34044. (large matted photograph) Albumen Photograph of a Patent Model of a Portable Light [house] Tower. 10 ¼” x 14”. c.1870-1880.

The image depicts a wagon-like wheeled base, with a tall pole rising from the front of the wagon, with rigging and a platform at the top. The setting is a grassy shoreline, rocks and ocean behind. A human figurine is placed on a rock at the left margin of the photo, presumably to give a sense of scale – judging by which the tower would have been about 60 feet high.

This is something of a rarity. While patents and models for lighthouse light sources (gas, oil, and electric) abound, not many inventors considered it worthwhile to invent a lighthouse that could be moved from place to place. Given the rocky and sandy terrain over which such a machine would have to be moved, it is unlikely the cart on which it is mounted would provide a sufficiently stable base, at least while traveling. Perhaps the tower was built in sections which were only to be assembled when the machine was on site. But who would need a portable lighthouse, anyway? As far as I’m aware, most rocks, sand banks and shoals are fairly permanent. I suspect this is a rare device and a rare photograph because the idea was a bad one. Albumen photograph, approximately 14 x 10 1/4 in. Handsomely matted in linen and board. A note identifies the photo as a “patent model for a portable or mobile light station designed to warn ships of shoals or hazards”. The note estimates the date of the model as ca. 1870 – 1880. $485.