1970s

Alladins Lamp

Permalink:	Aladdin
Series:	500
Years Available:	Late 1970’s
Original MSRP:	$29.99
Bulb used:	40w intermediate
Discussions and more Pictures:	Aladdins on OozingGoo

Model	Base	Liquid	Wax
502	Brass	Yellow	Orange (Red)
503	Brass	Blue	Green
506	Brass	Clear	Red

The Alladins Lamp (note spelling) was a stunning themed addition to the Lava line-up. A hemispherical base, wide end up, was topped by a shallow conical top with a flared opening that held the 32 oz. globe. The base sat on a shallow, domed pedestal, and was adorned with a black metal or plastic spout attached to one side and a black plastic handle, ending in a neat scroll, attached to the other. The base and cap were satin brass. A pretty and collectible model which, at 9″ wide, was among the widest lamps.

There are two versions with different base heights. The bowl’s height is what differs, and one photo above pictures both. The shorter style stands 14″ tall, the taller 16″. The reversed handle shown above is a very rare variant, not shown in any known catalog. It is owned by Clark Jester.

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Aztec

Permalink:	Aztec
Model Number:	200
Years Available:	1980?-1982?
Original MSRP:	$29.99
Bulb used:	A15 40W
Discussions and more Pictures:	Aztecs on OozingGoo

Model	Base	Liquid	Wax
205	Copper	Clear	Sun Gold

The Aztec was part of the “new for the 80s” Rainbow series of four models. Unlike any other lamp, its finish was metallic enamel. Some were more reddish, others brownish. Otherwise, it was an Enchantress type. The lava was a golden orange color, used only twice, the latter a short-lived Midnight color in 1989.

The other Rainbows have their own entry, being a plain painted finish.

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Carlisle

Permalink:	Carlisle
Series:	300
Years Available:	1970 – 1984
Original MSRP:	$19.99
Bulb used:	40W S11 intermediate
Discussions and more Pictures:	Carlisles on OozingGoo

Model	Base	Liquid	Wax
302	Brass	Yellow	Orange (Red after 1980)
303	Brass	Blue	Green
305	Brass	Clear	Red

“Stylishness with simplicity; beauty without blandness,” said the catalog. A very simple, uncluttered design, featuring a base which continues the shape of the globe, and has starlite perforations for a dash of flair. Unfortunately the metal was thin and is prone to dents. The Wizard series, introduced around 1997, used the same aesthetic. The Carlisle stood 14″ tall.

Circa 1980, catalogs began referring to orange/yellow as red/yellow.

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Lava Coach Lantern aka Coach Lantern aka Coachlite

Permalink:	Coachlite Lantern
Series:	6000
Years Available:	1970-1990
Original MSRP:	Approximately $32
Bulb used:	A15 40W
Discussions and more Pictures:	Coachlite Lanterns on OozingGoo

Model	Base	Liquid	Wax
6002	Copper	Yellow	Orange (Red)
6003	Copper	Blue	Green (discont. 1980s)
6003	Copper	Blue	White (1989-1990)
6006	Copper	Clear	Red (the only color in the mid-80s)

Perhaps no Lava Lite is as universally-admired by collectors as the Coach Lantern. The workmanship, especially of the earlier styles, is top-notch, and the coppery finish is lovely. The large 52 oz. globe stands out. All are made from aluminum, copper-plated. A fair bit of confusion exists around the variations in this series. Hopefully, the following descriptions will make these clearer.

Crestworth in the UK produced the first design as the Astro Lantern; the UK has always had a traditional nostalgia, and copper things were always popular there. They also marketed this model in Europe. While not explicitly-stated, Lava Corporation was clearly purchasing the framework, beginning in or slightly before 1970, and installing their own sockets, cords & globes. The Crestworth version has a shiny, orange-copper finish, a faux kerosene filling cap on the right-hand side on one side of the base, and side rods which screwed into round-top steel nuts which are riveted into the base. These and a third forming the handle were connected using knurled screws to a decorative top cover via thick posts at the sides of said cover. The handle can be folded down, and the rods are attached securely enough that the entire lamp can be carried by its handle, though supportingthe base is nonetheless advised. Small variations in the fill cap design and in the two lines scribed around the upper cone exist.

Regarding the Crestworth Astro Lantern, the earliest used slotted screws instead of knurled, smooth-head ones, and were offered only in “Port” (Rose liquid/Ruby lava) & “Starboard” (Yellow-Green liquid/Topaz or yellow lava) colors, though later they were sold in all available colors. They can be cleaned up with a non-abrasive metal polish, provided the copper plating is in good condition.

Around 1972, Lava began either making its own, or having it made for them, presumably domestically. This version, sometimes called the “matte-finish Coach Lantern,” has a matte finish on salmnon-colored copper. The other difference is that the side portions of the handle are vertical or nearly so, vs. Crestworth’s strong outward angle.

An early gift catalog advertisement from 1974 shows this model, though it’s likely that this style had been changed by then. This lamp is quite rare:

Next we have what is known as the “semi-copper Coach Lantern.” The faux kerosene fill cap has been moved to the left of the base and doesn’t have the two scribed lines on it like the earlier models. Two versions of this lamp exist. One has a brass base and short brass top. Filler cap and bail wires are finished in copper. The second has a brass base and tall copper top (similar to the one seen on the Matte Finish Coach Lantern). Fill cap, rods & handle are finished in copper. Both this and the preceding type are p;ictured in catalogs until at least 1974; either Lava sent old photos, or companies used what they already had. There’s some uncertainty as to whether this version or the one before came first.

The difference between the two varieties is the design and finish of the lamp top:

The next version of the Coach Lantern came in 1975. It’s commonly referred to as the “brass Coach Lantern.” The lamp is made of lacquered aluminum. The finish is distinct to this lamp as it is indeed a brass color, but with a polished finish and a slight hint of copper that was unlike the brushed brass of many of the other models. The top cover is short, there’s no faux fill cap on the base, and the one piece rods/handle assembly clips into holes in the base and snaps into slots in the cover’s posts, with knurled screws holding it in place. This handle, being aluminum and only clipped into the base,. cannot support the lamp by itself; when carrying, hold the base securely as well.

Left to right: Crestworth/Copper Coach Lantern, Matte Coach lantern, Semi-copper Coach lantern, Brass Coach Lantern.

This version was only produced (in China) for a few years, and only with the globe pictured. It looks similar to the “brass Coach Lantern” but with a brighter finish, a different handle & rod connection (also not very strong), and the faux kerosene fill cap loosely-imitated with a gold-colored plastic rotary dimmer knob on the front-center of the base.

Regarding colors: at some point in the 1980s, when other lamps came only in 02 yellow/red & 03 blue/green (which darkened and became blue/white at some point), the Coach was only available in 06 red/clear. In 1990, 02 blue/white was added, possibly in an attempt to make it more popular. The model was discontinued in 1991.

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Mediterranean

Permalink:	Mediterranean
Series:	2940
Years Available:	1971?-1979? (lava)
Years Available:	1970s (GemLite)
Original MSRP:	$19.95
Bulb used:	T7 15W
Discussions and More Pictures:	Mediterranean’s on OozingGoo

Model	Base	Liquid	Wax
2942	Black	Yellow	Orange (Red)
2943	Black	Blue	Green
2946	Black	Clear	Red
2950	Black	Clear	Silver glitter

This beautiful lamp followed the 1970s trend in Mediterranean furnishings. This model used a Consort globe, cup and cap, supported perhaps 4″ off the table by three legs made from segments of bent steel bands made to resemble scrolls of wrought iron. The base and scrolls were finished in a dull black, the cap was matte black plastic. 13 1/4″ tall, 4 1/4″ diameter. A GemLite version exists, the only GemLite with a four-digit number.

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