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How to Collect Coleman Lanterns

Coleman outdoor products encompass just about all items that outdoor enthusiasts might need while in the wilderness. Their product line ranges from compact camp stoves to multi-family tents, and includes lanterns, which were the first items that Coleman ever sold (beginning in 1901), according to Coleman.com. Coleman lanterns offered an alternative to the smoky kerosene lanterns used at the beginning of the 20th century, and have continued to evolve. Vintage Coleman lanterns are popular items for outdoor memorabilia collectors, and many antique dealers and collectors.

Instructions

- 1
  Obtain a Coleman lantern collectors guide for identifying specific types of Coleman lanterns. The guidebooks give detailed information about Coleman lanterns, their parts, and the care and restoration of old lanterns. These guides are typically written by Coleman archivists and may only cover a specific era, such as the guide for 1903 to 1954 by Herb Ebendorf. Some guide books can be obtained at sporting goods stores, certain antique stores, or online at E-bay.com.
- 2
  Join a Coleman Collectors chapter or club in your area. These clubs generally hold annual conferences and meetings about Coleman products and collecting. The club is a place where like-minded collectors can share valuable information about the whereabouts of vintage Coleman lanterns and other products.
- 3
  Locate Coleman lanterns by browsing antique shops, army surplus stores, and local outfitters or sporting goods stores. All of these locations may have vintage or current models of Coleman lanterns for your collection.
- 4
  Search online auctions such as E-bay.com, Wensy.com or ReloadersAuction.com for vintage, antique or contemporary Coleman lanterns. These sites may have guide books available as well.

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