Oil Lamps

Near the turn of the twentieth century, the mass production of affordable lighting forever changed how we work, play, and live. This tectonic shift is directly related to the availability of cheap petroleum-based oil and the refinement of the kerosene lamp. Author Catherine Thuro devoted years of research to compiling a record of these formerly ubiquitous lighting devices. Oil Lamps is her first masterpiece: a comprehensive, invaluable resource. With over 1,000 lamps shown in detailed studio photographs, clearly reproduced illustrations from catalogues and trade journals, this book is the definitive visual compilation of kerosene lamps and accessories. The clear photography is also matched by detailed and engaging explanations about the origins of lamp styles.
Thuro places the kerosene lamp in cultural and historical context, discussing the revolutionary large-scale production of these luminaries, the wide array of raw material used, and the far-reaching consequences of a society literally brought into the light on a massive scale. For both historical and comparative information, this a must-have reference for collectors.

An in-depth exploration of lamps of the Kerosene Age, this renowned work contains over 900 photographs, illustrations from catalogues and journals, and detailed descriptions of over 1000 lamp models. The definitive text on the subject, Oil Lamps is an invaluable resource for collectors, students, and researchers of early lighting in North America.
Catherine Thuro is a designer by profession. Following study in the School of Architecture at Auburn University, Alabama, she has applied her considerable talents in such diverse fields as architectural, interior, and landscape design, furniture, costumes and displays. For the past fifteen years she has conducted a successful practice as a landscape consultant. Catherine lives in Toronto, Canada, with her husband and three teenage sons.