EMBURY NO. 210 SUPREME

EMBURY NO. 210 SUPREME

 

COMMISSIONED BY THE WORKS PROJECT ADMINISTRATION (W.P.A.) FOR THE 1936 RURAL ELECTRIFYING ACT ENACTED BY PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT.   It was found in a deserted mine in the Mohave Desert.

 

The Rural Electrification Act of 1936, enacted on May 20, 1936, provided federal loans for the installation of electrical distribution systems to serve isolated rural areas of the United States.  The crews, themselves, need Kerosene Lanterns for light and the U.S. government purchased lanterns from Embury and other mfgs.  The lanterns them had a ‘badge’ soldered on the fount of the lantern for property identification.  The badge on this lantern is copper.

 

Over time, as electricity was brought to the farms and homes, the majority of Kerosene lanterns were discarded.  Same with any of the lanterns that were used by the W.P.A. workers.  This is truly a rare and historical find.

This identical WPA lantern is owned by Robert Smith. I honestly did not think that another identical WPA lantern would surface, but it did.  Keep in mind that once electricity was brought to the rural areas, these lanterns were usually discarded as the owners saw no further value in them. 

 

"Found at a thrift store in Glendora, CA, this Embury 210 Supreme with it's copper WPA tag on the fount, is a very rare survivor of the mid to late 30s. This one was used by the WPA for it's rural electrification project, of 1936."

Comments: 5
  • #5

    Mel-Owner (Wednesday, 15 January 2020 17:25)

    It's a pleasure to meet you Robert and I am very happy to showcase your beautiful WPA lantern next to mine!

  • #4

    Robert Smith (Wednesday, 15 January 2020 16:23)

    Thanks for posting my photos, great to see them both together, even though only in photos.

    I would encourage any other collector, who may also have an Embury 210, with a copper WPA tag, to share their lantern, too! Would love to get an idea how many more of these have survived.

  • #3

    Robert Smith (Thursday, 02 January 2020 12:38)

    Hi Mel-Owner, yes I'll check out the main contact form and I'll send you a link to my flickr page, where I have photos of the lantern up.

    Cheers!

  • #2

    Mel-Owner (Thursday, 19 December 2019 07:36)

    Hello Robert,

    I'd love to see your WPA lantern. Can you use the main contact form and then we can communicate that way?

  • #1

    Robert Smitih (Wednesday, 18 December 2019 16:06)

    Hi! Just happened to find your post here, first let me say, it's a great find and restoration!

    Second, I have the same lantern! I actually found it at a local thrift store! Mine was missing the fuel cap and the globe but, complete and very straight aside from that. Spent the weekend cleaning it up, and it came out very close to how yours looks! I mean, it’s the same lantern, it’s an Embryo 210 Supreme, with the copper WPA tag on the fount.

    I’d love to share some photos, it’s always fun to see more of these things!

    Sincerely,

    Robert Smith-