“The best Alpine lantern is the square folding Italian lantern called the Excelsior Lux Those made of tin, though rather heavier, are better and give less trouble than the aluminium. The small three-cornered Swiss folding lanterns are not good. The insufficient air-space inside causes the candle to melt and waste rapidly, unless a very small candle is used, when the lantern becomes inefficient. The holes for the admission of air can be partly closed in a high wind ; if dry, by pieces of stamp-paper or insulating tape ; if wet, a handkerchief may be sacrificed to save the candle from wasting or blowing out. The hardest obtainable candles should be used. Ordinary wax candles last a very short time, and will give annoyance by dropping through the holder.”

This rare Alpine lantern was purchased by Mick Tighe from an antique shop in the Rhone valley, Switzerland.