For Immediate Release For More Information

Floyd & Bonnie Durk

11225 E. Robb Cook Rd.

Centralia, MO 65240

573-696-3619

Dlites208@aol.com

Antique Lamps To Light in Missouri

Coal-oil, or kerosene lighting, is often “mystic” to those who are too young to have experienced the warm glow that illuminated our homes in years past. Collectors restore and light the old lamps that were essential for our parents and grandparents. Many young people today are discovering the nostalgia and beauty that antique lighting add to their home décor—especially family heirloom lamps.

Collectors who prize old lamps will hold their 40^th annual Gathering (convention) August 1-4, 2012 at the University Plaza Hotel, Springfield, Missouri. The Gathering is sponsored by The National Association of Aladdin Lamp Collectors (www.aladdincollectors.org)/

Floyd & Bonnie Durk are the General Knights (hosts) who plan and organize events. Calling themselves Aladdin Knights, the group is America's largest club of antique lamp collectors. More than 500 are expected to attend.

Lamp and lighting collecting clubs in attendance will be: Aladdin Knights of the Mystic Light (www.aladdinknights.org), The Rushlight Club (www.rushlight.org), oldest lighting club in America, who will hold their summer quarterly meeting in Springfield, MO; The Night Light Club (www.nightlightclub.org), collectors of miniature lamps; The Historical Lighting Society of Canada (www.historical-lighting.on.ca); Historical Lighting Club of England; the Guild of Lamp Researchers (www.lampguild.org) and the Fairy Lamp Collectors (www.fairy-lamp.com).

Collectors and students of antique lighting attend to study and learn history of lighting ranging from rushlights and whale oil to discovery of new fuels and technology in lamp improvements. Aladdin Lighting Technologies, Inc., manufacturer of Aladdin lamps, will be present. Gathering events include an auction, educational seminars, memorabilia display room, raffle, banquet and the huge Show & Sale. The “Ladies of the Knights” donate their time and talents to make a beautiful, handmade quilt that a lucky member will win at the annual banquet.

The Antique Lamp Show & Sale opens to registered members at noon Friday and to the public on later Friday and on Saturday. Spectacular, rare, and beautiful are words that describe this unique and unusual show featuring antique lighting. World-class dealers will offer an immense variety of antique lighting and accessories. Lamps of all kinds including colored pattern oil lamps, Gone-With-The-Wind, art glass lamps, opalescent lamps, miniature lamps, student lamps, finger lamps, Victorian hanging fixtures, floor lamps, center-draft lamps, as well as the collectible early electric lamps, plus the world-famous Aladdin lamps including their Deco style figurines!

The public is invited to the 23rd International Lamp Show & Sale on Friday, August 3 from 3 to 7 PM and Saturday from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the University Plaza Hotel. There is a nominal admission fee. See the website: http://http://www.aladdincollectors.org/ for details.

For more information, contact Floyd and Bonnie Durk, 11225 E. Robb Cook Rd., Centralia, MO 65240. Email: Dlites208@aol.com

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