The Gleason Bullseye Whale Oil Lamp is a great lighting device. The original was patented in the 1830s by Roswell Gleason, of Dorchester, Massachusetts, as a work light. These lamps are also referred to as lacemakers’ lamps.
The glass lenses magnify the light of the flame and the shade above the lens which is slightly canted, focuses the light for in close hand work, or reading. Gleason made a single lens lamp, as well as a double lens lamp so that two people could share the light source.
I won the Stevens Metal Award at the 2003 Annual Juried Exhibit of The League of New Hampshire Craftsmen with this reproduction. Original examples of this lamp are hard to find, especially with the lenses intact. All oil lamps come with instructions and a free bottle of lamp oil.
