Gas Lamp Lighters (2)

These tools at Smith’s Tavern are antique Victorian gas lamp lighter's lighting sticks that were used by a lamplighter to light gas street lights.  The version on Panel 7 has a longer handle than the version on the left top shelf.  

A lamplighter was a person employed to light and maintain candle or, later, gas street lights.  Lights were lit each evening, generally by means of a wick on a long pole.  At dawn, they would return to put them out using a small hook on the same pole.  Early street lights were generally candles, oil, and similar consumable liquid or solid lighting sources with wicks.

 

Reference (similar item):  https://www.pinterest.com/pin/575405289867084191/ and   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lamplighter

Catalog Items:

Item T97

Location:	Panel 7 & Left Top Shelf
Length:	77 cm
Width:	2 cm
Weight:	214 g