Need some advice on what I've got

[AgnotGt]

Hi all

I'm helping a friend who's dad died. He was the only one who knew the age or value. She has no place for them and so needs to sell. but...

Can anyone enlighten me as to what range of value? She's asking 280 for the pair and I don't know if that's too low or way to high.

Here's a link to the ad which includes pics. As I remember they are a little bigger than 12" x 12"

Thanks for any help from the wealth of knowledge here! Glenn

P.S. Not looking to sell them here; just info.

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/scz/clt/d/ships-lanterns/6542155970.html

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[Maclin]

KInda cool. I always look around on eBay and Craigslist to see what they are going for, or on eBay what they eventually sold for.

 

[AgnotGt]

Any idea of what type of ship they might have been on? Age? They look older and I haven't seen (google) any that look similar....

 

[alldodge]

I would believe these are older barge navigation lights. They had a long cord to run them up to the front barge on pushers, or hang along the cable towing one



Now days they use long life rechargeable ones

 

[Sea Rider]

Seem pricey, add restoration cost if wanting having them in mint condition.

Happy Boating

 

[AgnotGt]

I would believe these are older barge navigation lights. They had a long cord to run them up to the front barge on pushers, or hang along the cable towing one


Now days they use long life rechargeable ones

Thanks that gives me some reference point. I haven't examened them in person so there might be some ID plate that will help also.

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Seem pricey, add restoration cost if wanting having them in mint condition.

Happy Boating

Seemed a bit high to me also; but arguing with my friends daughter didn't seem appropriate....

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[Ned L]

I’d say they are fairly generic commercial running lights (port & starboard), and are/were galvanized steel. Thay are not at all ‘vessel specific’, and would not have been hung on any cable to a barge, they would have been ‘permanently’ installed. Given their size they would probably been on something pushing 100 ft or larger. Could have been on anything from a barge to a tug boat, ferry boat, larger commercial fishing boat, small freighter, tanker, oiler, or anything else that floats. It is conceivable they were even on a coastal schooner at the end of the age of Sail. They were always electric and never oil lamps. I’d put their age as 1920’s - 1950’s, and say your asking price is on the upper end of what you could expect (though not unreasonable), You’d probably make out best as ‘decorator’ items (restaurant-bar-...) and not so much as marine running lights.
I think unfortunately their large size diesn’t Do them any favors today as they aren’t something you put on a shelf in your living room as ‘nautical decor’. They also will not clean up nicely as if they were brass, pretty much what they are is how they should be left.

if there is a small oval tag on the back, or the remains of oval tags they were probably made by Perko (Perkins Marine).

 

[dwco5051]

Thay are not at all ‘vessel specific’, and would not have been hung on any cable to a barge, they would have been ‘permanently’ installed.

I have to go with alldodge on their use. If you look at the pictures on the ebay listing they were not permanently fastened but made to slip down over a bracket. The value seems a little high but you never will know what someone will pay until they are sold.

 

[AgnotGt]

I’d say they are fairly generic commercial running lights (port & starboard), and are/were galvanized steel. Thay are not at all ‘vessel specific’, and would not have been hung on any cable to a barge, they would have been ‘permanently’ installed. Given their size they would probably been on something pushing 100 ft or larger. Could have been on anything from a barge to a tug boat, ferry boat, larger commercial fishing boat, small freighter, tanker, oiler, or anything else that floats. It is conceivable they were even on a coastal schooner at the end of the age of Sail. They were always electric and never oil lamps. I’d put their age as 1920’s - 1950’s, and say your asking price is on the upper end of what you could expect (though not unreasonable), You’d probably make out best as ‘decorator’ items (restaurant-bar-...) and not so much as marine running lights.
I think unfortunately their large size diesn’t Do them any favors today as they aren’t something you put on a shelf in your living room as ‘nautical decor’. They also will not clean up nicely as if they were brass, pretty much what they are is how they should be left.

if there is a small oval tag on the back, or the remains of oval tags they were probably made by Perko (Perkins Marine).

WoW! Thanks Ned!

That's just the info I had hoped for!!! Almost a history lesson. My friend had them on his outside deck overlooking a river. I never asked him where or when he got them. With any luck someone will have "just" the place for them. They need more than a bookshelf that's for sure....

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[alldodge]

Just found one on ebay and their saying Durkee Marine, says it weights 15 to 20 pounds, select details to see write up

https://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-DURKEE-MARINE-PRODUCTS-PORT-SHIPS-LIGHT-LAMP-LANTERN-/252731117077

 

[Ned L]

Different one on eBay. Might be Durkee, or Perko, or Wilcox Crittenden, or National Marine Lamp, or any one of a dozen other makers.

 

[roffey]

Personally I would keep them, but I guess different strokes for different folks. As far as a price goes I think she is farther ahead to start high and negotiate down if required.

I would love to put those in my den, anything nautical works for me.