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BULB DISCUSSION BOARDS => Antique Bulb Discussion => Topic started by: KT66 on May 25, 2011, 11:45:41 am

Title: Early light bulb ID
Post by: KT66 on May 25, 2011, 11:45:41 am

Is it best to look at the type of base used to tell the age of a light bulb? I'm sure many of you who have been collecting for some time know the other things to look for. 

Title: Re: Early light bulb ID
Post by: Tim on May 26, 2011, 09:39:57 pm

Hi, welcome to the forum.  There are many different features to look for when trying to determine the age of an old bulb.  In addition the base, collectors should pay attention to the bulb's filament (filament material), how the filament is attached to the lead-in wires, the material of the lead-in wires (dumet, platinum, etc.), the exhaust tip, manufacturer's labels (if still present on the bulb), etc., etc.  I take into account all of these things when trying to determine the approximate age of a bulb rather than just going by a single feature.  Here's a nice guide provided by experienced collector Raymond Weinstein that covers Edison and General Electric carbon filament lamps.  It should provide a good starting point for you:

http://bulbcollector.com/article018.html

Title: Re: Early light bulb ID
Post by: KT66 on May 27, 2011, 02:06:13 am

Quote from: Tim on May 26, 2011, 09:39:57 pm

Hi, welcome to the forum.  There are many different features to look for when trying to determine the age of an old bulb.  In addition the base, collectors should pay attention to the bulb's filament (filament material), how the filament is attached to the lead-in wires, the material of the lead-in wires (dumet, platinum, etc.), the exhaust tip, manufacturer's labels (if still present on the bulb), etc., etc.  I take into account all of these things when trying to determine the approximate age of a bulb rather than just going by a single feature.  Here's a nice guide provided by experienced collector Raymond Weinstein that covers Edison and General Electric carbon filament lamps.  It should provide a good starting point for you:

http://bulbcollector.com/article018.html

Thank you Tim!