GEC ZD1172A MBF and SOX lanterns interior

These very unusual, but stylish lanterns were part of a very unorthodox range of lanterns produced by GEC in the 60's, and the lanterns themselves were made for more than a decade. They were designed by London and Upjohn and were shown displayed in the 'Posts and Posters' exhibition organised by the Council of Industrial Design, which was held in Battersea Park, London, in 1963 (comprising winners of the British Poster Design Awards alongside winning and commended entries in a CoID competition for the design of side street lighting fixtures).
These 2 lanterns were given to me by Jonny, and brought down to the lighting meet via Danny. I owe a huge thanks to them. The cones aren't original. I replaced both due to a small crack in the SOX lanterns cone, and a totally fake one on the MBF. Restoration included a painting of the internal crossbars and uprights for the lamp assembly, and a complete sand back and respray of the satin black, due to a bad repaint during service. The writing, once black on a white background, was reversed, so it was white writing on a black
background. This way, the already fully known history, stays with the lantern.
Here, the lanterns are opened, revealing their almost spotless interiors, as well as the reason why a 55w SOX lamp cant be installed. The large bolt holding everything together is in the way, so I set the lamp holder bridge as high as I could get it. The refractor ring is in mint condition, and on closer inspection, 72 is printed onto it, meaning the whole lantern dates to 1972.