Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library

Commemorative Kerosene Lamp
ca. 1898
Jacob Stahl Jr. & Co.
USA: New York, New York
Copper, brass, cloth
overall: 7 x 8 x 4 1/2 in.; 17.78 x 20.32 x 11.43 cm
Gift of Robert W. Heald, 33°, MSA
97.021.1

Commemorative Spanish American War kerosene lamp; cylindrical copper reservoir is in the shape of a cannon shell with a brass ogival-shaped nose (projectile); reservoir is horizontally mounted on a pair of miniature, crossed, cast iron cannon barrels; base of the shell is stamped "Jacob Stahl Jr. & Co./ N.Y./ Makers"; obverse side is stamped in relief with the figure of an American Naval officer in uniform ca. 1898, American flags, eagles, and the inscription "Bill Anthony/ Cigar"; reverse side is similarly stamped with an American flag crossed with a four-star Admiral's pennant, the staffs joined by a wreath enclosing a naval anchor, and the inscription "Remember/ The Maine"; top of reservoir is mounted with two brass open spouts centering a brass wick burner, the wheel of which is stamped "Made in U.S.A."; bottom of the reservoir is stamped "Pat.Apld.For".

In 1898 the U.S.S. Maine docked in Havana, Cuba, to look after American interests during riots. An explosion destroyed the battleship, killing over 250 crew members. Exaggerated and ill-informed claims in the press blamed Spain for the explosion. Soon Americans began declaring “Remember the Maine, to hell with Spain!” to encourage the United States to enter into what we now know as the Spanish-American War. This lighter both memorialized the U.S.S. Maine and advertised cigars.