flowoflava.com: The History of the Astro Lamp.
::: Lava Mysteries. :::
Ocassionally a product will appear that we believe was produced by Crestworth or Mathmos, but is not listed in catalogues, is one of a kind and is very rarely seen, in fact it is usually the case it is the only one around.These lamps could be prototypes, or just fun that factory staff had when they had a neat idea, however what ever they are they are mysteries. If you fancy a challenge and would like helping us to solve a mystery please email us at:astrohistory@googlemail.com A job for Captain Caveman and the Teenangels.
Steve Mott recently sent in some photos of two items seen above, and was kind enought to let us post them on the site.
On the left one can see an early Astro mini, purchased at a carboot sale for £2. This Mini is complete with the first Crestworth style switches,red/black/green flex, and an open base. The unsusual feature is obvious, the top attachment with the 3 extra bulbs!. It is obviously incomplete, missing some kind of shade. Mike took this back to Mathmos, shortly after buying it, as he lives locally to Poole, they were intrigued, they decided it was either an early prototype, or had been made on the "night shift", by one of the staff for their own use. The top part was obviously made by a skilled metal spinner in the factory, it's made in two halves which are an accurate friction fit. They recognised, from the fact that the switches, bulb holder, and wiring were the same, that it had been made in the Crestworth factory.He also believes it could have been a shop display with the company name on the shade. I believe something must have gone onto the top as the lamps were not designed to show just like that, maybe an attachment of some kind.
They did say that in the early days of Crestworth, everything was very free and easy, lots of odd prototypes were made to try out designs and for exhibitions, etc, and staff were allowed to keep them when finished with. The bottle, obviously has seen better days, but has the serial no 29-208 hand written in chinagraph pencil on the inside of the cap. Mathmos did not, unfortunately, have any records of serial numbers this far back. The four bulbs are identical, appear very old, of "Bell" brand, suggesting that the lamp has had vey little use and lending support to the prototype theory. The glitter piece on the elft uses a Crestworth glitter bottle, yet it is undocumented in magazines or brochures and may have probably been made for the German market.
If anyone has any info on these items or any more Crestworth odd products, please drop us a message at: astrohistory@googlemail.com. Thanks.
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Special Gallery: Crestworth Galaxy Photo Montage.
Special Gallery: Crestworth Phantom Lite.
Special Gallery: Mathmos Initial Modern Range.
Special Gallery: The Fabulously Beautiful Mathmos Lunar.
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