According to newspapers ads that I have found, this stove was made from about 1923 to 1925. It is bigger than an AGM model 3 (comparison shown). I don't know if there is any connection between Albert Lea Foundry and American Gas Machine, also of Albert Lea Minnesota, I haven't found any connection yet. The burner casting is similar to an AGM #3, but not identical. The burner caps are very different. The fuel tank is very similar, and it's possible that they may have purchased them from AGM. This stove shares many similarities with another A.L.F. Tourist stove I have that doesn't seem to have a model number.
@StanDahl So the lid serves as a drip tray when the stove is in use (Terry Marsh site entry for the very same stove I think) and there are no in-built windshields. Evidently they wised up subsequently.
I'm sure that somewhere I have seen that Albert Lea became AGM, but that is just my (faulty, old) memory at work
That is a very nice brochure! Now I wonder if there was a stove stand also? Keith - I think you may have seen where Jan stated that on the other ALF Tourist thread. I asked him about it earlier today, awaiting his response. I only find that ALF incorporated in 1921, nothing more...still searching.
In Neil McRae’s Pressure Lamp Catalogue he states that The American Gas Machine Company was founded in 1896 by HC Hanson. They ran into financial difficulties in the mid-1930s with a “disastrous” strike and filed for bankruptcy in 1938. AGM was bought by the owners of Prentiss Wabers in 1941. Neil does not mention The Albert Lea Foundry Company. For information (source, Neil McRae). Cheers Tony @mackburner
Okay, I've got some connections. The Albert Lea Foundry was either purchased by a former AGM manager named F.A. Trow in 1921 or he just went to work for the stove division of ALF as a manager, eventually becoming president - depending on the source. He grew the foundering foundry into a successful business which became Queen Stove Works with ALF becoming a division of Queen. QSW bought AGM in 1950. So, the Albert Lea Foundry was not connected with AGM in the 20's and these ALF stoves really don't belong in the AGM category here...but that's just me.
Faville A. Trow. He’s the inventor this 1924 patent is assigned to. Extract, first page. The drawings.
John, I see you are enjoying your retirement with a little research. Do you duck hunt and raise flowers too? I've always found your stove articles in the 'Coleman light" interesting. Retirement well spent. Have fun. Regards, Charlie Seelye
Thanks Charlie! I never let schoolwork interfere with stove research, but now I'm completely free to dive in. I'm thinking about maybe visiting the WSU library to see what they've got there from Coleman that hasn't surfaced anywhere else. There will be a VERY interesting stove article coming up in the January Light - no hints though.
@StanDahl stove stand and it would st you back $2.75 ( your stove lacks the windscreens shown in the ad )
Oh my...that is a terrific brochure. It's strange that this brand seems to be commonly advertised, I have about a dozen newspaper ads from about 1922 to 1926 or so (but only west of the Mississippi), but so few stoves have survived. Coming across a stand and oven would be quite a find. Even Coleman in Los Angeles was advertising these stoves before Coleman came out with their camp stove in 1923...but Coleman L.A. is something of a rogue outlet...there's a story there. Spokane WA April 21, 1922 It seems that the #33 was available with and without wind screens. Salt Lake City Utah, May 8, 1925 The #1 is both larger and more compact than the #33. That's quite an under appreciated feat of engineering.
@konabill I wonder if you’d oblige by posting your catalogue in the Stove Reference Library HERE, where it would be more easily accessed for research in future (admittedly, to Subscribers only) rather than merely in the context of this thread. Thanks. John
@presscall complete pamphlet added here https://classiccampstoves.com/threads/the-tourist-camp-stove.52619/
