The GEC Universal "Dioptrion" Lantern was one of the most iconic lanterns to ever be installed on the UK streets. Designed for the lighting of wide Arterial and Trunk Roads in the late 1940s, its design consisting of mostly two large glass refractors was probably dictated by the metal restrictions of post-war Britain.

After the first installation in Plymouth in 1947, the Dioptrion became an extremely popular lantern and was installed throughout the UK and the world. However, as a main-road lantern, and one which burned mercury, most installations were swept away in the 1970s and 1980s.

This Dioptrion was rescued from a car-park in North Way, Cirencester, Gloucestershire in 2010 by fellow collector Davy Warren. This was the last large installation of these lanterns known.

I was especially pleased as I remembered these lanterns from my youth. They used to light the main roads of Beckenham, Elmers End and West Wickham mounted on enormous Concrete Utilities lattice brackets. They were all removed in the 1980s and I regret never rescuing one. Luckily, thanks to Davy, I now have an example in the collection.