L.353

An old zinc cast lamp by R. Ditmar, presumably produced from around 1875 or even before, came back to Europe after more than a century in my collection.

When I discovered it on eBay USA, it did not make a very favourable impression on me at first. The silver colour of the lamp body was very weathered, the flat burner was rusty and the burner cap was no longer present. First after the purchase of a 6-lines Jupiter burner I decided to buy the lamp after all (after several weeks, with a price reduction).

The lamp is shown in the Ditmar catalogue of 1897 (lamp 6392); but not in the 1869 catalogue, where I would have rather expected it, because it rather makes a very old impression.

I had to completely remove the old, heavily weathered paint from the lamp in order to re-bronze it. As it is stated in the catalogue as "silver coloured", I applied an appropriate wax in pewter colour (Etain).

I converted the lamp from flat burner to Kosmos burner by replacing the collar with a new nickel-plated collar and constructing a shade holder for a matching old Vesta shade. Finally, I silver-plated the shade holder. With this composition, the lamp has regained its old appearance.

Lamp Data

Added by me:
Burner, glass chimney, Vesta shade and shade holder.

Cleaning and repairs:
See above.

Lamp body:
Triangular base of ornamental zinc casting, on 3 feet, side length 14.5 cm. Base marked at the bottom: Logo Ditmar + "Muster geschützt R. Ditmar". Originally in silver colour, which is heavily worn in places.
Font of clear, colourless glass, faceted cut, Ø 102 mm. Font firmly plastered, not removable. New collar, nickel-plated.

Burner:
6’’’ Jupiter burner of R. Ditmar, Vienna, nickel-plated.
Wick knob marked: R. Ditmar Vienna - Made in Austria.
Flat wick 37 mm.

Glass chimney:
6’’’ Kosmos chimney. Height 189 mm, Ø fitter 34 mm.
Marked: Hardglass - 100% Fireproof - Foreign - Made in Hungary.

Shade and shade holder:
Vesta shade, white milk glass, top rim flat rolled.
Height 126 mm, Ø fitter 150 and bulge 176 mm.
155 mm shade holder for 10''' burners; the inner ring removed and replaced with a matching globe holder. Shade holder silver-plated by me.

Lamp dimensions:
Height up to collar 23.2 cm, total height with chimney 45.3 cm.
Total weight 1160 g.