Light for a
Salesman
by Bob Brooke
 During
the late 19th century, in an age before electricity, it was
impractical for traveling salesmen, staying in rooming houses, to carry
a candle and stand with them so that they could see their way to the
bathroom down the hall in the middle of the night. The Laterna Unica or
Folding Pocket Candle Lamp made it possible for them to do that. It
consisted of folding mica panels which surrounded a small candle and
included a match holder, striker and carrying case. Salesmen could
easily stuff one of these into their valise. This particular one,
measuring 5 ˝ x 3 1/4 x 1 inches, priced at $195 by Tucker and
Booth Antiques and Collectibles, of Morgantown, PA, features gold
and leather trim. Other so-called "hand lamps," that resembled
prayer books when closed, provided light for reading during long
religious meetings.
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