1937-1953
As
unlikely as it may seem, in 1937 and 1938, the Aladdin Treasure lamps
were the highest priced lamps in the entire kerosene line! The metal
Treasure had three finishes consisting of chromium plate, nickel plate,
and oxidized bronze plate. Many new collectors find it difficult to
distinguish the chromium lamps from the nickel, but if you look closely
at the pictures you will see that the chromium lamp has a blue luster
to the finish (the same a chrome on a car), while the nickel finish
will exhibit a yellow luster that is not as bright as the chromium
lamp.
The brass
lamp shown here is not mentioned in the price guide or the ATML collectors
book. Many people believe the brass lamp is the result of a plated
lamp that has been stripped of its original finish, or that it was
manufactured at a later date to be used as an electric lamp and has
been converted back to kerosene. I have seen enough of these brass
lamps that it is my personal opinion they were indeed sold as kerosene
lamps by Aladdin at some point.
One odd
lamp that should belong to this family but is not shown here, is known
as the "Nashville Treasure". It has the characteristic oil
fount of the Treasure lamp combined with the foot of a model 12 table
lamp. A wide, heavy weight was added to the 12 foot along with a felt
pad. It uses the "Nashville" model-b burner and both burner
and base were oxidized bronze.
