This member page owned and operated by ICCC members Jim and Jan Nichols Wichita, Kansas, USA

The very first time I saw a Coleman lantern was on the farm when my grandfather used it to do chores in the 50's. My uncle, also a farmer, used Coleman lanterns and lamps. I have some of his lamps in my collection now. Who thought back then, I would ever work for the Coleman Co.! The late 60's found me in college where I met Jan. She was from Wichita, (Home of Coleman) following her to Wichita lead me to need a job and hired on with the Coleman Co. in 1969. My early years at Coleman were busy raising 2 boys and keeping up with the family, collecting was not a priority, nor could I have afforded it. We did a lot of hiking, fishing & camping, using Coleman all the way.

My very first Coleman was a QL327, brought it home, cleaned it and lit it in 1980. My second find was a 4A radiant heater, which I used for heat in my shop for years. I wasn't collecting, but was curious to see if I could get these old things to work. The first people to get me interested in collecting were Herb Ebendorf and Jerry Koontz by spending hours talking to them about the old Coleman. Then I would find something and show them, to learn more about it and now I have a barn full of stuff.

E20 Poultry, Arc, 319 and IL323-all Torch Lighting

I have been collecting hard for about 8 years. My Coleman hollow wire has been the most challenging and rewarding. I remember telling Jan I never wanted any hollow wire because it was too old and didn't understand it! When I acquired my first piece by accident, I got hooked!

The "overflow" barn.

To see my Coleman hollow wire, go to Terry Marsh's Website. Every Coleman piece I pick up I clean and polish and restore if necessary. I also make parts if it is missing any and they are too hard to find. My great enjoyment is designing and making miniature whatevers.

Besides collecting Coleman, I really enjoy all the friends that Coleman collecting has brought me. It is like a big family reunion every year at the convention. My collection will be gone someday, but friendships last forever.

Mr. Jim Nichols