This is just a sample of the many antiques we have sold. Click link to see other Sales Archive Pages on this Site.
We can help you sell quality Mining Related Antiques Contact Us.
For further info on consigning / selling your antiques
with us please see our FAQ page,
the
Appraisal / Selling Page and the
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Your Collection Pages.
Our current offering of Antiques for sale are at our sister Website Patented-Antiques.com.
Miner's
Oil Wick Lighting Devices These mining related lighting
devices were used in mines before the advent or introduction of carbide lamps and
then the electrical lighting that came after. Prior to the introduction of
these oil wicks, mines were mostly lit by candle light held in what are known as
miner's candlesticks or "sticking tommies". We live right in the heart of
California gold mining country, and at times the small towns that dot the Sierra
Foothills all around this area had populations of tens of thousands during their
heyday, only to be deserted and left nearly empty a short period later when the
gold ran out. Given that, one might assume or expect there to be more artifacts
related to this Gold Rush era to be found here, but that is not the case and in
general this area has pretty much been sucked dry of most pieces related to its
early mining history. The majority of the mining related artifacts that we
have in our collection, a portion of which we are offering for sale here, were found
in the southern part of the Midwest, near the coal mines there, or on the East Coast.
This collection of oil wicks are all in very good condition. Most are marked
with some sort of manufacturer's ID. The variations that can be found included
ones made of copper, brass, and cast iron in addition to steel / tin. Some
have patented features to allow for air flow or for cleaning, etc. There
are hundreds of variations available so this collection is by no means complete,
but is a very good start or addition.Good + . . . . . SOLD!
Carbide Lamp Collection Here is an interesting grouping of mining related
Carbide Lights and a couple other mining related lights for use in mines back near
the turn of the century. The two "Davey" style lamps are included in this
collection because they are the only ones I have ever bought that I felt were early
enough or different enough from the standard ones that I always see available.
I have split the mining related collections into 4 distinct groups to keep buying
these groups more manageable. There are significant discounts offered for
quantity purchases of these different groupings, and premiums to be paid if there
is just one item that you want to buy out of the group. The different groupings
will include the Oil wicks, my Carbide Lamps and other lighting devices, the Candlestick
selection I have gathered over the years, and finally the dynamite cap tins that
I have available. I do have a couple Dynamite boxes listed for sale back on
the main site at the Misc. Category Page found here as well as a few pairs of dynamite
related pliers . I am looking to sell each of these groupings as a whole instead
of going through the trouble of finding individual buyers for each object.
I believe that I have them priced attractively enough to make this happen.
We shall see.......Good + . . . . . SOLD!
Miner's
Candlestick Lighting Devices These mining related lighting
devices were used in mines before the advent or introduction of carbide lamps and
the electrical lighting that came after. There are hundreds of variations
known, and I am always looking for new or different ones.Good + . . . . . SOLD!
3
New York Blasting Machine Co. #2 Blasting Boxs These are a small blasting box and measures
approx 5 x 7 x12. The one on the right and left in the pics above are
#2s, andthe middle one is slightly bigger and is a #3. The name plate
on the front is in good condition. The condition is very good on all
and they seems operational, but I could not get anyone to hold onto the ends when
I pushed on the plunger.Good + . . . . . $295.00 / ea. SOLD!
Wells
Fargo Order Receipt Books
These
two order receipt books date from just before the turn of the century. One
of them is full of revenue stamps, while the other just has the listings and locations
in the order takers handwriting. There are locations given from all over the
Motherlode and these give an interesting glimpse into the feel of the area during
the end of the rush for riches here in the Motherlode.Good + . . . . . $125.00 SOLD!
Miners
Lunch Pail w/ Built in Heater Light This is a
rare mining or Miner's lunch pail that has a built in oil wick light to not only
light the way, but to also help keep the miners lunch warm. I have
only seen a couple of these in 25 years of looking. There are a couple of
other designs that are similar pictured in Pohs book on mine lighting. .
Good + . . . . . $295.00 SOLD!
DuPont Sesquicentennial Edition Blaster Handbook
In case you need a refresher or even beginners guide to using the
machine above, or other aspects. I did not see a chapter on fertilizer
and diesel, you will need to look elsewhere for that recipe.
Good +. . . . . $45.00 SOLD!
Miners Koehler Safety Lamp
A nice looking miners safety "Davey" lamp for the display. Good . . . . . $65.00 SOLD!
American
Safety Lamp & Mine Supply Company of Scranton PA / Safety Lamp
This
Davy style safety lamp is marked differently on the cap than the mining
light of the
same basic design seen above. This American
Safety Lamp & Mine Supply Company Miners lamp has been cleaned, and is in very nice
overall condition. A nice looking lamp ready for display or the
mine related collection. Excellent . . . . . $295.00 SOLD!
Hughes
Brothers / Scranton PA
Safety Lamp This
miner's safety lamp is marked with the Hughes Bros. name and Scranton PA location around
the base. The bottom is a pinched waist design, and that area is
engraved with a fellows name in a flowing cursive script. The overall condition of this mining light is very
nice It stands
approx 10" tall This early Hughes Brothers of PA mining light / safety lamp has been
carefully cleaned
and is ready for display in the mining related collection. Excellent . . . . . $395.00 SOLD!
2
Miners Lunch Pails These miners lunch
pails are both in pretty nice condition and make for a nice display.
They illustrate how miners or other workers of yesteryear dealt with
lunch period. I will bet it was not an hour, and that there were no
martinis stashed in the top. What life was like for the common guy
before fast food became the norm.
Left .... Good+ ..... $110.00 SOLD!
Right ..... Good+ ..... $75.00 SOLD!
Studebaker Wheelbarrow
The story of how John Studebaker at the age of 19 came to Placerville,
California looking for gold and instead began a business making
wheelbarrows can be found on numerous sites on the internet and
elsewhere. Finding an original Studebaker wheelbarrow is a different
matter altogether, and even finding pictures of original ones can be
difficult.
Well here is one in the flesh, and a once in a lifetime opportunity to own it. This wheelbarrow is not to be confused with later mass produced examples, this one dates from the 1850's and its construction details with through mortises and tennons attest to that. I do not have any actual documentation, but when compared to Studebaker's early work and other wheelbarrows you can see in a couple of museums online this one is a pretty good match. Overall it is in fine condition noting one of the removable side boards is not complete. It is sitting up on a shelf where additional pictures were hard to take, but if interested I will get it down and take better ones for you. This can be described in three simple words, and it deserves to be in a museum---whether that is run by the State or in your private barn does not matter. Rare ----- Rare ----- Rare
Click for Pic Click for Pic Click for Pic
Good+ . . . . . . $4500.00 SOLD!
George
Stephenson
"Geordie" Safety Lamp / Mining Light The
only marking on this unusual mining lamp is J C B in a triangle on the lip
by the top bonnet. I could find no reference to that in Pohs book. Inside the base it is stamped with the number 11
on two parts. I believe this to be a George Stephenson design miners safety lamp
from the mid 19th century. It
is a design that was first developed in the early 19th century by George Stephenson
who is also famous for his work involving Steam trains or locomotives.
George Stephenson is one of the 3 big names in the early development of
miners safety lamps along with Davy and Clanny.It seems all three were working to find a solution to the problem of explosive gases found in mines and mining lights that could ignite those gases with open flames used in other designs like candles, oil wick mine lights or other mine lighting designs. Stephenson's idea did not gain as widespread acceptance or use as Davy's idea, and are considered rarer than more commonly found makes or designs. In his book Henry Pohs devotes an entire chapter to Stephenson and this style lamp but never pictures this exact one, or shows a good pic of the inner workings. I could not find any examples of this lamp at some of the internet sites dealing with safety lamps either.
I am no expert, but my understanding of the the idea that is different from the Davy or Clanny designs is the way the design allowed air to pass through the upper / inner housing inside the gauze / wire mesh. (see pic showing inside of base). Pohs also makes reference to the closed bonnet design being different. These design ideas were such that the flame inside the lamp was protected in such a way as to not allow it to ignite the gaseous air outside the gauze / wire enclosure. Inside there is a copper or brass tube with perforations that can slide up and down. i have been told that there is a missing glass tube that this would fit on. I do not know. A rare and early mining / safety lamp in very nice condition. Ready for the mine light collection and display.
Excellent . . . . . $2200.00 SOLD!!
2
Patented M & O Adjustable Vent Oilwick Mining Lamps
A nice looking pair of hard to find vented Oil Fired Teapot style miners lights / lamps.
Both are stamped with the patent dates of April 7 & May 26 on the lids.
The bottom is stamped M & O which stands for the names Murray & O'Connor. The one on the left is a slightly smaller size than the other.
Its base measures 1 5/8, while the larger one is 1 7/8" Diameter. The
larger one is approx 2 3/4" tall and the smaller about 2 1/2". A great
addition for the mining light display or mine related collection.Left . . . Excellent . . . . . $295.00 SOLD!
Right . . . Excellent . . . . . $275.00 SOLD!
Pat
Apd For Cast Aluminum Oil Wick Mining Lamp A nice looking Oil Fired Teapot style miners light / lamp for display
in the mining collection. The body and cap of this miners oilwick
light are non magnetic and I assume Aluminum. It stands just over 2
1/4" tall. Excellent . . . . . $125.00 SOLD!!
Copper Lined
S*T*A*R Oil Wick Mining Lamp A nice looking
Gillis Oil Fired Teapot style oilwick miners light / lamp
that is lined with copper inside. It looks to me to be unfired. The side is inscribed with the name
S*T*A*R & John D. Gillis & Sons Phillipsburg PA. inside a
shield. A super clean example for the mining
light display or mining collection.Excellent . . . . . $145.00 SOLD!
Miners Supply Comp. St Clair PA Oil Wick Mining Lamp
This one has a series of dents on the
side where the information is stamped. It is still a nice looking miners
oilwick light / lamp for the display or collection.Good+ . . . . . $50.00 SOLD!
Oil
Wick Miner's Lamp This one is nicely
made and has a very vertical spout. It is about 4" tall to the top of
it. It is unmarked. A nice looking Oilwick miners light / lamp for the display or collection.Excellent . . . . . $50.00 SOLD!
Nobel Blasting Cap Tin Blasting cap tins use to be found all over.
I use to find them even here in Ca where
gold was discovered in the 1840's, and all things mining or blasting related
have been sucked from the market for 150 + years. Today, you hardly
ever see them. Below is a nice
little selection to help with the dry times.
Fine . . . . . $95.00 SOLD!
Hercules
Blasting Cap Tin A nice looking
Hercules 25 count #6
round blasting cap tin..
Good +. . . . . $55.00 SOLD!
#100 JustRite Carbide Lamp Box These
are hard to find. One side has a sliver off of it.
Good. . . . . $35.00
Miner's Hard Hat w/ Guy's Dropper Carbide Mining Lamp
The hard hat still has the mine certification
sticker in it. The Guy's Dropper lamp is in super condition. A
nice set-up.Excellent . . . . . $125.00 SOLD!
Dallas
Mineral Company Spanish Dip Compass w/ Paperwork A Gold / Silver & Mineral
Prospector's Outfit
This rare and unusual instrument was intended to make the
lucky buyer /
user rich and famous in his quest to find Gold, Silver, and other hidden
treasure. That was back when gold was something like $30.00 an ounce,
just think of the potential today with gold hovering close to $2000.00.As can be seen in the accompanying handbill and other paperwork included this type of device could be purchased in at least three different grades. The Dallas Mineral Company was so sure of the value they even offered to sell it on terms. From all the assorted papers here it seems the buyer was doing due diligence before plunking down his hard earned cash. In that regard there is a receipt for $150.00 that I am not sure what it represents. Included are testimonials and literature from other similar devices here as well.. As can be seen the buyer opted for the top of the line model called "The Spanish Magnetic Dip Needle" in the handbill. If I am reading the literature correctly in addition to the base price you also had to agree to cut the Dallas Mineral Company in on any of the riches you discovered using their device. P.T. Barnum was probably a backer or officer of the company .In that vein the original buyer also obtained a copy of the seminal work titled Jacobs Rod which contains complete instructions on how to proceed in this type of endeavor using similar devices but without that special vial of nuggets this model has.
It looks to be a simple dip compass, with a "special" vial of magical gold colored nuggets to help power the needle in the quest for riches hiding just below the surface. In use you would use it kind of like a dowsing rod, or divining stick, holding the compass out or down while hanging onto the thin wooden handles, and when the needle pointed down, that was a sign to start digging I suppose.. The overall condition is great noting that one of the springy wooden splint handles has cracked and been glued / repaired.
This is really a great piece of mining lore.
Excellent . . . . . $395.00 SOLD!
M.
Attwood / A. Lietz Miners Clinometer / Compass Mr.
Attwood's invention appears in the 1899 A. Lietz Co. of San Francisco catalog billed as their
#87 Attwood Clinometer. It still appears in the 1911 catalog.
It is referred to in an 1896 J. C. Sala Catalog so the idea for it had
been around for a while before Lietz offered their modified design.
I could not find a patent for it using Google. The 1911 catalog and the entry can be viewed in Google books with a search
for M. Attwood Clinometer. This particular instrument comes directly from the family of the owner Roy Wethered who was born in 1883 and was a miner and involved in various mining operations of that time period. A Google search of his name brings up numerous references and biographical info.
This combination mining tool / inclinometer / Clinometer / compass and more measures 6 3/8 x 3 x 7/16". The condition is very nice showing just minor losses to the original black finish. The level vials are good, and the sighting feature works as it should. It also has its original leather case that is nice as well.. It is made of an Aluminum alloy and includes an inclinometer and compass as well as two levels and a sighting arrangement allowing it to be used as a hand level / grade level. The catalog description lists out all the mining jobs it could be used for including rough surveys. The cost back then was $15.00 A very nice piece of mining related memorabilia that is very hard to find!
Fine . . . . . . . $495.00
2
Miners Candlesticks / Sticking Tommies The
top one is a pretty common form, but it is clearly stamped / marked Washington
on the bar. I read in a guide for these that this was for a mine
in CA. and that this is a pretty rare variation. The second one is a twisted or coiled wire version candlestick. I believe it is a manufactured piece. It is a bit rough. Both of these have been in a collection in WA. for a number of years.
Top / Left Good . . . . . . $95.00 SOLD!
Right . . . . . Good . . . . . $35.00 SOLD!
Dew-R-Lite TIP Carbide Miners Lamp by Dewar
Larger
carbides like this with handles are called hand-helds and were typically
used by inspectors or superintendants and the like. The Dewar Co out
of Brooklyn NY marked their lamps with the letters TIP which stands for Its
Trouble Proof A nice looking lamp for display in the
mine related collection. Good+ . . . . . $75.00 SOLD!!
ITP
Dewar Carbide Mining Lamp This is a superintendant / supervisors size nickel plated
carbide lamp with the logo ITP "Its Trouble Proof" Sometimes read and seen
as TIP. The condition is nice. Excellent . . . . . $75.00 SOLD!!
20th Century Bicycle Lantern Carriage Lamp in Original Box This lantern is like NOS. The box shows some wear & tear from being shuffled about on the shelf, but the light is mint. Check out the pictures of the box, it is really quite unusual.
Good ..... $289.00 SOLD!
Dupont #2 Dynamite Crimping / Fuse Cutting Pliers These are clearly marked Dupont #2 on the chromed body and are in overall excellent condition. It appears you are getting a cutter, a crimper, and a reamer and screwdriver , plus a hole in the handle I do not know the purpose of. They are Nice!
Good + . . . . . $55.00 SOLD!
CXL Mining / Dynamite Crimpers / Pliers & MoreThese are marked CXL on the brass body and are in overall excellent condition. It appears you are getting a cutter, a splitter, a crimper, and a reamer. Only the cutting blade and the spring are of steel, thus cutting down on the chance of an errant spark and unwanted detonation. They are Nice!
Good + . . . . . $95.00 SOLD!
Dupont #1 Dynamite Crimping Pliers These are clearly marked Dupont #1 on the chromed body and are in overall excellent condition. It appears you are getting a large crimper, plus a hole in the handle I do not know the purpose of. They are Nice!
Good + . . . . . $45.00 SOLD!
Koehler #209 Approved Miners Safety Lamp This form or style of lamp is commonly known as the Davey lamp, and is named after the inventor. The idea was that because the flame was behind the interior screen or mesh, and behind the glass, it would not ignite flammable gases in an enclosed area like a mine. I have seen this version out and about before, so we can assume it is one of the later and more readily available ones. It appears to be made out of aluminum and is in excellent condition. The striker is operational and the glass is good.
Good + . . . . . $95.00 SOLD!
This is just a sample of the many antiques we have sold. Click link to see other Sales Archive Pages on this Site.
We can help you sell quality Mining Related Antiques Contact Us.
For further info on consigning / selling your antiques
with us please see our FAQ page,
the
Appraisal / Selling Page and the
Selling
Your Collection Pages.
Our current offering of Antiques for sale are at our sister Website Patented-Antiques.com.
This website is Copyrighted
(1998 -
2009)
Larry & Carole Meeker