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Frank & Tamma Bebb
Yucca Valley, California, USA

There was this yardsale, you see. After a lengthy negotiation process we went from zero Colemans to over 1,400 of them. Not collectors at the time, we bought this collection to re-sell. And, unfortunately now, we sold off some really nice and rare stuff. But things changed quickly after lighting the first Quick Lite lamp.


Side view of the "Lantern Wall."

Note the 160 Kero. Very incorrect glass but does it drive the Aladdin fans crazy! Catfish is patrolling the museum.

The interest grew and so did the collection. After retiring from the Marine Corps in 2000 Frank went to Wichita for authorization to open a Warranty Center. In 2001 we bought an antique store here in Yucca Valley so we had a unique opportunity to use the collection in the store as a small museum for the public to see. Rather than a presenting just the most desirable items (for collectors) we are stuffing it with about everything we get our hands on. The average person only knows Coleman as a green lantern and stove and it usually makes their jaw drop when they see the different colors and the lamps and irons and such.


Models 2 and 5A Heaters. Always in shock they ask, "They run on GASOLINE???

Akron, Tilley, AGM, Coleman. We love them all!

We're not restricted to Coleman items so we proudly display the AGMs, Sears, Tillys, Akrons and others too. Right now we're in the process of opening a second store so the Coleman Museum will have plenty of room to grow. Which is good as our home is consumed with Coleman. The entire back half of the house has lanterns hanging from the eves, the shed is full top to bottom, the side yard is lined with stoves and the pool deck is stuffed with parts lanterns & stoves. The garage roof is lined with lanterns and there are still Colemans in every room of the house. Tamma has her "very own" Coleman-a 1928 Model 328 Air-O-Gas range and it will be making its museum debut in August after the new store opens. Frank's favorite are the 228s or the IV316 Arc lantern. The #444D oil furnace kept him warm as a child in northern Idaho is also in the museum.


A "short" view of the back of our house. Lighting the neighborhood during a power failure would really be no problem.

One-half of the lantern shed. The single mantles and 228s are stored in here.

Frank attend his first convention in 2002 and had a great time meeting the club members and on-line friends. Tamma had to stay back with the store but will be in Missouri in 2003. We're very happy to be hosting the 2006 convention in warm & sunny Palm Springs.


Frank and Tamma Bebb

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