Florence Nightingale lamp set to spark worldwide interest at auction

A rare 150-year-old brass lamp that belonged to Florence Nightingale is expected to generate worldwide interest when it is auctioned in the summer.

The 10" tall lamp, which still has remnants of a very old candle in place, will go under the hammer in Miss Nightingale’s home county Derbyshire in June.

Miss Nightingale, who cared for soldiers during the Crimean war, made so many rounds carrying a lamp with her in the late hours of the night that she became known as the ‘Lady with the Lamp’.

Auctioneer Charles Hanson said: ‘The lamp is quite remarkable. If only it could talk, it could tell us so much about the passion Florence had for her work and the wellbeing of others.’

‘I really hope the lamp stays in Britain and is placed in a Florence Nightingale Museum perhaps in London, or even stays within Derbyshire,’ he added. ‘Such an iconic object and its association with such a leading lady will be guided at £1,000-2,000.’

‘With interest and competition it may just ignite, since it is such a wonderful object.’