Blake’s lantern shack. I’m a collector and restorer of vintage camping equipment. I started this journey about 9 years ago and it became addicting. My collecting has slowed down a bit but I still mainly enjoy going to as many regional Coleman collector gatherings and events as possible. Some of the best people you will ever meet are in this hobby and they become like family that I get to see at least a couple times a year. I do some repair and sales to the public as time and supplies permit with my busy Dad schedule. I try and help people out with parts as well. I do most of my Facebook posting and interaction on the due-south Coleman collectors group. Check out my Facebook page @blakesvintagecamping
Couldn't agree more. I have quite a few. And my favorite to use is a 1973 220 that I literally dug out of a dirt floor in a shed 20 years ago. It looks like crap, but is one of the nicest running lanterns I own. It's definitely a keeper. Really like this video. Thank you
I got into restoring Coleman lanterns back during the beginning of the pandemic. I was out of work from my home remodeling / repairs job and I needed some projects to keep me sane. I ended up finding some great deals on letgo and Craigslist then and restored an old 3 burner stove and 4 ugly lanterns. I don't have a lot of spare storage room so I stopped collecting for the last 3 years but last month my wife's Aunt gave me an old JC Higgins lantern and I had a great time fixing it up and making it run again. So I purchased the ICCC collectors book recently and I've decided to get back into it again. I don't think I will be repainting anymore lanterns but Id like to put together a really cool collection of several different lanterns and building an awesome display shelf up high in my garage. Live in Eastern NC and would love to go to a meet up sometime. Thanks for posting this video!
I've been collecting seriously for about a year. I am a member of a few forums but I find that there are a few people on there who just love to break you down, and then there are the purists who think you should not repaint anything and blast you when you do it. My feelings is that it is MY lantern how does it affect you if I paint MY lantern, if I want to spend however much for a lantern that I want no matter what type it is that's my business and it makes me happy. If I paint my Gold Bond purple, it's MY lantern and MY business not theirs.
I'm looking to maybe collect a few. I'm not too old but I remember these when I was a child when my dad took us camping or if I was a camping with friends. Someone always had a coleman lantern or two lit up by dark . Or if our power went out a coleman lantern was there. They are definitely a cool piece of Americana and history.
That was a 220S or 220G prototypes they experimenting with the tip cleaner design they later used on the H. They experimented with that is the mid 60’s with the S and later 60’s I think with the one labeled G. Can’t remember exact dates at the moment but there’s examples on the terry marsh lantern website
Thanks for the video, and I appreciated your advice. I started collecting when I was probably 14 years old after I found a little 321b in an antique store. I'm 20 now and I have probably 40 lanterns and 8 or so stoves. I have probably six 247s and my favorite 247 is an all seafoam with half the paint missing and a vent that looks like its about to become 2 pieces. My user 236 has a cracked globe, a spun vent stud with a piece of threaded rod welded to it, and a wing nut in place of the vent nut. Sure my shiny ones are nice, but because they're so nice I never want to use them. And that makes them less special in a way because lanterns are supposed to make light, not sit on a shelf.
You will find in life God works in strange ways , It does not seem that things are not going your way but in the end thing work out for the better you just could not see when you are going through it . When you look back on things you can usually see that he is in your corner .
Hey Blake , very nice collection . I hear that the Sears lanterns are actually made by a Japanese company not Colmen product . I have a stove and it seems to be a little better build . Yes I love Colmen products and collect them too . Up here in Canada there are not near as much stuff . You guys are lucky .
What a great video. I always was torn between functional and beautiful. After watching this video I am definitely going the way of functionality over beautiful. My favorite lantern is a 1949 242C that I pulled out of a dumpster. I got around to cleaning it after watching videos and that really lights up the back yard! Thanks again for the stories behind the lanterns and the names. I now am going to name my lanterns, even though I have 6 right now.
Man that is a cool setup your working. I've got an idea for that lantern shelf. Cut that nice looking board down to size, then get ya some 2x6. Place a lantern on the 2x6 and trace around the fount, then cut that circle out with a router. Making basically a collar for the lantern to sit inside. You could also cut and round the edges of the board Making it like a donut. Make 10 of those collars then space them out on your shelf. Throw some liquid nail on the bottom of the collar and tack it down with some finishing nails. Once thats done stain it how you like. Im thinking a 2x6 would be thick enough to secure it as long as you cut the hole so the fount fits snug inside. The collars would take some effort to make but it should work and look pretty neat.
Hi Blake this is only the second video of yours ive seen. I stumbled upon your channel by accident looking for lantern collectors content. As with everyone I'm going through some tough stuff right now. Ive been struggling with my walk with the lord. And what you had to say in this video really helped me to see God from a different perspective. Some parts brought a tear to my eye and was exactly what i needed to hear right when i needed to hear it. And with that comforting hiss of the lantern burning in the background really complimented everything. I hope that you do more studies like this in the future. I just loved this thank you so much. I have a few ideas on what you could name this series. (God's word bye lantern light) (Lamp light Bible study) (Lantern shack Bible study) (Burning for the word) Anyway those were just a few i could come up with off the top of my head. Have a blessed day and hope to hear from you soon.
Thank you for the encouragement. I’ve had kinda a rough summer and hadn’t been able to make any more videos lately. This gives me encouragement to try and get out and do some more. Thanks brother.
Really dig the shed full. I feel the same. I like to take the oldies and just clean them up and make them live again with the grandson. He's only 2 but he knows how one goes back together belive it or not. He sees my petros,sears,duras,.. and will tell ya "not a Coleman "...
Pretty new to the collecting thing but as I was getting ready to go to camp and went to pick out a lantern to take along. looking over some pretty nice almost new lanterns and what did I pick an old 288A that I got for a few bucks with a homemade reflector and bad paint job (vent and all) that I got from an older retired gentelman (I'm 71 so I mean old..lol) that was parting with some gear. It was his favorite fishing lantern. I think it needs to go back out again....lol Guaranteed it will never be altered..
My dad just gave me are 275 from our boy scout days.. 1980.. so now I have the bug just got me a 220b from a flea market for ten bucks and sent off to Coleman wait for it to come back
Nice video. I have a few colman stoves and lanterns. One of them has a few good old dings from 63 i run it alot as well as a recent score of a newer 2011 duel fuel lantern.
I enjoyed the video and content! Thank you for taking 40 minutes out of your life to speak your mind on how you view scripture. It took me a long time in life to realize that a single word can mean different things to different people. That might tie in to what you were saying about people interpreting scripture differently than others. Prayers sent up for you and your family as always!
Couldn’t agree more, I’m not really into the Coleman’s because there are not very many available where I am (Ireland) mostly Tilleys, bialaddin, and the hurricane oil lamps. But I love the ones with a bit of character and especially the ones that have had some mods or fixed up. I got a fuerhand atom if you are familiar with this lamp but it’s tiny. When I looked in the font there was a wick about 2ft long and dirty. I cleaned the wick and it turned out to be a boot lace. As the lamp is from around the Second World War period I can only presume that some soldier cursed when he broke his boot lace but then decided to repurpose it as a wick. How cool is that ! Thanks for the vid. Keep em lit.
I'm a coleman collector and Christian also. It does my heart good to see someone like minded as me. You speak from the heart, and you are doing the Lords work here. Keep up the "good work" you will certainly be blessed! I love to see someone like you who is not ashamed of his beliefs! The harvest is plentiful but the laborer's are few! You will certainly help someone with this that really needs it. I look forward to seeing your future content...
Hey Blake I hear ya Budd lot guys in the groups and forums can be straight jerks I try stay away from them I just love collecting a Coleman Lanterns I’m only in few Facebook groups not sure if we’re in the same ones at all just thought I’d say hey and very nice collection as long as they burn bright that’s all that matters 👍🏻 you gained a new subscriber 🙂
Yes nice collection of old Coleman naptha pressure lanterns there! Yes fall of last year & got into collecting lanterns of various shapes & sizes, even a few Adlake lanterns! Even got parts to get a few going & a new lantern from W.T. Kirkman lanterns! 🙂🙂 Yup subscribed to your channel!👍👍
I recently got into these & I'm also a VW bus guy. I only own 3 lanterns (Coleman 220J, Blue/black big hat Sears, "Avocado" green Sears) but definitely see more in my future. The thing I learned with my bus & lanterns is that they have a story and if it's beat & rusty it's probably been through some stuff which gives it character. I'd rather have a beat up, rusted out lantern that was used than something that's pristine, never fired and just sits on a shelf. When I buy stuff, I use it & have fun with it. I bought a Coleman 502 stove from 66' that was never fired and literally brand new in the box with all the paper work. The previous owner kept it as a show piece. Within a few minutes of me getting it, I fired it up and cooked dinner on it. haha
I done the same thing to a unfired 520 ww2 stove. People cringed, it was unfired and I fired it up and boiled coffee on it. I still got double $ wise what I thought it was worth unfired and still enjoyed it.
@Blakes Lantern Shack right! It's the same with people who buy mint antique cars & just let them sit in the garage. If i buy something that was meant to be used, you better believe ill be using it! Lol
Nice video and even better content. I remember my grandpa spending a few hours every Saturday going into early Sunday getting his Sunday school lesson ready for his age group for over 10 years. I’m positive you’ll get your reading of scripture and what it means to you finer tuned soon. I’m always up for talking about Jesus/God at gatherings. You’ll get no judgment from me 👍🏻
I'm new to the hobby (December 22) and so far I've found some nice stuff but my best runners are a little bit crappy. I've got a 59 220E that cost me $20, its crusty and rusty, the bail is tweaked, the clocking of the tip cleaner/frame etc is all off but it runs so good. That gives it character.
Thanks for the video Blake. It’s a good message in general. Friendships, the stories, and the history is what this is all about. I have always believed that an original condition anything tells the story and history way better than one that is pristine. The big takeaway for me and something I wished I would have done was not to be so impatient and pay top dollar on eBay. I have a few that either need to sit for a few years or take a loss. Either way no biggie, I learned. My eye has always leaned to the crusty stuff and when that comes from a friend it becomes priceless.
Wonderful video! Speaking of birthday lanterns, Michael Ramsey gave me mine. I like to say it has some rust, it's got some scratches, and a few dings. Just like me. You don't get through this world with out showing a few signs. I wouldn't have it any other way. Hope to see you at the next gathering.
That’s awesome Andy. Thanks. I’m definitely looking forward to it. I told William the other day that I feel like the first few gatherings after Covid we spent so much time just catching up with each other as friends from being away so long the lanterns weren’t as important or kinda a side note. Which that’s fine too but This last gathering, with as many new people too,it kinda helped some us more seasoned collectors enthusiasm get sparked back up to mess with this stuff. It had definitely took a back burner for me. With all these new collectors coming around they picked my brain and was asking me questions about lanterns I hadn’t had to think about in a long time. It was cool to actually be able to share allot of knowledge with people.
I’ve got an idea for a deal I’m going to do every few days. Think I’ll call it the “daily light”. Light up a lantern, talk about it a little bit and then have a Bible study/devotional type thing. Not very long. I can mess with my lanterns and will push me to dig into the scripture more. With all I’ve had going on lately I think that will help make me stronger and maybe help someone else.
Nice all around and informative video Blake! It took me a few years to finally appreciate those lanterns and stoves that have earned their history. Hopefully alot of the newer collectors take your advice. You did a fantastic job with hosting our last gathering! You’re a great ambassador to our hobby in my opinion. I’m looking forward to future videos my friend and have a blessed day.
My dad just gave me our 275 from our boy scout days...1980..now I have the bug. Jus let bought a 220b for 10 bucks sent it off to Coleman waiting for it to come back...
Just subbed. Been following your Facebook group under the name Rob Hall. Looks like this is going to be a great build. Really looking forward to seeing how you build the shelf to transport your lanterns. I had to pause my camper build for the winter. Now I think you got me motivated again. Thanks for sharing and God bless.
I thoroughly enjoyed the video! If you have some of that thick padded stuff that goes on the bottom of furniture to keep it from scratching the floor, it might raise that up enough and you won’t have to cut anything. It’d cut down on the chattering while you’re driving down the road as well. I’m looking forward to future videos and it sounds like you’ve got a great gameplan for getting it the way you want it 👍🏻
