Figure 4. — Campaign torch, circa 

 (Smithsonian photo 49927-."^.) 



i860. 



Figure 5. — Small tin torch, i860. 

 (Smithsonian photo 49457-6.) 



the drippings from falling on their clothing. Another 

 feature of this invention is that when tilted, the joints 

 from which the lamps are hung do not come into 

 direct contact with the flame. The patentee pointed 

 out that earlier models made of soft metal had 

 resulted in melted joints, causing them to unsolder 

 and fall apart. The bowl of this torch measures 

 5 inches in diameter and is 3% inches high, while the 

 inner oscillating frame is 6% inches in diameter. 



CAMPAIGN TORCH, CIRCA 1860 Figure 4 



USNM 245215.1 (Watson accession) 



This funnel-shaped torch follows the same patented 

 idea as that of L. T. Pitkin. The bowl is 5 inches high 

 and the diameter is A]^ inches. The burner is rather 

 crude and contains a cork stopper pushed into a 

 1 -inch-high receptacle soldered to the top of the bowl. 

 An additional patent was not located for this torch, 

 and since the mechanism is so similar to that of Pit- 

 kin's, it was proljably never issued. 



DOUBLE-BURNER Figure 3 



CAMPAIGN TORCH, 1 860 

 USNM 245425 (Jewett Tin Collection) 



C. H. Cooper of New York, in I860, also patented 

 a similar torch to the one illustrated in figure 2, using 

 the same device which L. T. Pitkin had devised, but 

 increasing the lighting effect by adding another wick 

 thus making a double-light torch. The bowl of the 

 torch also was made so that the double burner could 

 be removed and a single one inserted if desired. 



SMALL TIN TORCH, 1 860 Figure 5 



USNM 240719 (Haverlin accession) 



This small tin fount torch contains a simple burner 

 and a wick. The legend "Hurrah for Lincoln" 

 appears to be contemporary and suggests that it was 

 used either during the political campaign of 1860, 

 1864, or both. The torch is inscribed on the bottom 

 as having been used in South Haven, Michigan. It 

 is 5% inches high including the wick and has a diam- 

 eter of 3% inches. The supporting device is 1 1 inches 

 high. 



PAPER 4 5 : POLITICAL CAMPAIGN TORCHES 



19 



