Every single local source that I've tried has been sold out... I can't find an alladin lamp or petramax lamp anywhere.

-- Joseph Williams (delta14@cedargrovepolice.net), May 20, 1999

Answers

Joseph,

I know that the Leacock Coleman Center in Lancaster, Pennsylvania just got a shipment in of Aladdin lamps. Call John Lapp at 717-768-7174 and see if he has any Aladdin lamps to sell you. You might think about getting model number B2301 which is the basic brass lamp without a shade. I have no affiliation with the Leacock Coleman Center and will not benefit by the sale of any lamps from them. However, I feel that they are decent people and their prices are among the lowest going prices on Aladdins. And you can tell them that Stan Faryna said so.

You may want to order an extra mantle and chimney, but there is no need to get too many of these (unless you and yours are very careless). As for lamp oil to burn in your Aladdin (should you get one), you should be able to pick up Ultra Pure Lamp Oil (manufactured by Lamplight Farms) from Walmart or somesuch. It is kerosene, but gives off almost no smoke and fumes. Just a little (sometimes) when you first light the mantle. Good luck in your search for Y2K light!

Sincerely, Stan Faryna

-- Stan Faryna (info@giglobal.com), May 20, 1999.

Joseph. Go right to the source!!

www.PETROMAX.com

I just got my order in from them and the lanterns are INCREDIBLE!! They are gorgeous and burn almost any type of fuel.

The lady there (Diana) is really nice and helpful.

-- Rosana Bachus (rbad@eclipse.net), May 20, 1999.

* * * 19990520 Thursday

Joseph,

From a January post to this forum, try this site:

http://www.web-comm.com/petromax

I'm getting "Not Found" ... could be a temporarily interrupted link.

I have several of the Petromax lanterns and stoves. They're expensive, but worth the price. We had an 11-hour power outage ( severe storms! ) Monday night. ( I couldn't keep the Petromax lantern from over "flaming." Singed a few hairs. I'll have to re- check the instructions. ( IMHO, they aren't very good instructions. )

Check out flea markets, gun shows, Y2K Preparation expositions ( lots around these days! ), Surplus stores.

Do it NOW!!

I wish you well ...

Regards, Bob Mangus * * *

-- Robert Mangus (rmangus@hotmail.com), May 20, 1999.

One solution is to look at antique malls and stores for the older models. Aladdin makes replacement parts for even their earliest models. If you call the Aladdin Co. they have a list of 3 stores in different parts of the country that specialize in carrying these replacement parts. The one near me in Sebastopol CA has several antique aladdins, and also carries other kinds of kerosene lamps. I've gone there several times and really gotten an education about the history of lamp development, what to look for in flat-wick kerosene lamps, etc.

It's late and I can't put my hands on the Aladdin Co. phone number, but perhaps someone else has it?

For new lamps, also try the Ace hardware network. They have a 75 year relationship with the Aladdin Co. and are preferred suppliers... they probably will only have the glass base kind. My local Ace manager tells me these lamps are going up to $99.99 June 1, so you are wise to be looking now. (current prices range from 59.99 to 69.99 when you can find them around here.) Prices for all parts will also probably go up 10%-30%.

Seraphima

PS The cheapest lamp oil I have found was at Walmart at 2.99 for a half gallon. Lately my nearest Walmart isn't stocking it b/c it is a seasonal item. I do know Walmart will order it for a group in bulk; one group in Boston got 50 cases of 5 gal ultrapure and Walmart paid the shipping.

PPS One quart of lampoil burns 12-14 hours in an Aladdin. How many hours of lamp burning are you planning for?

-- seraphima (seraphima@aol.com), May 20, 1999.

The url that can't be found was the original petromax site. The new one at www.petromax.com is much cooler.

-- Rosana Bachus (rbad@eclipse.net), May 20, 1999.

our Walmart has cheapo chinese kerosene lamps for $7, plenty in stock

-- Gus (y2kk@usa.net), May 20, 1999.

Here is a link to: Good Pickin's

They sell Aladdin lamps. Their prices have gone up but they seem to have the stock.

Ray

-- Ray (ray@totacc.com), May 20, 1999.

Chubby & Tubby in Seattle. They have a lot in stock. And about any thing else you need to prepare also.

-- Cherri (sams@brigadoon.com), May 20, 1999.

V & O LANTERNS - BURNS KERO, LAMP OIL, CITRONELLA, LIQ. PARAFFIN FUELS, 10 OR SO DIFFERENT SIZES, 800 621-7337 FAX 800 752-4713 THEY ARE ROUGHLY $15 - $20 PER, THESE GUYS AND DEITZ LANTERNS ARE ALL I COULD FIND IN MY SEARCHING, I BOUGHT EXTRAS IN CASE NEIGHBORS OR OUTLAWS WANT TO CAMP IN MY TENT. GOOD HUNTING!

-- BOB T. (RGT350@AOL.COM), May 20, 1999.

CONCERNING ANTIQUE ALADDIN LAMPS

Going for an antique aladdin lamp may be an overly expensive matter. I suggest you get the PRICE GUIDE and join the Aladdin Knights so that you don't get fleeced. More importantly... many of the glass type antique lamps are fragile two pieces (font and pedastal were glued together) and they may come apart if you burn them... which may result in a fire hazard or broken lamp. Some antique Aladdins may require a long time to heat up and if heated too quickly, may crack. Be careful.

Sincerely, Stan Faryna

-- Stan Faryna (info@giglobal.com), May 21, 1999.