Help partial touchmarks on pewter oil lamps

ith&Co

CAPEN-
N.Y.
MOLINE-

 

Your second mark should be that of Capen and Molineaux of NY. Shown in Thorn with working dates 1848-1854. (Seems kind of short, but that's what it says.)

 

The first one may be Smith & Co. of Albany, NY. Again in Thorn with dates of 1853-1856.

 

Thank you

 

Any time, Terry. I don't get much use for this book, so it just paid off.

 

Smith should have been an easy guess

 

Well, I will admit that's where I started. But among all the Smith's there is only one entry with the name in an arc like yours.

 

Terry, looks like Baker came up with the makers. At the moment I'm no where near any of my pewter or antique lamp books. You probably know already but if not, the 1st lamp has a whale oil burner and the 2nd lamp has a fluid or camphene burner. Fluid burners do not extend down into the font while whale oil burners do. The dual fluid tapered tubes have evaporation caps.

Here is a Smith & Co. pewter whale oil lamp with the same touchmark as yours.
http://www.eldreds.com/sales/detail.php?itemID=105345

--- Susan

 

It's funny. In completeds, some burners alone have sold for more than whole lamps with the same burners in them.

 

Here is a Capen & Molineux camphene, burning fluid, lamp with a little history on C & M and differences between camphene and whale oil lamps.
http://www.wolfpewter.com/Lighting/American/AL10_CM_4.25.html

--- Susan

 

Hi Terry,
Some people need the burner and do not want to pay for shipping another lamp.
I did that with a box lot. There was only one piece I wanted out of 15. When I told the lady she could keep the rest or relist it she was shocked.
greg