Vintage UK Sata-Lite aka Hunter Lamps | www.flowoflava.com

Hunter lamps were cheaply made competitor lava and glitter lamps that were produced in the 1970s in the UK. The company was run by John Edward Hunter and was in direct competition with Edward Craven Walker's Crestworth company of Poole.

Normally found open at the base, the Hunter lamps were very cheaply made. The lamps were awarded a patent after numerous Crestworth patents, however they never returned to mass manufacture the lamps and vanished after the 1970s. They were commonly seen in the George and Mildred TV Series. Mildred explains to George how the lamp works and there is a great scene where George has stolen power from the neighbour next door via an extension cable. When the neighbour starts pulling the cable, the lamp keeps moving mysteriously. Remarkably, there is a surprising amount of interest in these models within the collecting community, they are often confused as Crestworth items, thus they have been indexed and documented.

Original Sata-Lite Instructions

A small paper slip that shipped with these lamps reads and gives these directions for use. Please see below.

"SATA-LITE" MADE IN ENGLAND

Protected by: Design No. 947061
Patent Pending.

Instructions:

Black plastic edging must be fitted to the base of the lamp before use .... It is advisable, on polished surfaces, to place a table mat under the lamp.

The "Sata-Lite" will take up to two hours to operate continuously during the winter months, depending on room temperature, and up to one hour during the summer.

Do not use the "Sata-Lite" for more than six hours daily, especially during the summer months. Prolonged use of the lamp can cause overheating which in turn can cause the liquid to cloud.

At no time should the lamp be shaken or turned upside down especially when in use. All this will cause clouding. Always turn the lamp off and allow time for it to cool down before handling.

Warning:

Only a 40 watt bulb should be used. Never use the lamp if the container is found to be cracked.

Replacement Bottles:

Complete replacement bottles are available at £3.13 each inclusive of postage. When ordering please state colour combination required.

Top Liquid: Red, Blue. Green, Yellow.

Oil Colours: Red, Orange, Yellow, Purple

Wiring:

Earth - Yellow & Green | Negative - Blue | Positive - Brown

Assortment of Known Base and Cap Styles

Assortment of Known Base and Cap styles.

Hunter lamps used one kind of bottle shape. Inside the bottle, the wax within the lamp is notably very soft and runny when cold, in fact the wax tends to give the appearance it is extremely liquidy in comparision to the later solid formula Crestworth Astro. Hunter lamps, when seen clear often display poor flow unlike superior Crestworth products. They lack the trademark Crestworth serpentine flow and are more blobby in flow.

The Hunter glitter products often are solvent based and contain strip stand like glitter. The glitter lamps very rarely stand the test of the time as the glitter is often turned transparent from the solvent. One can see a strand glitter in the images further below.

The metal bases are spun, just like the caps, they are aslo manufactured to a low-price. The inside contains a bulb holder and a low cost and poorly finished metal ring that holds the fitting and bulb in place (Please see above). Sometimes "Hunter" lamps are seen with some sort black plastic part on the base, however they mostly are seen open, the edges of the base can be rough and sometimes scratch the surface the lamp is placed on.

There are a small range of base and cap styles that were produced. However they all use the same style bottle.

In an old catalogue magazine, one can see a Hunter lamp for sale at £6.50. This will give a general indication to the price of these items in the 1970s.

Thank you to Coolsox aka Richard for the images above, of his Hunter Collection. Please note that the lamps above have been refilled with Mathmos wax and masterfluid as the original contents didn't stand the test of time.

Glitter versions of "Hunter" lamps were also produced, featuring longer strand shapes of glitter that float in a solvent based fluid. This produces a very beautiful effect and is very mesmerising. Thank you kindly to Norman Jarvis Norwich for the images below.

A Pair of Sata-lite aka "Hunter" Lamps

The images below show a beautiful pair of Hunter Lamps. This particular copper finished design used the universal bottle that fitted all the designs. Further to this it can be identified by the two band rings on the base and the flare on the base, where the lamp meets the table. Sitting in the center of the two Hunter Lamps is a stunning apple ice bucket, to complete the look. Thank you to Jerome for the images of his pair of Hunters. This particular design also has been seen with the flat style cap on TV. Please see the TV sections for further pictures. Images are courtesy of Jerome Dopson.

Products Feautured in Till Death us do Part.

The images below show a Hunter lamp which was seen in the TV series Till Death us do Part, specifically in an episode called "Holiday in Bournemouth" which was shown on the 27th September 1972 (Season 4, Episode 3). The lamp can see seen next to the postcard holder. It features the flatter style cap. Please see images below:

Hunter Lamps in George & Mildred

The hit 70s TV show George & Mildred featured many "Hunter" lamps, both lava and glitter versions, and they can be seen in the Ropers' home, especially in the living room. Further to this there is a really funny scene where Mildred explains to George how the lamp operates. Also the Hunter lamp was also seen in the storyline when George steals power from his neighbour and his neighbour starts pulling the cable, which in turn makes the lamp mysteriously move. George and Mildred is an extremely great TV series, that can be watched and rewatched.

Below are still images from various episodes from George and Mildred, some simply feature the Hunter lamps in the background or close up or some feature the lamp as part of the storyline. Either way, George and Mildred is an extremely funny TV series from the 1970s and their home had several Hunter lamps dotted around the place. Please see the images below.