The Miller plain Nickel’ and Embossed
brass No.0 Hand Lamps c.1892
Edward Miller manufactured a range of hand lamps from the extremely plain and functional ‘home’ lamp which was primarily made of cheap tin, to elaborately embossed brass lamps, with decorative spelter handles such as these ones.
Fashioned on the Miller No. 0 table lamp with the same burner and font size, they have no stem, the base fitting straight onto the underneath of the font, giving them a somewhat ‘squat’ appearance with increased stability. Although not usually used with a shade, some are found with a tripod and 6 inch dome shade.
A lamp for ‘after bed’ perhaps kept on the bedside table ready for those ‘little trips’ outside or to the pantry. The ornate example might have been reserved for guests.
The ‘Tiny’ Juno hand Lamp c.1895
The ‘baby’ of all Miller lamps would be this one. Designed on the ‘Tiny’ table lamp this hand lamp was too small to be fitted with a spelter cast handle, thus the embossed flat brass handle which is simply attached to the base with rivets.
This little lamp is also styled on the same idea as its larger cousins (The No. 0 hand lamps) in that it is the same font and base as the ‘Tiny’ table lamp but with the stem removed.
Available both in nickel and plain brass, a night light for the child in a ‘better’ household.
The Miller ‘Juno’ Home Lamp c.1895
In complete contrast to the ‘Tiny’ banquet lamp and Embossed Hand Lamp the ‘Home’ lamp was made with the ‘other end’ of the market in mind. This small hand lamp is as simple as it gets and has been made from the cheapest materials. Fitted with the standard Miller No. 0 burner, the brass on this lamp has been kept to an absolute minimum with the body of the lamp made from galvanized iron. This lamp, given its style, was not intended to carry a tripod and shade.
Given that the lamp is of galvanized iron, good examples are hard to come by as they are subject to rust and leaks were common thus causing the lamp to be discarded. It holds 1 ½ pints (710ml) and will burn for 8 hours.
A ‘cheapside’ lamp made for the lower end of the market, true to form and function it would have been kept on the bedside table and used as a night light.
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