some other means.

How old is it?

Patent date, stamped on a blow lamp made by Detroit Torch & Mfg. Co., USA.

To determine the exact year of manufacture of a blow lamp is nearly impossible without studying the catalogues of that particular make.

The exception is the Swedish manufacturer, Primus which started in 1911 to use a date code (normally stamped at the bottom of the tank but sometimes on the side) which makes dating very simple.

Patent dates can also give you an idea of the age, but many manufacturers continued to stamp the original patent date long after the patent expired.

Below is a very rough chart that can be used for a very basic dating of many European blow lamps.

1890 - 1920
	Adjusting knobs and pump knobs made of wood. Steel handles with cane insulation. Pump handles with string insulation.
1920 - 1940
	Adjusting knobs and pump knobs made of Bakelite. Wooden handles or steel handles with perforation. Pump handles with corrugated brass insulation.
1940 - 1960
	Adjusting knobs of steel and pump knobs made of brass. Steel handles with perforation. Pump handles with corrugated brass insulation.
1960 - 1980
	Adjusting knobs and pump knobs made of plastic. Markings with stickers and decals. Pump handles with plastic insulation.

Should I restore and polish them?

This, I'm sure, will be a never-ending discussion among collectors.

Personally, I believe that they should be in a working condition. This normally means a complete dismantling of the blow lamp for cleaning and to replace some seals and gaskets etc. When everything is apart, the additional job to polish it is not that great so that is what I do on most of my blow lamps. Normally it takes a full day (and sometimes more) to restore one blow lamp. But I must say that they look nice afterwards.

If you want to know more about polishing, you will find useful links to websites on this subject on the Links page.

On the other hand, some other collectors believe that they should be kept as they are found.

In the end it is your blow lamp and you should do as you want.

But please, do not convert it into an electrical table lamp!

Learn more about your blow lamps!

Clayton & Lambert catalogue from 1948		Barthel spare parts catalogue.		A French catalogue from Fouilloud & Cie

Another area of blow lamp collecting is literature like catalogues, brochures, ads and other publications about the manufacturers and their products.

These items are more difficult to find than the product themselves and many collectors like myself find this the most interesting area of blow lamp collecting.