The 2011 International Coleman Collectors Club Convention in
Tulsa was a great success! There were five seminars given throughout the four
days of the convention by respected and knowledgeable Coleman collectors. Much
valuable and interesting information was presented. They were videotaped and
are available on DVD for those who couldn’t attend.
The seminars covered the following topics:
- Sam Blank told us about his Mantle Company, his
factory in the Philippines and the mantle making process. He requested we
not video tape his presentation as there was proprietary information that
he didn't want public due to the Indians and Chinese trying to put him out
of business. There was an Aladdin Lamp representative in attendance who
stated that Sam's mantle product was the best Aladdin had seen in its
entire 103 years of existence, a pretty ringing endorsement. They make both
thorium and non-thorium mantles sold mostly in the Asian market.
- Terry Marsh gave a history of the Yale Manufacturing
Company and Robert Lucas. As you know, Yale was purchased by WC Coleman in 1914
and renamed Yale Light Co. Terry lit a Yale Manufacturing Co. reading lamp during
his presentation.
- Leonard Johnson Moderated a discussion on “Obscure
Topics of Little Interest to Most Collectors and the Collected Wisdom of the
Coleman Community Harnessed” Will you take the bait: “little interest to most Coleman collectors.” An excellent
discussion including so many topics. Dan Boschen and “Murff” Tim Murphy were on
the panel as well.
- Bud Michael, our new newsletter editor, gave a seminar
on “Hiram Strong, Engineer, Inventor and Coleman Icon – The Other Man Who Made Coleman”. Bud gave us his rendition of the
first conversation and job interview between WC and Hiram at the Hydro Carbon
Lite Co building in Wichita. It was just like being there! His co-host was
Hiram’s Granddaughter, Vera White. She told us about the wonderful grandfather
this man was and that she was privileged to attend this event honoring him.
- Dan Boschen gave a presentation on “Tools, Processes,
and the Tricks of the Trade”. You don’t want to miss this one! We all know Dan
as dbosch “The Coleman Silverback”.
I hope I haven’t told you too much, but only stimulated your
interest.
The International Coleman Collectors Club and the Coleman
Collectors Forum (provided by Old Coleman Parts) each have great resources for
the Coleman enthusiast and go hand in hand with each other in providing
valuable support for the Coleman collector community. We always welcome new
members and are eager to share our passion this hobby creates with others.
Brent Zier, your new President and myself, your new Secretary, are working hard
with the rest of the ICCC board to provide more value added to the ICCC
website, we hope you won’t be disappointed. Go to the ICCC website (www.internationalcolemancollectors.com
) to find out what our new webmaster, Ed Dennis, has been up to. Our website is
in the process of being improved with more information for members including
regional groups all over the US. We hope you will look around, download the
membership form, and join us!
For those of you interested, a DVD of the Seminars at the
2011 Coleman Convention in Tulsa and the 2009 Wichita and the 2008 Madison ICCC
Conventions are available for purchase for $10.00 plus $5.00 ($10.00 Canadian)
for one or multiple copies thru Mike Shockley: leamarkproductions@cox.net. Check
with Mike for international shipping rates.
Thanks and happy hunting,
Peter Ecklund