Objects Database

Valor Packaway Paraffin Stove

Accession Number

1155.2014.1

Object Name

Valor Packaway Paraffin Stove

Created

05/08/2014

Creator

Hermione Cooper

Accession Date

05/08/2014

Brief Description

Valor packaway stove and parts in carrying tin

Materials

brass,tin

Dimensions

tin - 22.5(l) x16.5(w) x 13(h) cms, stove base -17(diameter)cms

Number Of Objects

12

Inscription Description

On top of stove "VALOR PRESSURE STOVE BRITISH MADE" On the side a label with "USE ONLY ESSO BLUE PARAFFIN" On bottom of stove "THE VALOR CO LTD BRITISH MADE 5K"
On tin lid "THE COOKER FOR MOTORING TOURING CAMPING PICNICING PACKAWAY STOVE" and a shield with VALOR on it.

Colour

stove - gold tin - blue,grey

Maker

Valor

Object Production Place

Britain

Provenance

The world's first paraffin stove appeared in 1892, brainchild of a Swede called Frans Wilhelm Lindquist. He patented it and called it Primus, which means first in Latin. For the next 50 years or so Primus reigned supreme in the UK, with a few pretenders - all looking remarkably similar to a Primus.
The Second World War saw a major change in production of paraffin stoves as the flow from Sweden came almost to an end owing to the vagaries of war. Several UK engineering companies started to manufacture their own versions and as the war came to an end they continued and often expanded production to cater for the ever expanding outdoor market.
Though they had been producing oil heaters since the early 1900's, Valor were pretty late to start catering for the outdoor market - almost too late- with this Packaway Stove appearing,we think, around 1960.[ there's a date code on the tank, but we are not sure how this translates to the year]
The Packaway seems to be aimed at the picnic brigade rather than the mountaineer/camper as it's rather large for a rucksack. These stoves had a very short life since paraffin was fast becoming history by the 1960's. Gas, petrol and white fuel would soon reign supreme.
We have a very fine example of a Packaway here which doesn't look like it's ever been used. An excellent addition to our ever growing collection of paraffin stoves.

Acquisition Method

Donated by Mick Tighe

Acquisition Date

05/08/2014

Condition Check Date

05/08/2014

Rules

Spectrum : UK Museum documentation standard, V.3.1 2007

Modified

05/08/2014

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