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Friday, November 16, 2012

Maritime Lantern- Manufactured by Barbier, Benard and Turenne, Makers of Lighthouse Fresnel Lens

Post or Anchor lantern made by Barbier, Benard & Turenne, Paris France.
A recent discovery by our firm, this exceptional post or anchor lantern was produced by the French manufacturer Barbier, Benard & Turenne, Paris France. What makes this lantern so exceptional is that Barbier, Benars & Turenne, also known as BBT was a major manufacturer of the Fresnel lens that light up numerous of the lighthouses found along our countries coastlines. Notice the lighthouse styling of this exceptional maritime light- reminiscent of the

LANTERN DESCRIPTION
Manufacturers nameplate for
Barbier, Benard & Turenne. 
This fine brass lantern stands 14 1/2 inches tall and features a thick, 360 degree glass Fresnel type lens that survives without cracks or chips, protected by 6 heavy gauge cast brass guards. The upper body of the lantern is designed with a ball style chimney with a series of cylindrical vents on the bottom edge. The lower body measures 4 1/4 inches tall from the bottom to the upper lip and would house the lantern burner. The manufacturers plate is positioned on the front side and states in embossed letters "ANCIENS ETACLISSEMENTS, BARBIER, BENARD & TURENNI- USINES (82, AUC CURIAL, PARIS-19; BLANC-MISSERON) (NORD)


Translated- OLD INSTITUTIONS, BARBIER, BENARD & TURENNI FACTORY (82, AUC CURIAL, PARIS-19; Blanc-Misseron) (NORTH) which is the manufacturers name and Paris address of production. The number 82116 is also engraved below and a series of cylindrical air vents in between.  The diameter of the lamp measures 5 1/2 inches. For more information on this lantern, follow the link here to the listing on Skipjack Nautical Wares & Marine Gallery.

Post or Anchor lantern made by Barbier, Benard & Turenne, Paris France,
 Skipjack Nautical Wares & Marine Gallery

MANUFACTURER HISTORY
The Company Barbier, Benard and Turenne, abbreviated BBT is a company founded in 1862 , specialized in the manufacture of headlights, the optical devices and lighting systems. Leader in the field of global flagship in the late 19th century, the company has diversified in the twentieth century, but was dissolved in 1982.

Fresnel lens produced by Barbier, Benard & Turenne
for the Sabine Bank Lighthouse,  Sabine River, Texas.
The company was founded in 1862 by Frédéric Barbier and Stanislas Fenestre under the name "Barber and Fenestre." She then called "Barber and Co." in 1887 and "Barbier and Benard" from 1889, and is in the early twentieth century to its final name "Barbier, Benard and Turenne." It became a public limited company in 1919. Production "Barbier, Benard and Turenne" or "BBT" began to specialize in the production of optical systems for lights , according to the system of Fresnel lense. The company then expanded its production, from farther away in the equipment headlights. In addition to its lens, it extends its first production at various rotation mechanisms, including weight and rotating tank on mercury . Then, it produces more buoys, steel towers, mermaids mist.  BBT thus comes to be able to construct the lighthouses in their entirety, including the tower, optical instruments and all necessary equipment. It becomes "known throughout the world". It is a world leader in the construction of lighthouses in the late 19th century. In 1923, the company developed the "gas BBT" which bears his name. This gas provides improvements in compression quality gas lighting and security.


LOCATIONS
The workshops are primarily located in Paris, close to the Ourcq canal. BBT then retains its headquarters in Paris, factories being located in Nazelles (Indre-et-Loire) and White-Misseron (North).


Sabine River Lighthouse, Texas

Top section of the Sabine River lighthouse tower and lantern room 
The Sabine River Lighthouse is one that houses a Fresnel lens produced by Barbier, Benard & Turenne.  Follow the link here for more information about the  Sabine River Lighthouse.

6 comments:

  1. When we go to the Outer Banks of NC we always go and visit the lighthouses. This year I got to see the original "Lost" Fresnel lens at Cape Hatteras. Have you read that story before? Its pretty cool :) I would love it if you could check out my blog at http://summertimesweety.blogspot.com/ Sometimes I post pictures from our trips to the Outer Banks. Thanks!

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  2. Awesome pictures....Nice blog,keep sharing!

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  3. you have very nice articles here. thanks.

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