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Museum object · Tools and Equipment

Oil lantern used by oysterman Ira Wright

ca. 1957

Wetipquin, Wicomico County, Maryland, United States, North and Central America

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Source catalog description

This description refers to material held by Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Visual details below describe the original material.

This oil lantern has a gray metal top, sides and circular base. A glass shade is contained within a metal frame. The glass inscribed with text near top at the front that reads "H/ LOC-NOB/ REC'D IN U.S.A." On the reverse of glass, also inscribed near the top is the company and lantern style "DIETZ/ D-LITE/ N.Y. U.S.A." Base used for holding oil and stopped with a rubber stopper at front. A thin wire handle attached at metal sides. Small wires crisscross the glass. The company name "DIETZ" is inscribed on the lantern along the top of the base to the left of the stopper, although barely legible. To the right of the stopper, on the top of the base is inscribed the place of manufacture "NY USA", again barely legible. Also inscribed at the top of the base is the lantern type "No. 2 D-LITE.

Sources & collection details

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture — original record ↗

Source collection ↗

Catalog metadata · CC0 · Source checked 2026-10-13

Catalog reference: 2013.61.3

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