www.flowoflava.com Presents Vintage UK Sata-Lite & Sparkle-Lite (Often referenced as Hunter) Lamps

Sata-Lite and Sparkle-Lite lamps were competitor lava and glitter lamps that were produced in the 1970s in the UK. The company was run by John Edward Hunter in the United Kingdom and was in direct competition with Edward Craven Walker's Crestworth company of Poole. These lamps are also known as Hunter lamps.

Normally, found open at the base like earlier Crestworth lamps, these lamps were very simply made. The lamps were awarded a patent after numerous Crestworth patents, however they never returned to mass manufacture the lamps and vanished after the 1970s.

They were extensively seen on TV and in particular, the George and Mildred TV Series. Mildred explains to George how the lamp works and there is a great scene where George has stolen power from the neighbour next door via an extension cable. When the neighbour starts pulling the cable, the lamp keeps moving mysteriously.

Remarkably, there is a surprising amount of interest in these models within the collecting community, they are often confused as Crestworth items, thus they have been indexed and documented.

With thanks to Eliot Lees for kindly photographing a selection of Sata-Lite and Sparkle-Lite designs for www.flowoflava.com. Also with thanks to Jerome Dopson and Richard Groves for the contributing images and information.

www.flowoflava.com Presents An Assortment of Known Base and Cap Sata-Lite and Sparkle-Lite styles.

Design 1: Double Flared Base - The Most traditional Sata-Lite & Sparkle-Lite designs, seen in different anodic finishes.

Design 2: Ridge-Flare Base - Perhaps the most popular of John Edward Hunter's designs and is the most popular Sata-Lite and Sparkle-Lite design. Seen with different cap design too (Design 5)

Design 3: Double Cone Base - A base design that features a double cone shaped base, similar to Crestworth's Astro Mini's base design.

Design 4: Hybrid Flared Base - A base design that features the top part of Design 1's base with the second lower part of Design 3's base to create a hybrid flared base.

Design 5: Ridge-Flare Base with Flat Top - Identical to Design 2, however with a flat top cap.

Sata-Lite & Sparkle-Lite lamps used one kind of bottle shape. Inside the bottle, the wax within the lamp is notably very soft and runny when cold, in fact the wax tends to give the appearance it is extremely liquidy in comparison to the later solid formula Crestworth Astro. These lamps, when seen clear often display poor flow unlike superior Crestworth products. They lack the trademark Crestworth serpentine flow completely and are more blobby in their operation.

The Sparkle-Lites often are solvent based and contain tinsel shaped glitter longer stands floating and shimmering in solvent glitter. This produces a very beautiful effect and is very mesmerising.

The metal bases are spun, just like the caps, they are also manufactured very simply. The inside contains a bulb holder and a low cost and metal ring that simply holds the fitting and bulb in place. Sometimes these lamps are seen with some sort of black plastic edging on the base, however they mostly are seen open, the edges of the base can be rough and sometimes scratch the surface the lamp is placed on.

There are a small range of base and cap styles that were produced. However they all use the same style bottle. In an old catalogue magazine, one can see a Hunter lamp for sale at £6.50. This will give a general indication to the price of these items in the 1970s.

www.flowoflava.com Presents The Original Sata-Lite Instructions ...

A small paper slip that shipped with these lamps reads and gives these directions for use. Please see below.

"SATA-LITE" MADE IN ENGLAND - Protected by: Design No. 947061 Patent Pending.

Instructions:

Black plastic edging must be fitted to the base of the lamp before use .... It is advisable, on polished surfaces, to place a table mat under the lamp. The "Sata-Lite" will take up to two hours to operate continuously during the winter months, depending on room temperature, and up to one hour during the summer. Do not use the "Sata-Lite" for more than six hours daily, especially during the summer months. Prolonged use of the lamp can cause overheating which in turn can cause the liquid to cloud. At no time should the lamp be shaken or turned upside down especially when in use. All this will cause clouding. Always turn the lamp off and allow time for it to cool down before handling.

Warning:

Only a 40 watt bulb should be used. Never use the lamp if the container is found to be cracked. Replacement Bottles: Complete replacement bottles are available at £3.13 each inclusive of postage. When ordering please state colour combination required.

Top Liquid: Red, Blue. Green, Yellow. Oil Colours: Red, Orange, Yellow, Purple

Wiring: Earth - Yellow & Green | Negative - Blue | Positive - Brown

www.flowoflava.com Presents Examples of Vintage Sata-Lite Lamps ...

Below one can see a selection of images which display a selection of Vintage Sata-Lite lamps which have been lovingly restored and photographed by collector Eliot Lees for us www.flowoflava.com. These designs were also sold as glitter lamps known as Sparkle-Lites. One can also see different base enclosures, where earlier versions were simply finished with a soft edge and later versions featured a simple cap to cover the wiring inside.

A small paper slip that shipped with these lamps reads and gives these directions for use. Please see below.

"SATA-LITE" MADE IN ENGLAND - Protected by: Design No. 947061 Patent Pending.

Instructions:

Black plastic edging must be fitted to the base of the lamp before use .... It is advisable, on polished surfaces, to place a table mat under the lamp. The "Sata-Lite" will take up to two hours to operate continuously during the winter months, depending on room temperature, and up to one hour during the summer. Do not use the "Sata-Lite" for more than six hours daily, especially during the summer months. Prolonged use of the lamp can cause overheating which in turn can cause the liquid to cloud. At no time should the lamp be shaken or turned upside down especially when in use. All this will cause clouding. Always turn the lamp off and allow time for it to cool down before handling.

Warning:

Only a 40 watt bulb should be used. Never use the lamp if the container is found to be cracked. Replacement Bottles: Complete replacement bottles are available at £3.13 each inclusive of postage. When ordering please state colour combination required.

Top Liquid: Red, Blue. Green, Yellow. Oil Colours: Red, Orange, Yellow, Purple

Wiring: Earth - Yellow & Green | Negative - Blue | Positive - Brown

www.flowoflava.com Presents Sata-Lite Featured in Till Death us do Part.

The images below show a Hunter lamp which was seen in the TV series Till Death us do Part, specifically in an episode called "Holiday in Bournemouth" which was shown on the 27th September 1972 (Season 4, Episode 3). The lamp can be seen next to the rotating postcard holder. It features the flatter style cap. Please see images below:

www.flowoflava.com Presents Sata-Lite & Sparkle-Lite Lamps in George & Mildred ...

The hit 70s TV show George & Mildred featured many "Hunter" lamps, both lava and glitter versions, and they can be seen in the Ropers' home, especially in the living room. Further to this there is a really funny scene where Mildred explains to George how the lamp operates. Also the Hunter lamp was also seen in the storyline when George steals power from his neighbour and his neighbour starts pulling the cable, which in turn makes the lamp mysteriously move. George and Mildred is an extremely great TV series, that can be watched and re-watched.

Below are still images from various episodes from George and Mildred, some simply feature the Hunter lamps in the background or close up or some feature the lamp as part of the storyline. Either way, George and Mildred is an extremely funny TV series from the 1970s and their home had several Hunter lamps dotted around the place. Please see the images below.