~ Early American Lighthouse Illumination ~
Thomas Tag has long been probably the only authority on lamps, lens
apparatus and illumination for lighthouses, with his articles on the
subject appearing in our catalogue, as well as the U. S. Lighthouse
Society’s Keeper’s Log, Lighthouse Digest and other publications.
Now Tom has put together much of this information in seven publications
which detail the entire subject, from lamps and fuels, to burners, lens
apparatus, manufacturing processes and more. This is a superb collection
that answers the questions that many of us have been asking for some
time, and will serve as a reference on the subject for years to come.
Each of the booklets includes a complete set of footnotes defining the
sources of the data for those interested in further research. Cost $26
each or quantity discounts available (see bottom). Publications include:
The Clock Without
Hands.
Thomas Tag has
long been probably the only authority on lamps, lens apparatus and
illumination for lighthouses, with his articles on the subject appearing
in our catalogue, as well as the U. S. Lighthouse Society’s Keeper’s
Log, Lighthouse Digest and other publications. Now Tom has added still
another volume to his list of publications – The Clock Without Habds.
This detailed account covers a long neglected area of lighthouse
equipment – the mechanical weight-driven mechanisms that rotate the
lenses causing the flash that we see. The author covers a history and
design of these mechanisms, chariot wheel systems, mercury flotation
systems, clockwork mechanisms, and much more. Thoroughly illustrated
with early photographs and drawings, this booklet makes most
interesting reading. 17p. (M). #28183
The
View Near
Graemsay
Island
.
Thomas
Tag has long been probably the only authority on lamps, lens apparatus
and illumination for lighthouses, with his articles on the subject
appearing in our catalogue, as well as the U. S. Lighthouse Society’s
Keeper’s Log, Lighthouse Digest and other publications. Now Tom has
added still another volume to his list of publications – The View Near
Graemsay
Island
. This author recently acquired a hand written diary by none other than
lighthouse engineer Alan Stevenson. One section, of particular interest,
described landmarks off the
island
of
Graemsay
that Stevenson wrote about in 1850 and 1851. The author decided to visit
these areas, and this is his detailed description of what he found.
Illustrated with early photographs and drawings, this booklet
makes most interesting reading. 18 p. (M). #27420.
Bell
Rock 200th Anniversary – Part 1 - 1806.
Thomas Tag has long been probably the only authority on lamps, lens
apparatus and illumination for lighthouses, with his articles on the
subject appearing in our catalogue, as well as the U. S. Lighthouse
Society’s Keeper’s Log, Lighthouse Digest and other publications.
Now Tom has added still another volume to his list of publications -
Bell
Rock 200th Anniversary – Part 1 – 1806. Two Hundred years ago, in
1806, the design, development plans and construction authorization for
the
Bell
Rock Lighthouse in
Scotland
were approved. This story covers the developments during 1806 and the
early history of the Bell Rock. Illustrated with early photographs and
drawings, this booklet makes most interesting reading. 4 p. (M).
#27419.
Brilliance
and Prejudice – The John R. Wigham Story.
Thomas Tag has long been probably the only authority on lamps, lens
apparatus and illumination for lighthouses, with his articles on the
subject appearing in our catalogue, as well as the U. S. Lighthouse
Society’s Keeper’s Log, Lighthouse Digest and other publications.
Now Tom has added still another volume to his list of publications –
Brilliance and Prejudice – The John R. Wigham Story. This is the story
of a brilliant engineer who created some of the most interesting
lighthouse equipment ever developed. His designs would be both praised
and maligned and would lead to conflict, prejudice, plagiarism, and the
ultimate resignation of one of the leading scientists of the day.
Thoroughly illustrated with early photographs and drawings, this
booklet makes most interesting reading. 33 p. (M). #2750.
The
Fresnel Lens Makers Part VI The Other Glass and Lens Makers.
Thomas Tag has long been probably the only authority on lamps, lens
apparatus and illumination for lighthouses, with his articles on the
subject appearing in our catalogue, as well as the U. S. Lighthouse
Society’s Keeper’s Log, Lighthouse Digest and other publications.
Now Tom has added still another volume to his list of publications –
The Fresnel Lens Makers Part VI – The Other Glass and Lens Makers.
This final part describes the remaining lens makers including AGA,
Pharos Marine, Automatic Power,
Corning
, Macbeth-Evans, Gebr., Dr. Genthe Glass, Nitsche & Gunther, Julius
Pintsch, and Wilhelm Weule. Thoroughly illustrated with early
photographs and drawings, this booklet makes most interesting
reading. 31 p. (M). #26333.
Church
Steeples and Fog Signals.
Thomas Tag has long been probably the only authority on lamps, lens
apparatus and illumination for lighthouses, with his articles on the
subject appearing in our catalogue, as well as the U. S. Lighthouse
Society’s Keeper’s Log, Lighthouse Digest and other publications.
Now Tom has added still another volume to his list of publications –
Church Steeples and Fog Signals. This detailed account covers a long
neglected area of lighthouse equipment – the mechanical weight-driven
fog bell strikers. The author covers a history of fog bells, bell
construction, wave actuated bells and clockwork-striking machinery.
Included are Lowell Fog Bell Strikers, Custer Strikers, Daboll Strikers,
Stevens, Gamewell, and more. Thoroughly illustrated with early
photographs and drawings, this booklet makes most interesting
reading. (M).#26212
The
Fresnel Lens Makers Part V – The Barbier, Benard And Turenns (Bbt)
Lens Works.
Thomas Tag has long been probably the only authority on lamps, lens
apparatus and illumination for lighthouses, with his articles on the
subject appearing in our catalogue, as well as the U. S. Lighthouse
Society’s Keeper’s Log, Lighthouse Digest and other publications.
Now Tom has added still another volume to his list of publications –
The Fresnel Lens Makers Part V – The Barbier, Benard And Turenns (BBT)
Lens Works. Part V of six parts, describes the development of the early
Fresnel lenses and defines the companies and individuals who took part
in this effort. Augustin Fresnel had assistance from many sources as he
developed and perfected his lens. This part details the work of the
Barbier, Benard And Turenns (BBT) in
France
. From its beginnings in the 1860’s the company was one of the
leading makers of Fresnel lenses for the world market, and to its
current status as today’s Samtec-Gisman Company, still producing
navigation buoys. 11p. (M). #26122.
The
Fresnel Lens Makers Part IV Chance Brothers Glass Works.
Thomas Tag has long been probably the only authority on lamps, lens
apparatus and illumination for lighthouses, with his articles on the
subject appearing in our catalogue, as well as the U. S. Lighthouse
Society’s Keeper’s Log, Lighthouse Digest and other publications.
Now Tom has added still another volume to his list of publications –
The Fresnel Lens Makers Part IV Chance Brothers Glass Works. Part IV of
five parts, describes the development of the early Fresnel lenses and
defines the companies and individuals who took part in this effort.
Augustin Fresnel had assistance from many sources as he developed and
perfected his lens. This part details the work of the Chance Brothers
Company in
England
, from its beginning as a glass window maker to its production of
Fresnel lenses for the world market, and to its final demise in 1977
after being divided into several companies. (M). #2659.
The
Fresnel Lens Makers Part III The Henry-Lepaute Lens Works.
Thomas Tag has long been probably the only authority on lamps, lens
apparatus and illumination for lighthouses, with his articles on the
subject appearing in our catalogue, as well as the U. S. Lighthouse
Society’s Keeper’s Log, Lighthouse Digest and other publications.
Now Tom has added still another volume to his list of publications –
The Fresnel Lens Makers Part III The Henry-Lepaute Lens Works. Part III
of five parts, describes the development of the early Fresnel lenses and
defines the companies and individuals who took part in this effort.
Augustin Fresnel had assistance from many sources as he developed and
perfected his lens. This part details the work of the Henry-Lepaute Lens
Works, in
France
, from its beginnings as a clock maker, to its production of Fresnel
Lenses for the world market, to its current status. (M). #25335.
The
Fresnel Lens Makers Part II Sautter.
Thomas
Tag has long been probably the only authority on lamps, lens apparatus
and illumination for lighthouses, with his articles on the subject
appearing in our catalogue, as well as the U. S. Lighthouse Society’s
Keeper’s Log, Lighthouse Digest and other publications. Now Tom has
added still another volume to his list of publications – The Fresnel
Lens Makers Part II Sautter. Part II of five parts, describes the
development of the early Fresnel lenses and defines the companies and
individuals who took part in this effort. Augustin Fresnel had
assistance from many sources as he developed and perfected his lens.
This part details the work of the Louis Sautter Company, in
France
from its beginnings producing Fresnel lenses and other lighthouse
equipment from 1852 to the company’s final demise in 1970. 10 p.
Spiral bound. (M). #25216.
The
Fresnel Lens Makers Part I Early.
Thomas
Tag has long been probably the only authority on lamps, lens apparatus
and illumination for lighthouses, with his articles on the subject
appearing in our catalogue, as well as the U. S. Lighthouse Society’s
Keeper’s Log, Lighthouse Digest and other publications. Now Tom has
added still another volume to his list of publications – The Fresnel
Lens Makers Part I Early. Part I of five parts, describes the
development of the early Fresnel lenses and defines the companies and
individuals who took part in this effort. Augustin Fresnel had
assistance from many sources as he developed and perfected his lens. The
players in this story have become blurred by time and confused due to
their unusual interrelationships. This story will help to
alleviate the confusion. 20 p. Spiral bound. (M). #25128.
Who
Invented The Fresnel Lens?
Thomas
Tag has long been probably the only authority on lamps, lens apparatus
and illumination for lighthouses, with his articles on the subject
appearing in our catalogue, as well as the U. S. Lighthouse Society’s
Keeper’s Log, Lighthouse Digest and other publications. Now Tom has
added still another volume to his list of publications – Who Invented
the Fresnel Lens. From 1822, when Fresnel published his first paper
Memoir sur un Nouveau System d’Eclairage des Phares, Sir David
Brewster, in
Scotland
, claimed that he was the true inventor. This account discusses the
various claims and should finally settle the dispute. 15 p. Spiral
bound. (M). #24155.
The
Drummond Lime Light.
2003.
17p. Soft wraps. Thomas Tag has long been probably the only authority on
lamps, lens apparatus and illumination for lighthouses, with his
articles on the subject appearing in our catalogue, as well as the U. S.
Lighthouse Society’s Keeper’s Log, Lighthouse Digest and other
publications. Now Tom has added still another volume to his list of
publications – The Drummond Lime Light. The Durmmond Lime Light is
produced by two jets of gas, one of oxygen and the other of hydrogen,
ignited upon a ball of lime. The author discusses the light as it was
tested for use in lighthouses in the early 1800’s. Beginning with the
actual story of the Lime Light development and trials, the author then
continues with seventeen pages of detailed background information about
the light and the lighthouse trials. Includes photographs and diagrams,
this volume is the definitive source on the subject. (M). #23325.
From
Braziers And Bougies To Xenon.
2003.
41p. Soft wraps. Thomas Tag has long been probably the only authority on
lamps, lens apparatus and illumination for lighthouses, with his
articles on the subject appearing in our catalogue, as well as the U. S.
Lighthouse Society’s Keeper’s Log, Lighthouse Digest and other
publications. Now Tom has added still another volume to his list of
publications – From Braziers And Bougies To Xenon. This is the story
of lighthouse illumination through the centuries. Lighthouse
illumination began with simple wood fires and progressed through a
generation of other methods. Even the oil lamp began in simplicity and
evolved into a machine with multiple wicks, clockwork oil pumps,
specialized chimneys, hydraulic, pneumatic, and other variants. This
detailed work takes you through the history of illumination methods from
‘braziers and bougies [candles] to xenon’, from the 1600’s up to
the present day. Filled with photographs and diagrams, this is the
definitive source on the subject. #23233.
Lighthouse
Builders and Inventors
This
detailed document lists and describes the builders and inventors who
participated in some way in the development of lighthouses and their
technical elements. Where possible, the author has included birth and
death years to place his life in context with the timeline of
developments. Also each entry is annotated with a footnote identifying
the source of the data. Includes over 190 listings. 10p. Spiral
bound. #22248.
The
Genius and the
Mentor
This
is the story of the life and work of Augustin Jean Fresnel. It is not
the usual biography of his life, which you may have read before; instead
it is the story of the very unusual school he attended, the mentor who
made his work possible, and the lighthouse illumination equipment he
designed. The work of these two ‘Genius and
Mentor
’ produced the initial ideas that led to the magnificent design of the
Fresnel lens for lighthouses that we are so familiar with. 16p. Spiral
bound. #22246.
Chronology
of Lighthouse Events
This
long awaited document provides a chronology of the major technical
events that have occurred in lighthouse development throughout time.
From the earliest entry in 1300 bc when the Trojan built an early fire
tower or lighthouse, to the decommissioning of the
Nantucket
lightship in 1985, this detailed listing is a must for the researcher,
historian and writer as well as local enthusiasts. Includes well over
900 listings. 26p. Spiral bound. #22247.
Early
American Lighthouse Illumination
This
is the story of lighthouse illumination methods used -in
America
from the 1700s to 1852. It includes many drawings and photographs of the
early Winslow Lewis reflector light, the 9-inch Winslow Lewis lens,
Spider Lamps, Bucket Lamps, etc. 20p. Spiral bound. #9440.
American
Made Fresnel Lenses
This
is the story of the development of optical quality glass in Europe and
in
America
, the desire to build Fresnel lenses in
America
and the reasons that this desire was finally realized. It includes many
previously unknown photographs of American-made Fresnel lenses. 18p.
Spiral bound. #9441.
David
Porter Heap - The Great Improver
This
is the story of David Porter Heap who was one of the Engineers to the
Lighthouse Board and also served as the Engineer in the Third Lighthouse
District for many years. David Heap was responsible for improving many
lighthouse-related items such as five and eight-day lamps, the Funck-Heap
lamps, the first use of ball bearings in lens rotation, the first
acetylene gas buoy in America, the Topophone and others. 13p. .Spiral
bound. #9442.
The
Doty Dilemma
This
is the story of the development and use of kerosene as a fuel for
lighthouse lamps. Henry Harrison Doty developed and patented lamps that
were able to burn kerosene efficiently. His patents were purchased and
used by the lighthouse authorities around the world with the exception
of
America
where his patents resulted in years of litigation. It includes
photographs and drawings of the early lamps used in burning kerosene.
10p. .Spiral bound. #9443.
A
Bit Unusual
This
is the story of the many kinds of fuel that were experimented with for
use in lighthouses. Everything from Bude lamps and sheep's tails to
atomic reactors is discussed. It includes a copy of the only known
drawing of a Drummond Lime light as proposed for use in lighthouses.
12p. .Spiral bound. #9444.
The
Jewel in the Sand
This
is the story of the glass used in lighthouse lenses. The story covers
how the glass was made and how the lenses and prisms were made and
polished. It includes drawings of the early glass polishing equipment.
Also included is a chart defining all of the Fresnel lens orders from
Hyper-radial through eight-order and a listing of the lens
manufacturers. 11p. .Spiral bound. #9445.
The
Mirror Of Light.
This
is the story of the Catoptric or mirror system of lighthouse
illumination. One of the first methods employed in early lighthouses to
concentrate the rays were flat, spherical and parabolic reflectors.
Stevenson and later Winslow Lewis were noted for their early c.1800
reflector designs that were incorporated into early
US
lighthouses. This detailed work covers theirs and numerous other styles
of reflectors in use as early as the 1770’s up to the 1950’s. Filled
with 45 photographs and diagrams, this volume is the definitive source
on the subject. 27p. Spiral bound. #21309.
Memoir
Upon A New System Of Lighthouse Illumination
Fresnel,
M. A., Memoir Upon A New System Of Lighthouse Illumination.
Paris
. 1822. [reprint] 2001. Translated into English. English translation of
Fresnel’s original memoir on his new system of lighthouse illumination
from 1822, upon which modern lens apparatus was based. Memoir discusses
in some detail the properties of large glass lenses and their use as
replacements for parabolic reflectors that were in use at the time. In
addition, lamps and burners to properly illuminate the apparatus are
discussed, methods employed to produce a flash, and much more. A
most interesting and important early work by this noted designer, now in
English for us to study. 24p. Spiral bound. #2137.
Multiple
Discount Pricing: 2-3 titles $25 each. 4-8 titles $24 each.
9-12 titles $23 each. 13 or more titles $21 each. No other discounts may
apply.
5580f. [set 50] American
Tobacco Company, Lighthouse Series Cigarette Cards. c.1910. This
rare series of fifty cigarette cards depicts fifty different United
States light stations. Includes a short history and description of each
station on verso. A very nice early collection, difficult to find.
Condition G-VG. [set 50.] $268.
U.S.
LIGHTHOUSE ESTABLISHMENT
Original
Hand-Written Specifications and Architectural Drawings, for Construction
of a :
Beacon-Light at
Millwaukie, Wisconsin.
11th District,
probably by
L. Sitgreaves, Corp. of Engineers.
Set consists of three (3) items:
First: U.S. Lighthouse
Establishment, complete hand written specifications for the
construction of the light-house tower to be constructed at Milwaukie,
c.1853. This rare document is entirely hand-written, is comprised of
twelve (12), 8 ½" x 13" pages. Specifications include
sections relating to General Description, Foundations, Brickwork,
Mortar, Tower Room Doors, Floor Plates, Sheeting, Closet Door, Lantern
Deck, Step Ladder, Ventillators, Lantern Floor Plates, Scuttle Door,
Deck Plates, Railing, Lantern, Lantern Door, Dome, Windows, Stairs and
Railing. This is a most interesting and rare document, which gives an
unprecedented look at the construction of light towers and
particularly the lantern. Document consists of 12 pages as originally
folded, overall exceptionally clean and bright, with some original
hand written changes and corrections. Text is quite clear and legible
and easily readable. A most interesting and important early document.
Second: Original hand drawn
architectural drawing on linen entitled: Proposed Plan of a Lantern
for a Beacon Light at Milwaukie. Large 13 ½" x 23 ½"
drawing is done in three colors and includes a detailed half elevation
view and a half sectional view of the lantern, scale 1 inch = 1 foot.
Drawing is exceptionally clean, bright as if it were drawn yesterday
and bears original folds.
Third: Original hand drawn
architectural drawing on linen entitled: Inverted Plan of Lower Sash
Ring showing the manner of connecting two segments.. Large 23" x
35" drawing is done in black and includes seven views of various
sections of the sash ring, drawn full size. Again, the drawing is
exceptionally clean, bright as if it were drawn yesterday and bears
original folds.
An unprecedented look at the construction of
light-house lanterns and towers!
#7390.
- $685 net.
This page last updated January 23, 2012
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