In Pieces...: My Aladdin Colection: Model C (Brazil) Diamond Quilt Glass Table Lamp (1974-1975)

Introducing the 16th vintage lamp in my collection...

Representing the Brazil Model Cs:
Diamond Quilt Glass Table Lamp (#C-734)

The Diamond Quilt Model C was produced between 1974 and 1975 in Brazil. The Model C from Brazil is one of 3 Aladdin models that has an octagonal wick raiser knob. It is different from the U.S. Model C (which has a round knob), and states: "Aladdin MOD. C IND BRAS", which stands for "Industria Brasileira".

The Model C was quite a change from the very popular, and arguably the best Aladdin burner ever. A flood in 1955 destroyed all of the tooling for Model B burners, and because of that, the Model C was born. Most Aladdin lamp users will agree that the Model C is the worst burner Aladdin ever produced. There were so many changes from the Model B burner, but the most noticable is probably the gallery. The Model B gallery center is raised and filled with tiny holes. The Model C gallery is raised only slightly in comparison, and is completely solid, resembling a dome of sorts. On the inside, the wick raiser is also completely different. It slightly resembles the wick raiser we are used to with the 23 and MAXbrite but is attached differently, and is quite a change from the wick carrier that was used for Models 9, 10, 11, 12, and B prior to that.

Diamond Quilt Glass Table Lamp Details

Model - C (Brazil)

Year Produced - 1974-1975

Font/Burner - Side Draft

Chimney - Lox-on

Model C (Brazil) Lamp Styles

C-164 - Glass font shelf lamp

C-734 - Diamond Quilt glass table lamp (all glass, rare)

C-734 - Diamond Quilt glass table lamp (glass font w/ steel foot, common)

My New Lamp

I won a lucky bid on this lamp! It is basically brand new, never been used, with the original boxes! Plus, it came with 2 extra wicks, 2 extra mantles, a tripod, a wick cleaner (a version I've never seen before), and original lamp and wick instructions! I paid basically what the lamp is worth and basically got everything else for free (about $70 value for the extras). I'm so glad I waited for this lamp, because I've come across several, and all of them had pretty tarnished bases and the burners didn't look like they were in great shape. Not the problem with this one, that's for sure! It's beautiful! Not only that, but seeing the original boxes with Portugese text and instructions is pretty neat. The main outside box has seen better days, as it looks like it has some pretty severe water damage, but the rest are all pretty good, considering it is 40+ years old. In trying to determine exactly what year my lamp might have been made, there aren't too many options (1973-1975). However, the included mantle boxes are stamped with dates on the inside. Unfortunately, there are multiple dates: one from September 19, 1973 and two from July 26, 1974.

Someone in the Aladdin group that I'm a part of on Facebook - literally just today - posted about potentially buying this exact lamp. Someone commented with a little history on this lamp that I found kind of interesting. Unfortunately, there really isn't any way to verify this (it's not in any of the books and I didn't find anyting by Googling), but this is what they said:

These lamps were made to use on boats on the Amazon river! A couple of cases were sent to the USA by accident! The stem is that shape to go into standard holes in the boat rails.The bottom of the base was fitted with a magnetic plate to stick it to a metal shelf. Because the lamps were broken and knocked overboard so often is why all the metal parts are made of enameled porcelain on steel so they could be retrieved the river, from the boat with a magnet on a string. The boys they were using to fish them out were tired of fighting off piranhas over lamp parts.

True or not, it's still a really neat lamp. I checked the bottom, and it is indeed magnetic! It is not very strong by any means, but there was some attraction there. I love the diamond quilt design on this font. The combination of glass and metal is pretty unique. There are a couple glass moonstone and metal combinations, but nothing quite like this clear glass and shiny metal foot.