1840 Pair Double Convex BullsEye Silver Whale Oil Lamps Start Price USD 3,000.00 Current Price USD 3,000.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Sunday, August 17, 2008 End Time Sunday, August 24, 2008 Location Pauma Valley, California See more about '1840 Pair Double Convex BullsEye Silver Whale Oil Lamps' Description A fine and extremely rare antique pair of Regency sterling silver plate, double convex bulls-eye whale oil lamps. These are the finest I have ever seen and are a solid 9.5 out of 10. A better pair may not even exist. They are 10 1/2" high, with 4 1/4" diameter bases, and have 2 7/8" diameter lenses. Almost everyone used candles at this time, but American and English pewter lamps which burned whale oil were becomming popular with those families who could afford them. Oil lamps in America and England were still a luxury though due to the rising price of whale oil. Lamps made in regency silverplate were top of the line, and the few in existence today were mostly made circa 1860 by which time whale oil prices had skyrocketed; so instead they were camphene fueled, identified by the taller and narrow tapering burner tubes. However, these lamps are early regency circa 1840, but could even be a bit earlier. They have never been modified and the rare original double whale oil burners are still present although 1 easily replaced tube is gone. The large oil fonts on this pair are 3 1/2" diameter and soldered in 2 halves transverse to the base to enhance their beauty, function, increased burning time, and puposely show off their owners wealth. With all the bells and whistles these lamps have you would think there was no room for improvement but there was. The oil lamps have double convex magnifying glass lenses! This was a recent innovation at the time and closely tied with the invention of the prismatic convex lens developed by Augustin Fresnel in France and subsequently used in U.S. lighthouses. Prior to this, if you needed more light it meant burning more candles or owning more lamps and using more oil. Other earlier solutions to magnify lamplight had been tried with polished tin sheet metal reflectors; but later it was discovered by forming the polished tin into circular concave parabolic reflectors you could concentrate the light more efficiently. A pair of whale oil lamps of this quality with every conceivable feature; and in silver to top it off; could only have been afforded by the nobility or the wealthiest of families. They were clearly comissioned from an English silversmith and 1 bears the unidentified makers hallmarks while the other is marked London twice on the lens hoods. Regency silverplate is rarely found marked, and these are an obvious exception, likely due to the makers pride in his accomplishment. They are ready to grace the finest antiques collection or museum. Please see the scan which does not do them justice.  No reserve on this lot. TERMS: Post Office Money order or equivalent is preferred, and checks are fine subject to clearance. Sorry, I do not accept Paypal. California residents add 8.25% sales tax. Buyer pays shipping and handling. I will keep costs as low as I can, and use the best care reasonably possible to ensure safe delivery of your merchandise. For domestic customers I will offer insurance through the Post Office. It is strongly recommended that you purchase this service, since without it, neither the Post Office or I am liable for any damage or loss. FedEx shipping of heavy items will automatically be declared for full value and sent insured, but due to the distance from my home, it may take me an extra week before I ship your lot. Foreign bidders may also purchase insurance but must request it since it is only available on Parcel Post and Express Mail shipments at significantly higher cost. If you are not happy with the merchandise, contact me immediately by email or phone to see how we can resolve the deal to our mutual satisfaction before leaving neutral or negative feedback. I will be as fair as I can, but will not issue refunds for buyers remorse or errors in bidding. Large lots and collections are sold as is and are not returnable for any reason. I will do my best to accurately describe lots for sale, but on occassion I make mistakes or simply can't explain every detail of the item due to time constraints. If you have any questions, ask them before placing a bid and I will reply promptly. All positive feedback is greatly appreciated and I always reciprocate but ask that bidders post it for me first.     PLEASE DON'T BID IF YOU WILL NOT COMPLETE THE TRANSACTION. CHANGES IN EBAY POLICY HAVE DRAMATICALLY INCREASED FEES TO SELLERS AND CHANGED THE ALLOWABLE TIME AND CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH COMMISSION REFUNDS ARE PERMITTED. IF IT BECOMES NECESSARY FOR ME TO REQUEST A REFUND OF FEES FROM EBAY FOR ANY REASON, IT IS THEIR POLICY TO DESIGNATE THE BIDDER AS A POTENTIAL DEADBEAT. AFTER 3 SUCH OFFENSES, SUSPENSION OR EXPULSION IS AUTOMATIC AND I CANNOT INTERVENE IN ANY WAY. PLEASE KEEP THIS IN MIND, SINCE PROMPT PAYMENT INSURES THAT BOTH PARTIES WILL BE HAPPY WHILE MAINTAINING THE GOOD WILL AND INTEGRITY MOST PEOPLE HAVE COME TO EXPECT FROM EBAY. Place a Bid!