Whilst the theory was sound, many manufacturers elected to use white stove-enamelled steel-spun over-reflectors. Unless extremely highly polished, these reflectors exhibited little specular reflection as required by their design, and instead acted as diffusers. The result was a reutilisation of some of the flux emitted in the upper hemisphere by the lamp but not at the required high angles to achieve uniform illumination.

Therefore the lantern type was quickly discredited by many theorists and lighting designers but to little avail. Local authorities looking for a cheap lighting solution installed this lantern type in huge numbers, even after more scientifically proved lanterns with suitably placed reflectors and refractors began to appear. The symmetric distribution was also particularly suited for residential areas where a wide symmetric illumination was particularly preferred.

It was kept on manufacturer's catalogues up until the 1950s when finally the specifications caught up and required the lamps to be enclosed. But the lanterns themselves proved to be remarkably durable – despite the rust problems of the thin spun steel reflectors – and many were still in service during the 1980s and 1990s.

Name: BLEECO Open Type Conical Lantern 673
Date: Circa 1920s - 1950s
Dimensions: Width: 15½, Height: 7½
Light Distibution: Uniform Distribution
Lamp: 100-200W GLS

It was made in three sizes with the largest taking a 200W GLS lamp. Given its symmetrical light distribution, it was only really suitable for the lighting of side streets, residential roads or large areas.

The BLEECO Open Type Conical can also be readily identified by the use of three wing-nuts which hold the enamel conical reflector in place – other manufacturers used screws with large washers.

facing profile I purchased this bracket and lantern from Surrey Council in 1994. It originally stood on a cast-iron column at the intersection of Arundel Road and Manor Road, Cheam.

front profile Most of the installation around the residential roads of Cheam used ESLA Bi-Multi lanterns but a small number were fitted with BLEECO Open Type Conical lanterns. They may have been casual replacements, but as most could be found near junctions, then it's possible that the symmetric distribution of this lantern was preferred at junctions than the non-axial asymmetrical distribution of the 2-way ESLA Bi-Multis. (However, 3 and 4-way ESLA Bi-Multis were used for junction lighting in other parts of the installation so this theory may not be correct).

trailing profile The lantern (and bracket) was painted silver. This was the colour used by Surrey Council for its cast iron columns, brackets and lanterns. The bracket was the original large Lucy bracket used for this lantern. These were commonly used by Surrey for their residential streets.

canopy The canopy of the lantern was completely smooth with no identifying marks. The lantern was only identified by the use of copper wing-nuts to hold the canopy in place (confirming it as a BLEECO) and measuring its dimensions against those in the BLEECO catalogue (confirming it as a 673 and not the smaller 671 and 672).

pedestrian view There was no lamp adjusting mechanism inside the canopy and this early 100W GLS lamp appears to big for the lantern. It's possible that this lantern was designed for the smaller envelope GLS lamps which appeared in the 1950s.

vertical This view shows how simple the optical system of this lantern was. The flux was simply redistributed symmetrically around the lantern – there was little light control at all.

This shot shows the lantern and bracket during restoration. The bracket had been partially restored and painted and the lantern was half finished with a restored reflector.

Some other lanterns and brackets from the Cheam installation can be seen in the background.