Lamp, Bicycle

Object Name: Lamp, Bicycle

Object ID: 1982.070.01

Creator: Miller, EdwardManufacturer

Place of Origin: Meriden, CT

Description: Bicycle lamp. Carbide lamp, plated brass or copper, steel, and glass. Cylindrical carbide chamber at bottom with threaded knurled-edge cap. Bottom of cap has circular groove in it. Carbide chamber has small decorative groove at top edge. Two flattened semi-circular pieces that meet at a horizontal rib that make up water reservoir. Fill neck on side of water reservoir that is missing its cap. Bracket that is soldered and riveted to carbide body and water reservoir. Bracket has fancy wingnut that holds a machine screw that passes through its center and attaches to steel mounting bracket. Bracket on lamp has locking teeth to hold its position when wingnut tightened. Steel bracket that fastens onto bicycle that clamp around vertical post. Two decorative wingnuts that hold post-adjusting mechanism. Couple of swiveling wings on end of post bracket, purpose unknown. On top of water reservoir is a cylindrical section with holes around sides and front and there is an adustable lever arm on back that passes through horizontal slot. Five detents on top of slot to hold adjusting arm in a location. On top of this is a roughly spherical unit. On back of it is a hinged door with locking mechanism with push button in center to activate lock. Series of holes in star-shape on door. On right side of cylinder is faceted, red-glass lens mounted in a bezel attached to side of body. On opposite side is a green-glass, faceted lens. On front is a flared cone section with holes around edge and a rolled front edge. Clear glass lens, 2.5" in diameter held in place by a spring wire that fits into a narrow groove that is at front of lens. On top of burner are two convex, round sheet-metal covers that act as a vent for burner. Bottom one is attached to top of body and second one, the convex area faces upward and is supported by three riveted arms. Series of small holes in center of top vent piece. Stamped design and writing in top piece. In center is raised script: "Majestic". Around outer edge raised: "MADE IN U.S.A." On other side: BY EDW. MILLER & CO." Also stamped on lamp is text above adjusting spot that is raised characters: "OFF WATER VALVE -- ON".

Material: Metal
Glass
Copper
Brass
Steel

Dimensions: H-7.9 W-3.3 D-7.9 inches

Provenance: Acquired by donor as part of his scrap metal business in Concord, NH. Source unknown.

Credit Line: Gift of Hyman H. Wittenberg

Subjects: Lamps, Bicycling

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