My Aladdin Lamp Collection: Model 21c Low (1963-1969)

 Introducing the 33rd vintage lamp in my collection...

Representing Model 21c: 
Low Boy (B-140)

The Model 21c burner was produced from 1963-1969. The burners were imported from England (Aladdin UK) and sold in America as the successor to the Nashville C burner. Similar to the Model C, the burners were used on various styles of cheaper aluminum fonts. 

Lamp Details
Model - 21c
Year Produced - 1963-1969
Font/Burner - Side Draft
Chimney - Lox-on

Model C Aluminum Lamp Styles
B-139 - Table Lamp

B-140 - Low Boy

B-165 - Watchman Font Lamp

My New Lamp
Much like my Model C aluminum lamp, this lamp isn't included on any favorite lists when it comes to my collection, however, it helps to complete my collection. My goal since I started collecting was to have 1 of every model, so, I can now check this one off my list. This is one of only a couple lamps in my collection that I got the font and burner from different places. In order to find good quality and a decent price, I ended up purchasing them separately. Generally, I like to buy the lamp and burner together to have a better likelihood that they were originally paired together.

Click here to check out my complete photo album for this lamp.

My Aladdin Lamp Collection: Model C Watchman (1955-1963)

  Introducing the 32nd vintage lamp in my collection...

Representing Model C: 
Watchman Font Lamp (B-165)

The Model C burner was produced from 1955-1963. The Model C burner followed the very successful Model B. The reason for the change was that all of the tooling for the Model B burner was lost in a flood. The Model C was designed rather quickly to have something to sell with lamps and was cheap to produce. Because of the quick and cheap production, the Model C is arguably the worst burner Aladdin ever produced. The lamps sold with these burners were also cheap and were made of aluminum (there are just a couple lamps not made of aluminum that were sold with Model C burners). 

Lamp Details
Model - C (American)
Year Produced - 1955-1963
Font/Burner - Side Draft
Chimney - Lox-on

Model C Aluminum Lamp Styles
B-139 - Table Lamp

B-140 - Low Boy

B-165 - Watchman Font Lamp

My New Lamp
I will be honest in saying that this lamp would not be a favorite of mine. I really only wanted it for my collection just to have a Model C. It fills a hole in the timeline and gives me a Model C burner for reference.

Click here to check out my complete photo album for this lamp.

My Aladdin Lamp Collection: Model 23 Designer Marble (1981-1986)

 Introducing the 31st vintage lamp in my collection...

Representing the Model 23 Designer Marble: 
Grey (A-4281)

The porcelain Designer Marble lamps were produced from 1981 to 1986. 

Lamp Details
Model - 23
Year Produced - 1981-1986
Font/Burner - Side Draft
Chimney - Lox-on

Model 23 Designer Marble Lamp Styles
A-4181 - Brown

A-4281 - Grey

My New Lamp
I've been looking to add this lamp to my collection for quite some time. It is very unique in that it is made of porcelain and not glass or metal. The design itself is so unique and beautiful. I don't care for the brown version so much, but the grey is gorgeous. When I would come across this lamp on eBay they were priced a lot higher than I thought they should be or they were the brown version, so I just couldn't pull the trigger. I haven't seen any at the Gatherings either. It's hard to tell what the value should be because the last price guide is so old. Perhaps, they are more valuable right now than what I think. 

I finally came across a couple listings for the grey version. The first one I saw was about twice what the price guide said the value was. I would have passed, but after adding it to my Watch List, I got a discount notice from the seller. Even though it was still too much, it was more reasonable and I thought I might have to settle for it because I was not seeing them any cheaper. I was going to justify it because it was New In Box, so it had all the parts and was never used. That would have been neat. I almost pulled the trigger, but I was going to be going to Florida soon and it would arrive while I was gone. I didn't want it to be sitting outside for days, so I decided I would wait until I got back, and if it was still there and could still get the discounted price, I would go for it. Well, I got back and was close to ordering it when I came across another listing! This one was about half of what the new one was listed at. It also looked like it hadn't been used, but didn't have the box or a chimney. Oh well, even though the price was still a little too high, it was the best I'd seen, so I didn't want to let it get away. I'm glad I didn't wait, and I'm so happy to add this one to my collection!

Click here to check out my complete photo album for this lamp.

My Lehman's YouTube Videos

Last year, I did several lighting videos that were published on the Lehman's YouTube channel. These videos have been doing really well in comparison to other videos on the channel. I was just informed that my video on general lighting has gone viral and was the most watched Lehman's video in 2024! As of 12/27/24 it has 78,720 views and counting!

Below are the three videos I did. I'm scheduled to do another Aladdin video in Jan. 2025.

My Aladdin Lamp Collection: Model 4 Parlor Lamp (1912-1913)

  Introducing the 30th vintage lamp in my collection...

Model 4 Old English Parlor Lamp (109)

Model 4 lamps are quite rare, being over 100 years old. The Parlor style of lamp was only produced for Models 1-4, and therefore, even more rare.

Parlor Lamp Details

Model - 4

Years Produced - 1912-1913

Font/Burner - Center Draft

Chimney - Heel-less

Model 4 Parlor Lamp Styles

109 - Old English or Jap Bronze

My New Lamp

I was so excited to find this lamp at the 51st Gathering in Peoria, IL! I was starting to think I was never going to find a Parlor Lamp for my collection. They are so hard to find! They were only made for Models 1-4 and were not as common as the Table lamps. I already have a Model 1 and a Model 2, so I really wanted my Model 3 or 4 to be a Parlor Lamp version. I haven't come across any 3s or 4s on eBay or at a Gathering, so when I saw this on a seller's table, I thought for sure it was going to have something wrong with it. Either it would be a 1 or 2, which I don't want to double up on (at least yet), or it would be missing parts or in bad shape. To my surprise, it looked completely authentic and completely intact. I compared the price to my price guide, and it was good! I stalled and questioned myself if I should go for it. I watched from our table as several people, and groups of people, went to that table, picked up THAT lamp and examined it closely. I thought for sure I was going to miss out. After a lot of deliberation, I decided to go over to the table and if it was still there, I was going to get it. 

I wasn't sure who the seller was as there were a couple different gentlemen hanging around that area. The first man I talked to said it wasn't his, but he knew he would be back shortly. We chatted about the lamp and he said it was a very good one and agreed everything was correct. He shared with me some stories of him growing up with the lamps and people he's met along the way. Finally, the seller, George came back and I told him I wanted the lamp. He explained to me how when he found the lamp, it was electrified. He found the correct parts to restore the lamp back to its original oil lamp variation. That explained why it said "restored" on the tag. It was so nice of him to go over the lamp with me. Aladdin people are just the best! Before leaving, he asked if I would be at the next Gathering, and I said "That's the plan!"

Click here to check out my entire photo album for this lamp.

My Aladdin Lamp Collection: Model 16A Australian Bakelite Family Lamp (1944-1952)

  Introducing the 29th vintage lamp in my collection...

Model 16A "Super Aladdin" Brown Australian Bakelite Family Lamp (1630)

There are several lamps that were produced and sold in countries outside of the US, specifically Australia and the UK.

Bakelite Family Table Lamp Details

Model - 16A Super Aladdin

Years Produced - 1944-1952

Font/Burner - Side Draft

Chimney - Lox-On

Model 16A Bakelite Lamp Styles

1605 – Brown or Cream Font Lamp (1944-1952)

1608 – Brown Wall Bracket Lamp (1944-1952)

1609 – Brown or Cream Personal Lamp (1944-1952)

1620 – Brown Hanging Lamp (1944-1952)

1630 – Brown Family Lamp (1944-1952)

1653 – Blue, Pink, Green, or White Contemporary Table Lamp (1950-1956)

1671 – Brown Standard Floor Lamp (1944-1952)

My New Lamp

I picked this lamp up at the 51st Aladdin Gathering in Peoria, IL. On the first day of the show, I stopped by Tom Sauro's tables before the show opened to find out what lamp he might have for me this time. We walked down his tables and this one caught my eye. I've kept an eye out for one, but they are hard to come by because they were not sold in the US. He had it marked for a good price, and I was sold.

Click here to check out my entire photo album for this lamp.

My Aladdin Lamp Collection: Model 23A Lehman's Exclusive Cobalt Bullseye (2013-2014)

 My New Lamp

Finding this lamp has made me so happy! I feel like it was a twice-in-a-lifetime chance. The first time would have been purchasing it at Lehman's when it was for sale back in 2013 and 2014. It was an exclusive made just for Lehman's! Unfortunately, I was not an obsessed collector at that time. Had I been, I would have snatched one up right away. Since that time, I have never seen one "in the wild" as they say. I have never seen one posted in the Facebook groups or at any of the Gatherings, for sale or for show. I thought I would never see one anywhere, and if I did it would not be for sale or I would somehow miss out on it in an auction or something. I don't know how many were made, but I have to think that it is no more than 200, but could possibly be even 100. I wish there was some way to find out, but it's not in any of our records. 

Totally out of the blue, I happened to see someone post it on one of the Aladdin Facebook groups. He was asking if anyone else had one. At the time, he didn't mention that he was planning to sell it. About a week later, I was even more surprised to see that he WAS selling it, along with a couple other lamps. By the time I saw the post, it had been up for at least a couple of hours. I messaged him right away and said I was very interested. I felt like the price he was asking was fair (only slightly more than what we had it listed for back in 2013/2014). It was even still brand new, never used and he still had the original box! I sent payment and he shipped it the next day! Thankfully, he double-boxed it with plenty of packing and it arrived in perfect condition.

The lamp is even more stunning in person! I only wish we could have more of them made. Several years ago, we requested the mold be sent to us from China. It was sent over on a container with other inventory and was said to have arrived at our Dalton warehouse. Unfortunately, no one claims to have seen it or knows anything about its arrival. China is certain it was shipped in the container of pallets we received. If it was, whoever received them probably had no idea what the thing was, and who knows what happened to it. It could have been discarded immediately, or stashed away anywhere in the dozens of rows of racking. When the warehouse moved to Hartville, we did end up finding things we didn't know we had that were Aladdin-related.

We got so hopeful about it being on one of those pallets, but unfortunately, it was not there. Again, if it was "discovered" by someone, it was likely that person had no idea what it was and it was likely tossed for scrap 😢. 

My Aladdin Lamp Collection: Model B Washington Drape, Amethyst Modification

 My New Lamp

This lamp was NOT on my list as I never knew it existed! It's not a true, valuable antique since it was modified. It is a Washington Drape with a plain stem, which was only produced as clear, amber, and green. Someone painted it the most beautiful amethyst purple and it is truly stunning! You would never know that it wasn't produced this way. Not only was the font painted, but so was the chimney! I've seen others done like this in either red or blue, but never purple. Not only is it purple, but it has an etched grape design! Tom said that it was done by Knight #1. For the life of me, I can't remember his name...will have to figure that out :). 

As with many of the lamps I've gotten recently, the way I acquired this lamp has an interesting story. It was at the 45th Easter Meet in Wooster. Prior to the show starting, we walked around to see what the other sellers had put out on their tables. Immediately, before we had gotten more than 10 feet away, I saw it...purple! I walked over and I knew I had to buy it! I didn't even know how much it was tagged for, but I think I would have paid almost anything for it. I picked it up and looked around, and guess whose lamp it was? My friend, Tom Sauro! Yet another lamp of his that somehow made it into my possession! Before saying anything, he said he'd give it to me for a price lower than the price on the tag. He's so nice! His lady friend, Carol Fanara asked to take a picture of me with the lamp because I looked so happy. 

For the rest of the show, I had the lamp behind our table for safekeeping. Later, a lady (wearing purple) stopped by and asked to see the lamp. Turns out, either Tom or Carol had told this lady that the lamp was going to be at the show, but apparently, I had beaten her to it! I was so glad I saw it when I did. I did feel a little bad and she seemed to make a joke of it at first...although she passed our table several times and every time, looked at the lamp and made a comment. I know she was disappointed she didn't get it.

When I got it home, it was like it was meant to be. It looked like it was made to go in my kitchen with my grape theme.

Click here to check out my entire photo album for this lamp.

My Aladdin Lamp Collection: Gathering Exlusive Fonts (2011-2024)

Gathering Lamp Details

Each year, the National Association of Aladdin Lamp Collectors, or the NAALC, presents a limited edition lamp font to sell to raise funds for the Gathering and other related costs. From 2011 to 2018, there were several 0500 Scallop Drape Footed Drape style fonts created in various colors. Another one was added in 2023 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Aladdin Gatherings. The 0500 mold appears to date back to 1940, however, the lamp wasn't put into production until 1955, coming with Model C burners. The original 0550s came in Alacite and clear, and did not have oil fills.

My New Lamp Fonts

I did not intend to start a mini collection, but, just like Aladdin collecting in general, it just kind of happened! Here is the story...

At the 48th Aladdin Gathering, in Louisville, Kentucky, I saw a particular font that I have been dying to add to my collection. I didn't really want to start getting any lamp fonts that didn't have burners, but this particular font was so interesting! It's a dark purple/blue carnival glass. It was something that we had in our warehouse to glue on the collars and filler collars/caps (which I somehow had forgotten about until I came across the pictures I had taken). I hadn't seen anyone that had this lamp for sale on eBay or at any previous Gatherings, so this was the first one. The catch with this one, though, was that it was being sold as a set...5 total Gathering exclusive fonts, as the one I wanted was part of a series. Well, when looking at what he was asking for them - all WITH burners - it was too good of a deal to pass up! This would be my first purchase from Tom Sauro, and it wouldn't end up being the last! From Tom, I got the following:

• Vaseline (2014)
• Ruby Red Carnival (2015)
• Passion Pink (2016)
• Hunter Green (2017)
• Amethyst Carnival (2018) - this one was my reason for getting the entire collection!

I knew there were at least a couple of fonts missing from this collection, so I was on the lookout for the rest. It turns out, I didn't have to look too far. About 10 feet away to be exact, just across from our Crownplace display table, I noticed one I was missing! It happened to be on the table of another collector I know, Fred Stevenson! He was selling it as a complete lamp, mantle, chimney, and all. I was able to convince him to lessen the price to just give me the burner to match what I had for the others. And with that, I was only one lamp short of the full collection. The font I got from Fred was:

• Royal Cobalt Blue (2011) - 285 made

The last lamp in the collection (at that time) was, seemingly, the most elusive of them all from 2012. That year there were 2 red lamps offered, the Pigeon Blood and the Art Glass Ruby. I would have taken either...whichever I could find first. 

Fast forward 1 year to the 49th Aladdin Gathering in Springfield, Missouri. We were getting ready to set up our table for the lamp show, and who did I run into? It was Tom Sauro. He immediately said he had something for me! I couldn't imagine what it was. To my total astonishment, it was the Pigeon Blood! We made the sale even before he could put it out on his table. I was so excited and shocked that he remembered that was what I needed and made a point to give me the first chance at it. I knew I was taking it home with me! 

• Pigeon Blood Ruby (2012) - 85 made

Fast forward again to the 50th Gathering in Peoria, Illinois. The NAALC went back to the 0500 mold for the 50th Anniversary lamp. Of course, I needed to get this one to complete the collection.

• Opal White (2023)

Now, I just hope they don't decide to add another lamp to this collection, because my lamp shelf is full!

Click here to check out my entire photo album for these lamps.

My Aladdin Lamp Collection: Model B Solitaire (1938)

 Introducing the 28th vintage lamp in my collection...

Model B White Moonstone Solitaire (B-70)

The Solitaire is highly sought after by collectors. There were only 1000 lamps produced in this style, and only one color - white moonstone. It has not been found in any printed sales literature and it has never been reproduced.

Solitaire Table Lamp Details

Model - B

Years Produced - 1938

Font/Burner - Side Draft

Chimney - Lox-On

Model B Solitaire Lamp Styles

B-70 – White Moonstone

My New Lamp

After adding the Cobalt Tall Lincoln Drape with Scalloped Foot, the Solitaire was next on my list. It is even more valuable than that one, so I wanted to make sure it was the right lamp at the right time. I've seen several for sale at previous Meets and Gatherings, but just couldn't pull the trigger. The 50th Gathering proved to be the right time. I made my rounds around the large showroom and the dozens upon dozens of lamps. All so beautiful and tempting! The first pass-through didn't have anything that jumped out to me. On the second time through though, I saw a beautiful Solitaire on a corner table. I picked it up and looked at the price. I thought there must be a flaw somewhere for that price, but I sure didn't see it. I set it down and went back to our table to think about it. It just seemed like too good of a deal to pass by. There was a second Solitaire from another seller that didn't look as nice and was listed for $800 more! Yikes! I pondered some more, and with some encouragement, I grabbed my checkbook.

I also knew this seller (Tom Sauro) and had bought several other lamps from him in the past, so I felt good about dealing with him. I made my way back to his table and coyly asked if the Solitaire was his and told him I was interested. His eyes perked up and he jumped out of his seat to grab it off the table for me. Without me asking him anything, he said he would sell it to me for $200 LESS than what he had it listed at!!! How awesome is that?! As I started making out my check, he said to make it out to Stewart Black (I guess it was actually his, but was selling it at Tom's table). He grabbed his table partner and introduced us. The man was Stewart's father, Dennis, who I found out used to be a U.S. Senator from Iowa. He proceeded to tell me that his two sons have each found a Solitaire out in the wild, and pulled out his phone to show me a picture of his one son with his lamp find at age 11 (I think)! His son, Stewart, took longer to find this one, but he was super proud of it. He proceeded to grab the lamp from Tom before he wrapped it and said he wanted me to look at something. I joked that he was going to show me something wrong with it now that I paid for it. He said he has seen many Solitaires in his day and this was the nicest one he has ever seen - not a mark on it. I think I got lucky! In another strange turn of events, we ended up sitting with Tom at the banquet, and after we sat down, Dennis and Stewart joined the table! It is always so neat to meet the previous owners of a lamp and to learn more about its origins.

Click here to check out my entire photo album for this lamp.