Radioactive Lantern Mantles

That's fascinating I thought as I was slogging through the world wide web earlier today. I happened upon an article on The Straight Dope website that explained how lantern mantles used to contain the radioactive material thorium oxide. It's an incandescent material that greatly increases the light output of the lantern when it's heated in the flame. At least until the early 90s Coleman used thorium in their mantles until replacing it with non-radioactive yttrium.
Seems thorium's radioactivity is mostly emitted as alpha particles which we all know don't travel too far from home. But it does explain Uncle Willard's problem with his right testacle which shriveled up like a raisin back in the 70s. Seems back in Willard's woodsman days he used to carry spare mantles in the watch pocket of his Levis.
Also explains why Cousin Cole has six fingers on his left hand.
Man can he play the banjo.

eBay Hot Sale - Late December

Hottest eBay sale of a 200A in the second half of December was a very sweet like-new 1966 model in a like-new clamshell case. Closed at a healthy $338.00 on 12/17. Woo-Hoo for somebody.
There's nothing particularly scarce or more desirable about a '66, this sold high based mostly on the wonderful condition. Also credit the seller with the 19 different photos of the lantern from every angle.

Sunshine Logo

Mark's looking for a Sunshine Logo that he can use to mark lanterns that he has rebuilt and customized. That's excellent thinking on his part. There's no good reason to be deceiving future collectors as to the nature of their shiny new finds.

To grab this logo, just right click it with your mouse and select the "Save To" command.

And Mark, we really want to see some pics of those restored 200A's!