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John & Barbara Bell
Canyon Lake, Texas, USA

I got started collecting lanterns one day when I was looking around at Bussey's Flea Market in San Antonio. This lantern just jumped out at me and I decided to try and clean it up and see what it would look like. The lantern was a Coleman 237, kerosene type, made in Canada. After I had polished it, it cleaned up so well I was inspired to look for more lanterns and make a collection if I could. My next piece I found was a 1948 Coleman single burner stove, model 500 which by the way I still have. Later I found a military case for it.

Sometimes I go to pawn shops, antique stores and garage sales to try and find my treasures. We might be on a Motorhome trip and just stop at a shop on the side of the road to look. I was in Corpus Christi at a pawn shop when I found a Green 200A with a small gold case for $13.00. This really made my day.

One of my favorite lanterns is a 1934 Blue Radiant which I found in Canton, Tx. It was just sitting on the ground by the seller's table and it still had a paper tag on it so I thought it was new so I passed it by. After I had walked away I remembered that it had a mica lens so I hustled back and snapped it up. I was in Kerrville one day and saw this old lantern that was so covered with dust and cobwebs that you could barely see what it was. My wife said it looked like a piece of junk but I took it and it turned out to be a 220 Slant Generator style. The first issue of the 220 series. It was a great find.

I usually go to Bussey's Flea Market once a week if I get the chance and usually come home with something for my collection. Awhile back while in Houston visiting a high school buddy, we were at this antique store and I found a PQ lamp that is all brass including the burners.

I do not know if Coleman made an all brass or if the nickel has been removed. I would like to get some input on this lamp. Then two weeks later in Canton, Tx I found an original 1948 Coleman 152A that is complete and in perfect condition although I did not think the blue shade belonged with it until I checked with a couple of people in the Coleman Club that really know their stuff. Also, the other evening on Ebay I spotted a black salesmen's lantern case from the 40's. I now have two of these. There are about 15 of the large gold cases not shown in the pictures in my collection that have lanterns in them. Either 220's or 275's.

As you can see in the pictures I also have a multitude of various shapes and sizes of funnels. Since my collection has grown so much, I have started selling items that I have duplicates of. I love looking and poking around in old stores in hopes of finding a Ted Williams in great shape............I am always "On The Hunt."


John & Barbara Bell

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