Another possibility could be that consumer tastes changed quickly and suddenly nothing with a Nouveau style would sell. Perhaps the model 8 was a fashion victim.

Or it could be that the model 7/8 lamp design was just too expensive to build and Aladdin decided they could not sell enough lamps at a higher price point and needed to retool for a cheaper to make lamp for either margin or price point reasons.

Whatever the reason Aladdin only got 37 months use out of the model 7 bowl tooling. As a comparison Aladdin got 106 months total use out of the model 3 table lamp bowl tooling, 109 months use out of the model 9 table lamp bowl tooling and 84 months use out of the model 12 bowl tooling.

If the model 7/8 lamp bowl tooling was of any quality they had to be the most expensive that Aladdin ever used. I suspect this qualified as a financial disaster for the Mantle Lamp Company. The reason for discontinuing the model 7/8 design is worth researching.

Variations:

Table - Finish: Satin brass
Font - (Wall mount & hanging,) - Finish: Satin brass
Transition (very early lamps) - None I have identified

Bug screen: Early style bug screen
wick cleaner: 3 prong style, Aladdin name is underlined writing
Shade ring: Under burner shade ring same as model 7. Satin brass finish with arms spaced for 8-3/4" dia glass shade
Shades: table - 401, hanging - 416
Chimney: Heelless globe type (rounded bulge near base), crest logo

The model 8 burner is basically the same as the model 7 burner with the introduction of a new wick riser and a mini wick holder. There were slight changes to the inner wick tube mounting for additional strength. Otherwise the burners were identical except for the number.

	The model 8 wick adjuster was developed because the model 7 two part wick carrier was a little clumsy for people to use. The wick adjuster was inserted from the bottom and mated to a pair of button snaps on the new mini wick carrier. This design was used as is through the first year of model 9 production until the reinforced wick was introduced with the model 10. At that time the wick carrier disappeared for good. This wick raiser was in production through the end of model 11.
	The model 8 generator has the same construction as the model 7.
Model 7/8 gallery on left, Model 9/10/11 gallery on right	The model 7 gallery design was carried over to the model 8 unchanged. At the end of model 8 production model 8 galleries in the factory were nickel plated and used up on early model 9 lamps. Do not assume all nickel plated galleries are the model 9 and later version.

One of the 2 brackets made for models 7 & 8. Brass plated case iron.

The model 8 is the first to use the #3 ceiling hanger.

This hanger is easy to recognize because it is brass plated and is the only version of the #3 hanger to use the same crossbar as the #2 hanger . 
All later versions of the #3 hanger used a stamped steel crossbar.

The Aladdin model 8 lamp had an entirely different bowl top than the model 7 as can be seen in this side by side picture.

Both lamps share the same foot and lower bowl tooling and have the same height at the chime. The model 7 on the right has a taller bowl top making the model 7 slightly taller than the model 8. This picture also shows the different oil filler mounting positions that is a quick diagnostic for telling the two lamps apart.

What most people do not notice is that the pattern on the new model 8 bowl top, while similar is different from the model 7 bowl top pattern.

The petal pattern around the burner has a double side edge on the model 7 (left) and a single edge on the model 8 (right). Also the outer rim pattern is different just above the chimes. The model 8 pattern (left) is smaller than the model 7 pattern (right) and has space between the parts of the pattern. The model 7 edge pattern has the balls right next to the rods with no spacing.

The model 8 top pattern is less busy and I suspect was less expensive to tool up than the model 7 bowl top.

Finish

There seems to be a common belief that the Aladdin model 7 and 8 lamps used a special finish that was different from other Aladdin lamps and very fragile. I've heard it from most collectors and dealers I have talked to since I first started collecting Aladdin lamps.  Of all the brass finish Aladdin lamps, people seem willing to pay a higher premium for an original factory finish on a 7 or 8 than for other early Aladdin brass lamps.  I'm told that this is because the finish is special.  It is time to bust this myth.  The finish is just plain clear lacquer applied over satin finish brass.  Plume & Atwood has been applying clear lacquer to brass finished lamps before Aladdin was founded and continued to do so.  To the best of my research all Aladdin brass finish lamps ever made were finished with a clear paint from model 1 up through model 23A.  The finish on the model 7 and 8 is no different from that of a model 5 or 6.  The only difference is that collectors are more careful with the finish on model 7 & 8 than the other models.

In the Aladdin sales lists the finish is listed as satin brass, same as the models 5 & 6 before them.  Below is a picture from a model 8 owners manual.  I typed the text below since readability isn't the best.

Pages 13 and 14 of the Aladdin model 8 instruction manual

From the manual page above:

"  Cleaning the lamp bowl
The Aladdin lamps are all lacquered and will retain their finish so long as the lacquer remains. To clean the Aladdin lamp use a soft cloth - do not use any alcohol or any lacquered or scouring material that will cut or dissolve the lacquer.  If the lamp becomes greasy use mild soap and water."

These are the same instructions you will find in the model 6, 5 and I presume earlier lamp manuals.  There is nothing special about the finish on the model 7 & 8 lamps.  The only thing special is the care taken by collectors and dealers to preserve it.  The old formula lacquers had a golden tone to it which deepens with age.  The lacquers used on Aladdin lamps for the last half century are clear with not colour tone to it.

If you would like to discuss any of the contents please feel free to . 

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