Old Lamp Values        An Online Guide to Antique Lamps

Burning Fluid Lamps

While manufactured in the same time period as whale oil lamps, burning fluid lamps were only in use for a relatively brief amount of time. Beginning with the first burning fluid fuel patent in 1830, burning fluid lamps flourished as a desirable alternative to whale oil lamps until the mainstream introduction of kerosene lamps in the 1860s.

Burning fluid lamp fuel produced a brilliant white light without smoke or odor. However, because the burning fluid fuel was by nature a mixture of various flammable components, early versions of burning fluid fuel used in whale oil lamps sometimes exploded. This problem was remedied by the introduction of specialized burning fluid lamps. These burning fluid lamps had a smaller reservoir (called a font in a lamp) to hold the burning fluid fuel so that less flammable gas could back up into the font.  

Original burning fluid lamps with original burning fluid burners are not common. Burning fluid lamps in good condition and with a desirable style are generally sold in the range of a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. Paired burning fluid lamps can be worth even more.

If you have a burning fluid lamp you would like to know more about, send us an email with a picture of it and we’d be happy to give you our opinion and make a purchase offer.

If you aren’t sure what kind of old lamp you have, ask us about it! We’re always happy tell our customers more about their old lamps.

Here are some frequently asked questions about burning fluid lamps:

Where can I sell my burning fluid lamp?

How much is a burning fluid lamp worth?

Is my burning fluid lamp a reproduction?

Also see:  Fluid Lamps, Kerosene Lamps, Whale Oil Lamps, Gone with the Wind Lamps