Very desirable safety lamp from the London 2012 Summer Olympics, 10″ in height and 3.5″ in diameter, manufactured by the Protector Lamp and Lighting Co., of Eccles, Manchester, which has produced Olympic lanterns for the last 30 years. The safety lamp consists of a lower globe and brass frame, which features plates to front and back; the front features the London Games emblem with engraved text, “Olympic Torch Relay,” and the back bears the maker plate, which identifies the lamp as “Type 6, M & Q, Safety Lamps, Approval No. 8/28.” The globe and frame house the interior lamp chimney and burner, with base marked “T, 77/"; the frame exhibits scattered light scuffing and wear. The design is a modified miner’s lamp, which enables the flame to be safely transported by aircraft.
The Olympic flame was lit in Olympia on May 10, 2012, and embarked on an eight-day journey across Greece and Crete before flying over to London. Commencing in Land’s End in Cornwall on May 19, the UK portion of the relay was designed so that 95 percent of the population of the United Kingdom, the Isle of Man, Jersey, and Guernsey would be a maximum of one hour from the torch route. After seventy days and 15,775 total km, the massive relay touched down in London’s Olympic Stadium on July 27. London became the first city to host the modern Olympic Games three times—having previously hosted in 1908 and 1948. The spectacular event featured more than 10,000 athletes from 204 nations, with new world records set in archery, swimming, and weightlifting. The Summer Games were also remembered for the inventive opening ceremony overseen by Oscar-winning director Danny Boyle.
