August’s What Is It is a one-of-a-kind corkscrew candlestick. It is 10” high with 3 fluted legs, attached with a fastener to a 4” round base, It holds a 1 diameter candle.
We had several correct guesses. Jerome McLaren of Conifer, Colorado tells us these were called Bible candleholders which sat on a table. As the candle burned down you could raise it by climbing the coil. Terry Cook of Fort Morgan, Colorado says, “I believe it is a metal time-keeping candle with a drip-catching base. It can measure time depending on the candle’s position in rings; also used for keeping track of courting time.” Cheryl Miller of Fort Collins feels this is a primitive candle holder (early American). Dottie Unruh of Lakewood, Colorado says, “It is a Courting Candle, used to determine the length of stay of a suiter who had to leave when the candle went out. If a suiter found favor with a girl or her parents, the candleholder could be adjusted up, so that the candle could burn for a long time. Conversely, if a short stay was desired, it would be adjusted so that very little of the candle showed and it would go out in a very short time. . . I always look forward to your great paper — thank you!” Nikki Schofield of Julesburg, Colorado agrees that the what is it is a courting candle. “When the courting candle “ran out” or finished burning it was time for the date to end and for the suitor to return home.” Joyce Fuller of Littleton, Colorado tells us, “This is a candleholder that has a little wood cog at the bottom. You turn it to make the candle come to the top as your burn it. I have had one on my table for 50 years. I love it.”
Thanks, everyone, for venturing guesses. You are all correct and you have won a year’s subscription to the Mountain States Collector. Congratulations!
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