Don’t you just love hurricane lamps like this one in space #333 (priced at only $39) … It’s at the Midtown Mercantile Merchants antique mall here in Tucson.

There is something about these lamps that is just, frankly, romantic. For example, just the thought of a hurricane lamp could give me the first lines of a novel I might write one day … “Reading his letters by the shimmering light of a hurricane lamp she felt alone and desperate. Would he ever come back to her?” 🙂

A hurricane lamp is a special lamp designed to work in high winds because it has a tall glass chimney that protects the flame from being blown out. It was invented in 1780 by Francois-Pierre Aime Argand, the son of a Swiss watchmaker. This style of lamp can be a candle lamp, an oil lamp, or today, electric in the decorative style of a hurricane lamp. (Like the one in space #333.) Often used on ships they are also known as a storm lantern. The oil based model usually has an adjustable knob to raise and lower the wick in order to adjust the light. 

One style of hurricane lamp is the “Gone With The Wind Lamp”, named after the Academy Award winning movie. This lamp will usually have a fancy top and bottom, which is often hand painted.  

Some people collect hurricane lamps which can be quite interesting as they have varied in style over the years. If this interests you come on in the mall as we usually have a few that our merchants have gleaned from estate sales, etc.

Carol Fenn 2-2017