Flame Spreaders and "Smoke Consumers"
from Alex Marrack

alexmarrack@mypostoffice.co.uk

Articles by Alex Marrack:
Centre Draught Oil Lamps English and European Models
The L&B Lamp Belge or Belgian Lampe

Flame spreaders for many excellent lamps have become lost over the past century, and original flame spreaders are almost impossible to find.  Alex Marrack in England makes reproduction flame spreaders which are virtually identical to the originals.  With his flame spreaders you can get some of those fabulous old lamps working again!  The basic lamps for which Alex makes flame spreaders are the Vulcan, Imperial, Veritas, Lampe Belge (as made by Lempereur & Bernard, sold in the US as ''The Belgian lamp," sold in the UK as "Lamp Nationale" or LM), Hinks Annular, Messengers Annular and Youngs Court.

I am listing the flame_spreaders made by Alex Marrack as a courtesy:  I am in no way connected with Alex in any business arrangement.  I do this because I love to see old lamps working again.  Without Alex's flame spreaders, my 1884 B&H Imperial/Vulcan, 20''' Veritas and my L & B 20''' table lamp would not be in working condition, period - there is no other source for these parts.  If you get Alex's flame spreaders, you will need the proper chimneys.  Those I have available here - new chimneys custom made in the US from borosilicate glass. 

For more information, contact Alex Marrack directly via e-mail.

Vulkan Spreaders,  Globe Vulkan, Central Vukan, ( also fits equivalent sized Imperial burners in the US). 16''' 18''' and 24''' sizes. 16''' and 18''' £19.50.   24''' £24.00 .

 20''' Veritas... £17.50 50 cp. (20''' size) Lampe Belge (as made by Lempereur & Bernard. sold in the US as ''The Belgian lamp", sold in the Uk as "Lamp Nationale" or LM - Lewtas Manchester.. £16.50

45 cp (20''' size) Hinks Annular / Round wick burner...£14.00
54 Cp (20''' size) Messengers Annular / Round wick. This spreader also fits the 20''' size Lampe Belge, marked "In Lux Way" on the winder (Made in the UK by Midland Lighting Co). Also fits ENGLISH 20''' Juno lamps (but NOT American ones)
 £12.50
 20 ''' Youngs Court. (if the lamp has an extinguisher ask for the extinguisher model)   £12.50

Many of the lamps were made in excess of 120 years ago and there were many variations of the lamps at that time.  It is best to contact Alex before ordering any flame spreader to make sure you are ordering the correct one for your lamp.  He is the expert:  ask him!

 

Notes on ordering flame spreaders from Alex Marrack. 

P&P is £3.00 per package, airmail, worldwide.  Insurance extra if required

NO Returns. I will help you to ensure that you get the right spreader for a lamp. You need to help me to help you !

If you are familiar with lamps, have worked with the specific type regularly and KNOW what you have, go ahead and order. If your 'knowledge' is based on "what the dealer said", or "what it says on the winder", then beware, you probably need assistance.

Key pitfalls.... lamps are often electrocuted.  Just because the lamp didn't have a bulb socket in it when you got it doesn't mean that it has not been electrocuted in the past... typically the spreader-support is ripped out and the inner wick tube shortened. .... Sellers often bodge burners onto the wrong fount, so a spreader to suit "what it says on the winder" wont fit the support which is part of the fount..

If you want a spreader then I assume you wish to light the lamp.. if so CHECK that the lamp doesn't leak by filling it with fuel and leaving overnight. Then check that the wick winder works properly. Saves you buying a spreader for a lamp you cannot then use.

alexmarrack@mypostoffice.co.uk

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"Smoke_Consumers" from Alex Marrack

All the old catalogues listed 'smoke consumers', usually made of mica on thin metal or wire legs.. they were sold as a cure for smoke marks on the ceiling, they stir up the 'exhaust' and so diffuse the column of heat. The mica ones are fragile and so rare. mine are stainless steel and pretty tough, with brazed legs, adjustable to most chimneys.


In stirring up the exhaust column the red hot centre 'core' is mingled with the cooler outer layers. Unstirred the centre 'core' will set fire to a piece of white copy paper up to ten inches above the lamp in under a minute. With the consumer you can hold your hand safely 5 or 6 inches above the chimney top. A lamp burning on a table for an hour or two can damage electric light fittings and ceiling finishes above, and I've seen a hole charred in the wooden ceiling of a canal boat by a small cosmos lamp which was nearly 2 feet below !.

The consumer also significantly reduces the dust falling into the lamp when not in use, and keeps your wick clean.

Not to be confused with the pierced brass "chimney toppers" sometimes seen on ebay.. these are in fact cosmos shells turned upside down with a knob added, and are found on fake candle lamps. Put one of those on an oil lamp chimney and you'll choke off half the draught. Mine give full chimney flow, as did the originals

Made in two sizes, 2&1/4 inch diameter for Duplex and smaller lamps, and 2&5/8th inch for larger lamps, up to 30 line or Aladdin. Either size £7.50 each "

Alex

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