An extraordinary, investment-grade piece of early American lighting technology: an authentic pre-1850 flint glass whale oil lamp manufactured by the celebrated Boston & Sandwich Glass Company (Sandwich, Massachusetts), circa 1835–1845.

What elevates this specimen to museum-quality status is the dual presence of two highly elusive features coveted by advanced Americana collectors:

1. The Wheel-Engraved Font: Unlike standard plain or optic-molded fluid lamps of the period, this elongated teardrop collarless font features a pristine, hand-executed wheel-engraved (etched) motif depicting three distinct, lush grape clusters nestled among delicate trailing vines and foliage. Hand-engraving on a delicate collarless font represents a significant premium tier of original production.

2. The "PATENT" Stamped Burner: The lamp retains its highly unique, intact two-spout (double tube) pewter cap cork burner. Extraordinarily, the upper pewter plate is crisp and clearly embossed "PATENT", a rare documentation mark on early unthreaded cork burners that survived the last 190 years entirely uncleaned with its dry, original wicks intact.

The blown font is anchored via a sharp, clean wafer connection to a heavy, clear pressed glass tiered stepped base featuring characteristic cascading concentric ridges and extended corner feet. Accompanying the piece is an archival dealer provenance tag dated July 26, 1996, which accurately correlates this form to historically recorded patterns (Sandwich Base #2049 / Font #2064).

• Origin: Sandwich, Massachusetts, USA

• Manufacturer: Boston & Sandwich Glass Company

• Age: Circa 1835 – 1845 (Early Classical Period)

• Material: Heavy Lead Flint Glass, Pewter, Cork

• Dimensions: Approximately 9.25" Total Height (Base to top of burner) x 3" Base Width.

Condition Report: Excellent Antique Condition & Preservation

• Glassware: The heavy lead flint glass shows zero cracks, structural chips, or clouding. As expected with authentic 1830s glass, faint internal manufacturing straw marks and microscopic air bubbles are present.

• Base: Minor, expected micro-flea bites and typical mold-line roughness along the underside edge of the pressed base feet, confirming authentic period use and production.

• Patina & Burner: The pewter plate and double wicks retain their completely original, dry, uncleaned state with a deep grey historical patina. The cork core remains structural and beautifully preserved.

Reference

• Book Title: Oil Lamps: The Kerosene Era in North America

• Author: Catherine M. Thuro

• Page/Section Reference: Page 24–29 (Detailing early glass wafer construction, pressed stepped bases, and the engineering of early collarless fluid fonts).

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