MNQS #1 Request Shout Out!

 One of the greatest and coolest things to ever happen to me!

Some background information...

MNQS stands for Monday Night Quancert Series. A musician named J.R. Moore started a Facebook live series in 2020 at the beginning of the COVID pandemic. Musicians could no longer perform live in front of crowds, so, while stuck at home, many decided to make the most of it and connect with fans by doing Facebook live events. J.R. started doing them every Monday night and one of his followers coined the term "Quancert" meaning quarantine concert. It stuck. 

I found J.R. when he posted the links to his band's Facebook page. His band was Ingram Hill, which I loved (and still do!). I didn't know the individual members until this time. Little did I know that he is one of the funniest, coolest, most down-to-earth human beings. Unbeknownst to me, he has somewhat of a solo career as well another band known as Allen, Mack, Myers and Moore. Once I found his quancerts, I've watched every one since. 

He does some of his own songs, his bands' songs, as well as so many covers. I love it all! He's extremely talented. You can tell he has such a good time performing for us, otherwise he wouldn't have continued them for as long as he has. He cracks himself up often, but the live chat can really get him going as well. Many have dubbed themselves "The Jerks" because there's a lot of good-natured ribbing, but it's all in good fun. 

One thing he gets accused of is never granting requests. While they are few and far between, it does happen. That's where the story of the coolest things to happen to me begins. He put out a post a few days ahead of his next MNQS saying he was going to do a show of ALL REQUESTS! I thought I would put in my suggestions, even though I was sure there was no chance of him actually picking any of them, no matter how good they were because I'm invisible. He would "talk" to members in the chat, but never addressed anything I ever said. If you know me, you know it is VERY difficult for me to pick a favorite song. I'm always afraid I'm going to forget something really good. It's so hard to rank one better than another. So, I ended up sending like 30 songs!

The night of the All Request night came and I was so sure that in the 13 or 14 songs he chose, that there just wouldn't have been room for anything I suggested. Well, I couldn't have been more wrong! He got about halfway through and started to announce the next song. He said he couldn't believe it had taken him so long to play this song, but he loved it. Before he knew it, he said it was one of MY songs!!!! He joked that I "came in hot" with so many suggestions! At this point, I think I blacked out...and thank goodness you can go back and watch these videos because I didn't hear anything he said after that. My heart was beating so fast and my face was burning red with excitement/embarrassment. But he didn't stop there!!! He said he loved all my choices and that they weren't like all of the really common ones he gets all the time like "Free Bird", "Jesse's Girl," and "Brown Eyed Girl". My work had paid off! I know we have very similar song taste (aside from the Country) because he picks so many songs I like to cover. I specifically picked ones that I thought he would sound amazing on and weren't ones he's ever done before. He said when he got to this song, he knew this was the one. I was DYING to know which song it was! And he still wasn't done with the compliments...he said "Lori Showalter, you won the night!" OMG! I could have just died! And, I still didn't know which song it was! When he FINALLY got to playing it, I could not have been more shocked! It would not have been my guess, the way he went on about it. I'm actually shocked he even knew the song!

It was "Cough Syrup" by Young the Giant!!!

He sang it so well, and he was so totally himself through the whole performance at the end, which makes me so happy to have it recorded and to go back and watch it. He even did the thing where he stops at the end and then kind of stares at the camera, and then does a final strum on the guitar. He gave me another shoutout for the great song choice and laughed at everyone who commented that they were like chopped liver with their requests. He said he was sorry to those who felt a little "booty hurt" about their requests. He said not all of their song suggestions were crap, just some of them. He still wasn't done and gave me yet another shoutout! I commented thanking him for choosing my song and how I usually go unnoticed and invisible. He saw it and specifically said I wasn't invisible and was glad I enjoyed his performance. And if you thought he was done, he wasn't! He AGAIN said how great my song list was and said it was a little intimidating, but it was a good list! OMG! I died. When stuff like that never happens to you, you have no idea just how exhilarating and exciting it is when it finally does happen!

I recorded the whole segment on my phone because I wanted to be able to watch it whenever I wanted and didn't want it to ever disappear. I can't tell you how many times I listened to it, I couldn't get enough of it. 

My Aladdin Lamp Collection: Model 1 (1909-1910)

Introducing the 26th vintage lamp in my collection...

Representing the Model 1s: Nickel Table Lamp (101)

The very first Aladdin, the Model 1 was produced between 1909 and 1910.  They were the result of the Charles E. Wirth's patent applied to the Plume & Atwood (P & A), and was the American version of the Practicus.

Nickel Table Lamp Details

Model - 1

Years Produced - 1909-1910

Font/Burner - Center Draft

Chimney - Heel-less

Model 1 Lamp Styles

101 – Nickel or Brass Table Lamp with or without 201 Opal Shade
102 – Nickel or Brass Font (Store or Fount) Lamp
103 – Nickel or Brass Hanging Lamp
104 – Nickel or Brass Hanging Lamp with Shade and Smoke Bell
105 – Nickel or Brass Wall (Bracket or Fount) Lamp
106 – Brass Oil Pot
108 – Brass or Bronze Parlour Lamp with Green Cased Shade
110 – Brass Student Lamp

My New Lamp
I finally got one! The very first Aladdin, Model 1! So exciting! This is the first and only Model 1 I have seen on eBay. I thought my chances of getting it were next to none. After checking out all of the pictures and researching in my books, it appeared that the only issue the lamp had was the flame spreader. Original Model 1 flame spreaders are very hard to find. This one appears to have a reproduction because of how new the brass looks. Normally, I would wait to find a lamp that had everything original, but for this rare find, I made an exception. The starting bid was over $100 below the book's low price, so I thought it would be worth it. The lamp is complete with the reproduction flame spreader, so I'm still pretty happy about that. If I can manage to find an original flame spreader, I think the price I will have in the lamp will still be well within the range of what it is worth.

From the outside, the Model 1 font looks very similar to that of the Models 2-6, and even the 9-11 (if seen with the burner on). The difference and idenifying feature can be found in the center draft tube. Most center draft tubes are completely open. The tube of the Model 1 has a small pin and tiny brackets, or support, holding it in place. This supports the button flame spreader. Another identifier is the single low crease in the inner wick tube is specific to the Model 1.

The gallery looks like the Model 2, but a good idenifier is the imprinted marking on the side, which is PAT. OCT. 13 '08. Early Model 2s had this as well, but it should be present for a Model 1. I believe I have a later Model 1 as the gallery does not have the hole on the side for the very early cap mantles, and the holes around the cone are closed if you look at them from the bottom.

The burner basket is also similar to Model 2s. The back of the wick raiser knob is blank, which is a good indication that it is a Model 1. Some 2s are also blank ("Made in USA" is missing). Mine is blank, so that is a good sign. The only problem with my burner basket is that the knob and post appear to be missing the set screw :(. That's too bad, but the knob still works to raise and lower the wick, so I'm happy about that. Although I can't seem to get the wick and wick raiser to come completely out. I don't want to pull too hard and not be able to get it back in. My Model 2 slides right in and out with no problem, so I'm not quite sure what is preventing this one.

Another cool thing is the wick that came with the lamp. It appears to maybe be an original. It has a blue thread running down the center. I can't tell what word is printed in red on the wick, but it could be "Sunglight" because I can tell the last letter is a "T". I've read that this most likely would be original to the burner.


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

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My Aladdin Lamp Collection: The "VertiLincoln" (2019)

The 47th Aladdin Gathering was such a blast! I'm so glad I had the opportunity to go! For only the second time ever, we offered Mix-and-Match glue-ups. The first time was for the Wooster Meet in April and it was a big hit. Collectors had the opportunity to pick a bowl and a pedestal of their choice - color and style, plus nickel or brass hardware to create their very own, hand-picked lamp creation. The best part was the opportunity to see their lamp come to life before their eyes, as Chuck glued it up for them.





I really wanted to take part in this awesome opportunity, and I wanted to make my choice before we opened our table to make sure the parts I wanted weren't sold out. I had thought about it for a few days, but I knew I was going to have to try everything out in order to make my choice. I kind of thought I wanted something vaseline because I don't have any of that in my collection yet. I also thought I might want something cobalt, because I don't have anything cobalt in my collection yet (still waiting on that Cobalt Scalloped Tall Lincoln Drape). Since there was only a vaseline foot (no bowls), I started with that one...and it was the ONLY one we had. We had a couple different cobalt bowls - one from the Grand Vertique and one from the Alexandria. I grabbed the Grand Vertique first, I tried that on top. Bingo! It was beautiful! Cobalt was the only color we had that would look right on the vaseline foot. Emerald Green and Honey Amber would do absolutely nothing for it, and would look terrible. I didn't even think to try the cobalt Alexandria. I loved the way these two pieces looked together and I was sold, this was it. Everyone else agreed that they were really digging it. I'm calling it the "VertiLincoln", combining Grand Vertique and Lincoln Drape :). It kind of just slipped out as we were trying different names, and it was so funny but really kind of had a ring to it.

My piece is going to have some interesting history. Technically it was "born" in 2019. However, the pedestal is marked "2012" (all modern Lincoln Drapes have the date imprinted on the bottom). The bowl was made for the Cobalt Grand Vertique Signature Series Lamp that debuted in 2018.

I made sure to take some "before" pictures, and I told Chuck that I wanted to take some pictures of him making it, and I even did video on part of it, too. How cool, to have my own one-of-a-kind lamp that I designed, and watch it being built. I had Chuck sign my certificate, so I think I have a really cool story to go with this awesome souvenir from the Gathering. I can honestly say that this is the only lamp like this in the world. I took the one and only vaseline foot, so no one else at the Gathering could make the same combination that I did.

We also had fun making a "tree" lamp for Jenni, made of an Emerald Grand Vertique bowl and Honey Amber Grand Vertique foot. It ended up being the talk of the Gathering when matched with a "throw-away" shade no one liked on its own, but when paired with the lamp was simply perfect! Jenni and I repaid Chuck for our lamps by putting together a lamp for him and his wife. That was so much fun!

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My Aladdin Lamp Collection: Model 9 (1920-1922)

Introducing the 25th vintage lamp in my collection...

Representing the Model 9s: Nickel Hanging Lamp (914)

The Model 9 was produced between 1920 and 1922.  The Model 9 is very similar to the Model 10 and Model 11. There were only a few slight differences between those models. To the untrained observer, they look identical, with the exception of the wick raiser knobs and flame spreaders, which each feature the Model number.

Nickel Hanging Lamp Details

Model - 9

Years Produced - 1920-1922

Font/Burner - Center Draft

Chimney - Heel-less

Model 9 Lamp Styles

900 - Nickel or Satin Brass Table Lamp

903 - Nickel or Satin Brass Font Lamp (used in Wall Bracket (904) and Hanging Lamps (914))

My New Lamp
I was really excited to add this lamp to my collection. I've been looking for an early model hanging lamp for quite some time. All my others have been table lamps, and they all look very similar.

My particular lamp appears to be a later version, because the knob design is the later of the 2 versions. 

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

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Aladdin Lamp Sighting in "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee"

Another Aladdin lamp sighting! This time, in the movie "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee". This movie is about the Indian massacre at Wounded Knee. This is another example of Aladdin lamps being used in a time period prior to their existance. The lamp in the medical office appears to be anywhere from a Model 1 to a Model 6, or possibly a Model 9-11.

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My Aladdin Collection: Model 5 (1913-1914)

Introducing the 24th vintage lamp in my collection...

Representing the Model 5s: Satin Brass Table Lamp (101)

The Model 5 was produced between 1913 and 1914.  It is often considered a transition lamp because these lamps are often found with parts from the previous models 3 and 4, and later lamps may have parts that would go on to be used on the Model 6. 

Satin Brass Table Lamp Details

Model - 5

Years Produced - 1913-1914

Font/Burner - Center Draft

Chimney - Heel-less

Model 5 Lamp Styles

101 - Nickel or Satin Brass Table Lamp

My New Lamp
I was really excited to add this lamp to my collection! I'm slowly but surely filling in the blanks of the earliest lamps that I'm missing. Unlike later models (A and after), the early numbered models of lamps, there are only a couple options to choose from. All of my early lamps so far have been nickel, so I was excited to find one in brass. The Style 101 lamps all look very similar, with only slight, minor differences, so having one in brass adds some much needed variety to my collection.

This lamp is quite interesting.  Most of the components are that of the earlier version, however there are a couple parts that are common on later versions. All components that match either the 3/4 or the 6 are known as being original to the Model 5 lamps.

• Inner Wick Tube - 1 piece with a single hole which is common on early fonts
• Chime - flat chime is common on early fonts

Inner Wick Tube

Font - notice flat chime around the middle

• Burner Basket - pattern that matches Models 3/4
• Air Distributor - 2 pieces that matches Models 3/4

Burner Basket

2-Piece Air Distributor

• Gallery - pattern that matches Model 6
• Wick Raiser - matches Model 6

Gallery

Wick Raiser

My guess is that the wick raiser is not original, simply because the rest of the lamp seems to be of the earlier version. Because wick raisers (or carriers) were very difficult to reload with a replacement wick, the replacement wicks were actually sold pre-mounted in the wick carrier. If the lamp was actually used (which there is no reason to believe it wasn't), it is obvious that the wick would need replaced at some point. In years following, the Models 3, 4, and 5 carriers were eliminated and the Model 6 carrier was used as the replacement for all of those models. At some point, I would like to find a Model 5 wick carrier, but for now, my lamp still has all of the parts that are known to be found on Model 5s, so I'm OK with it. It is also likely that the gallery wasn't original to the lamp either. The original may have gotten damaged or lost at some point, and the Model 6 was used as the replacement. With that said, later Model 5s were sold with what would become the Model 6's gallery, so I consider it OK for my lamp :).

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

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My Aladdin Collection: Model B Apple Green Corinthian (1935)

Introducing the 23rd vintage lamp in my collection...

Representing the Model B Corinthians: 
Apple Green Moonstone (B-111)

The Corinthian lamps were produced from 1935-1936. Corinthians are often confused with the Cathedral lamp because at quick glance, they look very similar. Novices may not pick up the differences (especially if you don't have the two side-by-side to compare), but there are actually quite a few. 

L - Corinthian, R - Cathedral

3 key differences:

• Corinthians have a metal connector between the bowl and the foot, and Cathedrals do not (this is the most obvious, dead giveaway)
• Corinthians' bowl ribbing is concave, Cathedrals' bowl ribbing is convex
• The base of the Cathedral has a row of beads around the bottom, while the Corinthian base is a little more plain

L - Corinthian, R - Majestic

One thing I didn't realize until getting my Corinthian is that the bowl is the exact same as the Majestic! This is very easily seen by comparing my 2 lamps that I happened to choose in the exact same color. 

Corinthian Lamp Details:

Model: B

Year Produced: 1935

Font/Burner: Side Draft

Chimney: Lox-on

Corinthian Lamp Styles:

1935 (ribbed/scalloped connector)	1936 (plain connector)
B-100 - Clear Beta Crystal B-101 - Amber Beta Crystal B-102 - Green Beta Crystal B-110 - White Moonstone B-111 - Apple Green Moonstone B-112 - Rose Moonstone	B-103 - Clear Beta Crystal B-104 - Clear over Black Beta Crystal B-105 - Clear over Green Beta Crystal B-106 - Clear over Amber Beta Crystal B-114 - White Moonstone B-115 - Jade Green Moonstone B-116 - Rose Moonstone B-124 - White over Black Moonstone B-125 - White over Green Moonstone B-126 - White over Rose Moonstone

My New Lamp

Whew! It has taken me quite awhile to add this particular lamp to my collection! I've been on the hunt for quite some time. It's not necessarily a rare or hard to find lamp, but I just couldn't quite find the right one. First of all, as you can see above, there are a lot of different styles of Corinthians. The glass ones are by far more popular than the moonstone ones. When I would see what I was looking for, there was always something wrong. For some reason, some were priced way higher than what they were worth. Others had something wrong with them: either really horrible looking burners or burners missing galleries, or there were chips in the glass. Finally, I came across this one, and I can now check the Corinthian off my list.

I decided to go for a green moonstone one based on value, looks, and variety of color within my collection. Had I realized that the bowl on the Corinthian is the exact same as the Majestic, I might have chosen a different color, but I'm still happy with it. It also really helps to see the similarities because they are the exact same color.

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

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My Aladdin Collection: Model B Clear Washington Drape (1943)

Introducing the 22nd vintage lamp in my collection...

Representing the Model B Washington Drapes: 
Clear Crystal, Plain Stem (B-53X)

You may recall a recent post featuring my Emerald Washington Drape. You may also recall that I've said that in order to stop myself from going completely overboard, I was limiting myself to 1 lamp per style. Well, I have just broken that rule...but with good reason! That reason is...I didn't pay anything for this one! More on how I obtained this lamp later.

View from the top

The Clear Beta Crystal, Plain Stem Washington Drape was produced from 1941 to 1953, and it is easily one of the most common and recognizable lamps because it was made for some many years. However, this particular lamp is special because it was made without a fill cap. That's right! In order to fill the lamp up with fuel, you have to unscrew and remove the burner. There are several Aladdin lamp styles that don't have fill caps - the Genie and Genie II are other examples. So why were some Clear, Plain Stem Washington Drapes made with a fill cap and some without? Well, I've learned that during WWII, they wanted to preserve brass. As a result, they eliminated the fill cap and also used a steel wick raiser. I think, from what I've been able to research, that it was only produced like this in 1943. All other Washington Drapes, of all styles and colors, come with a fill cap. This makes those without it much more rare than the others, and therefore more valuable.

The Clear, Plain Stem Model B also just so happens to be the last glass Model B to be produced, and it was the longest running style of Model B.

Washington Drape Lamp Details:

Model: B

Year Produced: 1939-1953

Font/Burner: Side Draft

Chimney: Lox-on

Washington Drape Lamp Styles:

Round Base (1939)	Filigree Pedestal (1940)	Bell Stem (1941)	Plain Stem (1941-1953)
B-39 - Clear B-40 - Green B-41 - Amber	B-50 - Clear B-51 - Green B-52 - Amber	B-47 - Clear B-48 - Green B-49 - Amber	B-53 - Clear w/ fill cap B-53X - Clear w/o fill cap B-53P - Clear w/ Pink B-54 - Green* B-54E - Emerald Green* B-55 - Amber*

*Colored Plain Stems were only made in 1941-1942, only the clear was continued through 1953.

My New Lamp

I was extremely lucky to be able to attend the 46th annual Aladdin Gathering in Peoria, Illinois! As a first-timer to the Gathering, names were drawn to pick a lamp that was donated. My name was drawn about mid-way down the list. There were several Clear, Plain Stem Washington Drapes, a couple Model 12s, and something else with a weird-looking shade that I'm not sure what it was. When it was my turn to choose, there was a Model 12 and a couple of the Washington Drapes left. I already had a Model 12 exactly like what was there, so I knew I wanted to go with a WD. I looked at both burners, and one of the burners/galleries looked to be in better condition, and I was all set to go with that one until the Bright Knight, Bill Courter himself (who was the main speaker to our first-timer's meeting, and was standing nearby), leaned in and mentioned that the other lamp was missing the fill cap. I knew right away that this was rare, and I immediately changed my mind! So, thanks to Bill for the helpful insider tip! I knew about the existance of these lamps without the filler cap, but I had forgotten and I wasn't even paying attention to that, so I'm very happy he was kind enough to point that out to me...and not to someone else! I definitely think I got the best deal :)

If you remember my post about my Emerald, I specifically said that "I knew that I didn't want a clear one, simply because they are all too common, and colored lamps are just more attractive." Oh well! It's another one added to the collection now. So, while this lamp wasn't one on my "list" of wants, I'd say it's a neat one - with a cool story both about its creation, and in how it made its way into my possession...for free!

So here is the pair:

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

UPDATE: 9/24/19

After a member of the Aladdin Facebook group posted about their lamp and the fact that theirs came with a steel wick raiser, my interest was piqued to look into mine a little closer. I wasn't sure what my wick raiser was. It looked a little different than my other Bs, but didn't really look like what I thought a steel wick raiser would look like. Someone mentioned to try a magnet on it. Duh!!! Why didn't I ever think of that?! This appears to be the absolute best way to determine brass or steel. So, I got a magnet and tried it. The result? It didn't stick. It was brass. I didn't really expect to get that lucky. I mean, how many could there be out there? Only a fraction of a percentage of all the B wick raisers (if that), I would think. I decided I better check all of my other B lamps...just in case I would get lucky. Just in case one of the lamps...that were all made before the Clear Washington Drape...would have had the wick raiser swapped out at some point. So, I got started. No luck with my Emerald Washington Drape. Next, and sitting right beside my Clear Washington Drape, was my lovely Ruby Beehive. I pulled the magnet out and...IT STUCK! Like, it REALLY stuck! There was no doubt. There was no mistaking it...it had to be steel! How incredibly exciting! Who knew...that sitting RIGHT NEXT to each other for over a year! I never would have thought of the magnet, and I never would have thought to check all of my other lamps had it not been for that random Facebook post. I couldn't be happier! So, needless to say, I swapped wick raisers between those two lamps. My lamp is now officially complete and worth more now that it has the all-important steel wick raiser.

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Aladdin Lamp Sighting in Deadwood

I know, I'm so late in joining the Deadwood bandwagon, but that's how it goes when you don't have HBO. I'm all the way into the 3rd season, and I've been looking and looking at all of the oil lamps that are in every single scene, and had yet to find one. BUT, lo and behold, in two back-to-back episodes, I think I spotted 3. Now it makes me want to go back and rewatch to see what I missed!

If you aren't familiar, Deadwood depicts Deadwood, South Dakota in the 1870s. Quick history lesson: the Aladdin lamp was invented in 1908. All of the lamps I found happen to be wall lamps, which are not usually as common as table lamps. Unfortunately, the lamps were always way in the background and often out of focus, so it was hard to get a good look at the entire lamp and get a good picture of them.

The first ones I noticed were 2 matching brass lamps in the Gem saloon. I am almost positive that these are Deluxe Brass Wall Lamps. It is a lamp that we still currently sell, though the design is based on a style that goes all the way back to at least the Model 3. The wall plate on the bracket looks a lot like what we sell, and I've seen a similar design that goes back to at least the Model 6. The first thing that caught my eye was the base with the holes, and then I saw the wall plate. From far away, you can see that the chimneys are taller than a standard oil lamp. There could be a faint hint of a mantle inside, but I just couldn't get a good enough look to tell for sure. The close-up in the second picture shows the burner pretty well (unfortunately, the camera never panned up high enough to see the whole thing). From certain angles, the knob appears to be octagonal, which would suggest a Model 23. This would have been the current model during filming, but way too new for the time period. But then again, Aladdins hadn't even been invented yet, so any lamp would be too advanced for this time period.

My Aladdin Collection: Model 23 Limited Edition Eddie Bauer American Classic (1982)

Introducing the 21st vintage lamp in my collection...

Representing the Model 23 American Classic: 
Eddie Bauer Limited Edition w/ Canadian Geese (EB)

The American Classic lamp was produced from 1980 to 1990. The original American Classic features a flower decal on the same white font. There were 2 variations: a 3-flower daisy and wheat, and a 4-flower daisy and wheat. A special edition was created in 1982 specifically for Eddie Bauer stores only, that features a Canadian geese decal.

Lamp Details
Model - 23
Year Produced - 1982
Font/Burner - Side Draft
Chimney - Lox-on

Model 23 American Classic Lamp Styles
C-6104 - American Classic w/ flowers
EB - American Classic w/ Canadian geese, Eddie Bauer

My New Lamp
Normally, I would probably pass on a lamp like this since I already have a couple different Model 23s. However, what appealed to me about this particular lamp, is the fact that it is a limited edition...that just so happened to only be made in the year that I was born. I just thought that it would be pretty cool to have a piece of Aladdin history that I can actually pinpoint to the specific year that I was born :) (I know...NERD ALERT!)

The bottom of the lamp is engraved with "Aladdin" (similar to my Genie II) and still features an original sticker (similar to my Genie). I read that stickers were placed on lamps during this period because the number of Aladdin dealers was very few and far between.

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

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