Vapo Cresolene Medical Lamp

The first Vapo Cresolene lamp was produced in 1879. James H Valentine was desperately trying to find something to relieve his daughters whooping cough symptoms. He put a coal tar acid called Cresolene in a tin cup and suspended it over a  small kerosene lamp. The soothing vapours soon filled the room and she found relief.

Valentine was granted a patent for his lamp on August 4 1885. He began production of his medical lamps but lacked the capital to expand the market beyond the village limits. He received financial assistance from George Shepard Page and eventually sold out to Pages’ children.

This lamp bears patent dates of August 4 1885 and August 8 1888.

The lamp still has the original opal glass chimney and the tray shows signs of use but is still bright. The lamp has also been fitted with a new wick. The original finish on the stand shows some paint loss but the remaining finish is good. All of these things are consistent with the age and usage of the Vapo Cresolene lamp.

Height – 16cm (6.25″)

Width -9cm (3.5″)

Depth -8cm (3.25″)

For more information about this antique Vapo Cresolene lamp, please feel free to contact us and quote “Product code – 0494”