Lot 8: The Tinkers Lantern by Heinz Ahlers and Paul Young

This handmade lantern is in the 18th-century style of home or tavern lanterns.  It is not the work of a professional lantern maker, but more in the style of a frontier blacksmith or traveling tinker. All of the metal sections are from leftover flat stock. Mixed brass and copper were hammered into the needed shapes. The construction uses copper rivets and brass screws.  There are 3 glass panes with a copper door. The panes are held in place by brass spring clamps. Window frame putty would be more in the period style, but the clamps allow for removing the panes for transportation. The door will have an applied brass engraved plate, in progress at the time of this writing, with the year and CLA included. The overall dimensions of the lantern are 16 inches high, 6 1/2 wide, with 12 X  5 1/2  inch glass panes. 

The lamp includes a removable brass bail handle, removable candle holder, and drip pan. The only solder used in the construction is on the candle holder and drip pan.  A Heinz Ahlers striker and Paul Young knapped flint are included. Heinz knows his way around the forge and Paul is an excellent flintknapper.

Heinz is a frequent auction donor. Paul is a new CLA member, and this is his first CLF Fundraising auction donation.