Philips MI26, column 43.

On the 21'st June 2018, less than 4 months after the first childhood MI26 was replaced, I had returned home from work to discover the final MI26 outside my house in the cul-de-sac had been replaced, again without a trace, again, removed with a perfectly working lamp. This spurred me into a frantic rescue plan to try and track down this elusive lantern for the collection. Speaking to someone I know, they managed to get me a visit to the companies yard who maintains our lighting, with the hopes of finding it. Armed with a photo, I then set to work rummaging for the lantern. At the time there were literally hundreds of these, all scrapped due to failed lamps, so my chances were slim, but I pressed on.

The first lantern I pulled out happened to be the lantern that I was after. After careful scrutinisation, I finally felt like a match was made, so off I came with my new lantern. I'm still in disbelief how close I came to losing what is to me, one of my most important lanterns.

I always found this one different to the other MI26's because of the clouding to the bowl. the reason soon became apparent, as the lantern dates to 1989, so almost 29 and a half years of faithful service.

back in 2012, the lantern had been part nighted, but at the time I was at home, so I managed to get the old tall cone P5 photocell from it. I figured it would be rude not to reunite them again after 6 years.

The lantern means so much to me, as it plays a major part in my love of street lighting, SOX especially. There was two immediately outside out house, just 4 months prior, the first one fell to the cull, luckily saved by my father. Looking out our front window will never be the same again however, I always watched these fire up and warm up. To see that cold hash light now is just awful.

Both lanterns now will not be restored, they will be left as is, as a homage to the memories attributed to them.