Figure 21. — Patent model of 

 1876 tin torch. (Smithsonian 

 photo 50551.) 



■igure 22. — Broom torch, 1876, ;i.s shown 

 in patent q4ti, issued August i, 1876. 

 (Smithsonian photo 5320)9.) 



Figure 23. — P.atent model of 

 1876 tin torch. (Smithsonian 

 photo 50549.) 



recently for effect and are in no way associated with 

 the original device. The torch bowl is 6 inches in 

 diameter at the top, 3 inches at the bottom, 5% inches 

 high, and the supporting frame is 7 inches high. 



SM.^LL TIN TORCH, CIRCA 1 868 Figure IS 



L'S\.\I 227739 (Becker Collection) 



Of a smaller size, but of the same general construc- 

 tion as those in figures 16 and 17, this torch bears a 

 lamp-type burner marked "Meriden B. Miller & Co., 

 Conn." The torch bowl is only 2]'% inches high and 

 has a diameter of approximately 2Js inches. 



HOR.ACE GREELEY HAT TORCH, Figure W 



1872 

 No example found. 



A most unusual and interesting campaign torch is 

 this one patented in 1872 by Thomas Adams of 

 Hudson City, New Jersey. Shaped like the crown 

 of a soft hat, with a burner in the upper part and with 

 the base of the lamp designed like the brim of a hat, 

 this torch was made to resemble Horace Greeley's 

 hat. The staff or carrying pole forms no part of the 

 design. 



COMBINED TORCH AND Figure 20 



CANDLE HOLDER, 1 876 



No example found. 



By 1876, torchlight parades were nearing their peak 

 and during that year some five or more improved or 

 different torches appeared. This type was patented 

 by Augustus Tufts of Maiden, Massachusetts, in 1876. 

 This in\ention consisted of a comijined torch and 

 holder for Roman candles, colored lights, and 

 rockets.^ 



TIN TORCH, 1876 Figure 21 



USNM 332317 (Patent model) 



George F. Hollis of Boston, Massachusetts, in 1876 

 patented this improvement in the swinging torches by 

 adding a double-swing device made of wire rather 

 than the old type made of sheet metal. The bowl of 

 this torch measures 4 inches high and has a 5-inch 

 diameter; the diameter of the wire bracket is 6]'^ 

 inches. The burner is of brass. This in\ cntion made 

 it possible to produce a cheaper torch. 



' The third claim of the original patent regarding the spring- 

 feeder device in the handle of the torch infringed on one 

 patented by S. W. Francis (patent 147926 issued February 24, 

 1874), and thus was denied to Tufts. 



PAPER 45: POLITICAL CA.MP.AIGN TORCHES 



25 



