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Eleco HW851 Welwyn MKIII, 100-200w GLS lantern

Eleco HW851 Welwyn lantern for 100-200w tungsten lamps. A quaint looking wide-brimmed open refractor top-entry lantern from Eleco for use with either 100-200w tungsten or 80/125w mercury lamps. The example shown is designed for use with tungsten lamps, being fitted with a standard 2-pin porcelain bayonet lamp holder, rather than the 3-pin bayonet lamp holders associated with mercury lamps. Although probably not as popular as the enclosed versions (HW852 Ware and HW853 Baldock lanterns), the Welwyn lantern was ideally suited for use on minor roads in suburban and rural locations in the1950's and 60's. One of the advantages of these open lanterns is that they don't have the same problems with insect and particle ingress that enclosed lanterns often suffer from, as a build up of debris in the bottom of the enclosed bowl will eventually affect light output and light distribution if left unchecked.

Nothing is known about this delightful little lantern's history, other than it came from East Sussex, and was once mounted on a wood pole bracket. The lantern is complete and is in excellent condition, and will require only a modest amount of restoration work to bring it back to its original condition. The lantern was acquired for the collection from fellow collector Bob Cookson.

General View of the Welwyn open refractor lantern showing the large refractor dome. The shape of the canopy's neck with the heavily chamfered top edge is synonymous with the design of other small top-entry lanterns offered by Eleco at the time.

Underside view of the lantern reveals the porcelain lamp holder for bayonet cap GLS lamps, and the two powerful spring clips that hold the large glass refractor ring in position.

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Please note that all pictures are by Claire Pendrous, or are part of the Claire Pendrous photographic collection unless otherwise stated; none of these images can be copied without obtaining prior permission.