Lamps & Lighting

Lamps of every type, from the early oil-burning Betty and Phoebe lamps to the recent electric lamps with glass or beaded shades, interest collectors. Fuels used in lamps changed through the years; whale oil (1800-1840), camphene (1828), Argand (1830), lard (1833-1863), solar (1843-1860s), turpentine and alcohol (1840s), gas (1850-1879), kerosene (1860), and electricity (1879) are the most common. Other lamps are listed by manufacturer or type of material.