1960s Parts List for 200A

Man, don't you hate it when you're tinkering on a 200A and you ask your wife to hand you a 6631 and she hands you a 6361. Sheesh, what's up with that?

Don't come crying to us. If I remember correctly, on your wedding day the suggestion was made to just go deer hunting instead.

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Like Moths To A Flame

In the back woods of Arkansas, Mr. Stewart's wife went into labor in the middle of the night, and the doctor was called out to assist in the delivery.
To keep the nervous father-to-be busy, the doctor handed him a 200A and said, "Here, you hold this high so I can see what I'm doing." Soon, a little baby boy was brought into the world.
"Whoa there buddy!" said the doctor. "Don't be in a rush to put that Coleman down... I think there's yet another one to come." Sure enough, within minutes he had delivered another little baby.
"No, no, don't be in a great hurry to be putting down that Little Red Lantern, young man... It seems there's yet another one besides!" cried the doctor.
The new father scratched his head in bewilderment, and asked the doctor. "Do you think maybe it's the light that's attractin' them?"

A Good Bath Never Hurt Anybody

When I get a new (to me) Little Red Lantern, it's usually one that's been sitting out on a garage shelf or hanging in some rafters. Minty-types in hardcases are nice, but not the rule.
First thing I do with my new gem is pour the contents of the fuel tank into my enamel wash basin. I then use that to give the lamp a nice bath. Wash the cobwebs off, remove some grime and soot, and generally make it look presentable. The object is not to make it look brand new...you just want it clean enough that polite people don't cringe if you hand it to them.
Of course there are some safety precautions to follow...you should probably wear gloves (I usually don't)...you should wear safety goggles (I usually don't)...and you should not smoke cigars during the process (I usually don't).
And seriously, hang the rag and let the gas evaporate from it and the basin. Don't just pour it out on the ground. Damn hillbilly.

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Gee Dad, I Slept Great

I think this ad from 1970 illustrates the truly amazing power of the 200A lantern.

It's plain in this ad that if you're out camping and you keep a 200A blazing a foot away from your face all night, then you can sleep like a baby on a field of glacial drift.

Kids were tougher in 1970.

A Site Well Worth Visiting

Terrence Marsh has built quite a wonderful website...Gas Pressure Lanterns, Lamps, Stoves and Irons. Over 1,000 images of antique lanterns and such...including about 100 old Colemans. Be sure and bookmark it as you'll want to revisit often to help ID your old lanterns.

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How Does It Go In?

As Big Red demonstrates in this 1960s company literature, the proper way to place a 200A in it's cardboard box is top-first...upside-down. Preferably on a cushion of foam rubber or crumpled newspaper.
This will take some of the strain off the mantle and extend its life.
And of course, when it gets to Japan it will be right-side-up.

The Coleman 200A

The Coleman Company has been making lanterns for a 100 years, but my favorite, the 200A, wasn't produced until 1952. It stayed in production until 1983. The basic design remained the same through the years...a red tank with a red ventilator, pyrex globe on an aluminum base.
Here's my 1953 model (4/1953). It's minus the globe and bail but still pretty decent shape. Notice in early '53 the globe base was black metal.

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Little Red #1

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