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Fantastic and very rare, ca1880’s, Railroad Conductor's "Bell Bottom" Presentation Lantern with early, cut glass globe. This outstanding, nickel plated brass, bellbottom lantern measures approx. 10" tall (not including the original, oversize bail handle) and is 5 1/8” in diameter at the bellbottom base. The globe is very thick (3/16” or more) and has cut (or "wheel etched") decoration in the form of a wreath on one side with the name "G. H. Williams" at the center of the wreath. On the opposite side of the Globe has cut decoration in the form of the Masonic symbol of a compass and square surrounding the letter "G". The only markings on the Lantern is the number "3" at the very center of the bottom and "E. Miller & Co. / Meriden" on the thumbwheel of the burner. Although we are not Railroad Lantern experts, we believe that the Lantern was manufactured by the Steam Gauge & Lantern Company of Syracuse, New York (I'm hoping my good friend Tom - i.e.: fixedglode - will see this listing and reprimand me if I am mistaken). When we originally purchased this Lantern, we were told by the seller that it was a "Masonic Lantern" but we have learned that the Masonic emblem was included on the Lantern because Railroad Conductor Williams was also a Mason. The lantern is in very good condition - it is intact, sound and complete with original globe and burner. It retains its large and sturdy bail which would fit around the Conductors arm while he collected tickets. The Lantern retains a significant amount of what appears to be original, green paint over the nickel plating. We are not sure if this type of Lantern ever had “original paint” but these remnants sure look original to the lantern. There are some areas where both the paint and the nickel plating have worn off and the brass can be seen (see the scans below. The glass globe is in excellent condition clear and intact with no cracks, chips, roughage, discoloration, repairs or damage of any kind. The upper rim is rounded and smooth and the lower rim shows the slightly rough surface typical of 19th century glass that has been hand blown. Again the globe is very thick and heavy. The lantern retains its’ original font and burner. The only damage to the Lantern is a tight, 4” crack in the bell bottom just below ring of air holes that circle the Lantern above the base. This crack cannot be seen when the Lantern is placed on any surface but when the lantern is lifted, one can see light through the thin, tight line (see the scan below). The crack has never been repaired or tampered with in any way - in fact the Lantern is “as found” in a Southern New Hampshire estate. It is a recent find and fresh to the market. We are not Railroad Lantern experts but believe that this lantern dates from the 1880’s and that it is quite rare and desirable. A beautiful, 19th century Railroad Conductor’s Presentation Lantern with Masonic wheel etched decoration and a fantastic addition to any collection!!
Overseasshippping is extra and cost will be quoted at bidders request. Massachusetts residents must add 5% sales tax. Insurance is required on all items selling for $100 or more and optional on items selling for under $100 (but highly recommended) and not available on International Shipping.
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Important Notes about Shipping Charges and the eBay "Detailed Seller Rating" Star System:
The amount quoted for Shipping & Handling is calculated by eBay and is equal to the EXACT amount charged by the Post Office plus a $1.00 "packing fee" - the $1.00 fee is our only compensation for the virgin packing materials we use on all of our professionally packaged boxes as well as our cost for the salaried help that does most of our packing - as I am sure you can see, we make NO profit on the Shipping charges and, in fact, our costs are usually greater than the $1.00 fee.
We have NEVER requested Feedback from our customers as we were taught that "fishing for compliments" was impolite but the new eBay Detailed Rating System has put us in a rather tight spot. Most buyers are unaware that eBay bases a monthly fee discount on a Seller's "Star" rating. A monthly average of "4.6 Stars" (in any one of the four "Star" categories) costs us approximately $400 in additional eBay Fees - that's $400 above what we would pay if we had a "4.8 Star" average in all 4 "Star" categories!! As a consequence we hope you do not find us rude to ask that if you are happy with our items, our service, and our packing & shipping please be sure to use the "Star" rating system and remember that a "5 Star" rating is the only way we can qualify for eBay's fee reduction program. ,
ATTENTION FRIENDS!!!
We are pleased to announce the start up of a second weekly auction by WALNUTTS2!!!
The next generation of NUTS have decided to take a crack at listing some of the hundreds of items that we have accumulated over the past 28 years.
Click Here to See What WALNUTTS2 is Offering in this weeks Ebay Auction!!
Rest assured that WALNUTTS2 will be offering the same high standard of customer service and 100% unconditional satisfaction guarantee that you have found here in our weekly auctions.
The "young'uns" will be starting off slow as they learn the ropes but we ask that you support them as you have supported us over the past 10 years!!
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On Aug-31-08 at 10:47:32 PDT, seller added the following information:
PLEASE READ THIS IMPORTANT NOTICE!!!
eBay has announced a new policy that attempts to force all buyers to use Paypal exclusively when buying on eBay. Sometime in late October eBay will no longer allow us to mention the fact that we will accept checks or money orders as forms of payment (we will be prohibited from mentioning this in our listings or invoices under threat from eBay of being banned from the site).
WE WISH TO STATE THAT WE WILL ALWAYS ACCEPT PAYMENT BY CHECK OR MONEY ORDER!!!
Under this new, highly restrictive policy, it will be necessary for our buyers to request that we accept their check or money order payment but rest assured that even though we will be prohibited from stating this in our listings, WE WILL ALWAYS ACCEPT CHECKS OR MONEY ORDERS AS PAYMENT FOR ITEMS PURCHASED AT OUR WEEKLY eBay AUCTIONS AS A SERVICE TO THOSE CUSTOMERS WHO ARE UNCOMFORTABLE WITH ELECTRONIC PAYMENT SERVICES!!!
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