Dispelling the darkness: Types of candles and the appropriateness of each for the mid-19th

[Tyler Underwood]

Here is a link to a very interesting article about candles by Virginia Mescher

http://www.raggedsoldier.com/candle_article.pdf

[Pvt Schnapps]

Re: Dispelling the darkness: Types of candles and the appropriateness of each for the mid-19th

Here is a link to a very interesting article about candles by Virginia Mescher

http://www.raggedsoldier.com/candle_article.pdf

Wonderful article!

It also brings to mind Kilburn's "Notes" for the Subsistence Department. Here's what he says about candles for military use:



CANDLES.

Tallow candles are only fit for cold climates. In market, there is frequently a great difference between the star or adamantine candles. They should be clear in color, (not mottled from imperfect manufacture,) dry, hard, of crystalline texture and good-sized wick.

For Army use they should weigh 6 to 16 ounces, or 12 to 16 ounces. A short weight candle, 6 to 14 ounces, is frequently bought and issued, resulting in either a loss to the Government, or the soldier, or both. Should it not be possible to obtain the full weight candle, 6 to 16 ounces, the 40 pound box, (as marked,) of the short weight, 6 to 14 ounces, making really 35 pounds per box, may be received. By a short calculation it will be seen there is short in a 40 pound box of 14 ounce candles, just 80 ounces, equal to flve pounds. The best way is, however, never to receive candles of this kind, but require full weight candles. Should there be reason to suspect short weight, either from size or on account of the paper used in packing, all the candles in the box should be taken out and carefully weighed, and box re-marked. There is often great difference in the weight as marked on the boxes, and the actual weight of the candles, and this difference, as before intimated, is usually five pounds per box. Some candles, however, run as low as 6 to 13 ounces, and even sometimes as low as 6 to 12 ounces. Generally, candles of this kind are branded with fictitious names.

Tallow is frequently mixed with sperm and star candles, which can be detected by the smell and by breaking off a small portion and crushing it with the thumb and fore-finger. If a greasy feeling is left, you can rely on the candles not being pure. Real sperm is nearly dry. Care should be extended to the size and kind of wick, a large wick exhausting the candles more rapidly, giving, however, a better light. The wick should be of sufficient size to absorb and carry up the melted material, preventing cupping and consequent slopping, and not twisted too hard. If a small proportion of an order, for army use, should be composed of candles in cartoon boxes, for sale to officers, considerable convenience would result to those interested. For posts in tropical climates, the hardest kind of adamantine candles should be selected.

https://books.google.com/books?id=c5syAQAAMAAJ&dq=intitle%3Astores%20inauthor%3Akilburn&pg=PA34#v=onepage&q&f=false