18. Lighting & Lamps

18.35  AMERICAN ANCHOR LAMP.  Authentic early 1900’s small craft anchor lamp by the well known lamp and marine hardware maker, Perkins, Brooklyn, New York as impressed on the bottom of the font “PERKO.”  This diminutive all brass lantern is hand-made with its perfect heavy Freznel glass lens.  The upper and lower portions of the lamp are supported on 4 thick brass struts with also serve to protect the 360o lens.  The American style chimney has the characteristic “pine tree” vents and a folding bail handle for hanging.  The bottom has numerous round vent holes for aspiration and is equipped with 2 bale loops for attachment to halyards.  The font with burner secures into the bottom of the lamp with a bayonet twist.  9 inches tall exclusive of the loop and 4 ½ inches in diameter.  Excellent original condition exhibiting a deep age patina with slight verdigris from years of service in a marine environment. SOLD

Frederick Persky, a Russian immigrant, schooled in Germany as a machinist, came to the United States in 1890.  He soon found work at the Bliss Company in Brooklyn, New York.  In the very early 1900's he and a partner began their own business, F. Persky & Company, Lantern Manufacturer, out of his house.

In 1907, Frederick's son Louis joined him in the business, and together they enlarged the product line and their manufacturing facilities.  By 1912, under the name of Perkins Marine Lamp Corporation, they were manufacturing a wide range of lanterns and marine products.  The company name was changed to Perkins Marine Lamp and Hardware Corporation, better known as “PERKO,” in 1932 to reflect the growing line of products which it offered.   Five generations later, PERKO is still a privately owned, family owned corporation, now operating out of Miami, Florida since 1960.

18.34  WHALE OIL LAMP.  Authentic mid-19th century hand-held “night light” of all brass construction.  This diminutive lamp has a pivoting font with round burner and distinctive whale oil wick.  The burner is threaded into the font for a secure fit with two holes for aspiration.  The side is equipped with a hinged “snuffer” when the lamp is not in use.  The lamp has a form fitting handle for carrying with the opposite end configured for wall hanging.  The bottom of the lamp is a concave disc with the dual function of being a drip pan and a base for setting on a table or night stand.  Many reproductions of the lamp were made.  This example is guaranteed to be original.  The font and burner shows extensive use.  The base, while being cast brass, has indications of being shaped in a lathe.  The bottom of the font has a dimple -- evidence it was also in a lathe.  Reproductions never finished to this extent.  6 inches tall by 5 3/4 inches wide overall.  The base is 4 inches in diameter.  Excellent original condition evidencing long use, but no abuse.  Rare.  295

18.31  PORT & STARBOARD RUNNING LAMP.  Extra nice 19th century American combination port and starboard running lamp.  This handsome veteran of the sea is all brass with hand-finished details.  The red and green glass lenses are of the Freznel type and are in perfect condition.  This oil-fired lamp is well aspirated with a series of 12 air inlets on the rectangular back, 12 heart-shaped outlets in the chimney as well as a series of small openings in the very top.  It is equipped with its original font and burner.  The font screws into the bottom with a bayonet twist.  The burner is the classic wedge-type, embossed "SIMPLEX" and the wick advance knob is embossed "E. MILLER CO., Made In U.S.A."  The rear of the lamp has a shoe attached with 6 rivets for mounting to the ship.  The classic "mushroom" chimney had a folding suspension ring for hanging.  Of special note it the fact that this lamp still retains its original light curtain divider which slides into a track on the front of the lamp.  9 ¼ inches tall exclusive of the ring   11 inches with ring.  5 1/8 inches in diameter.  8 inches deep with curtain.  Remarkably well- preserved condition for a marine object of this type well over 100 years old.  The brass surfaces have acquired a very lovely statuary bronze age patina, yet still retain their luster.  Such lamps  simply don't come any nicer!  549

CAUTION

18.29  AMERICAN RUNNING LAMP.  Genuine early 1900's combination port and starboard running lamp for a small craft.  This little veteran of the sea is hand-made of all brass.  It features thick red and blue Freznel glass lenses each representing an arc of 12 points of the compass or 135 degrees each.  In addition this lamp has its original removable light curtain to further delineate the light's output.  The light source is a small oil font and burner which fits into the bottom with a spring-loaded press fit.  The burner is of the non-aspirated "wedge" type.  The wick advance knob is embossed "H. LOVELL & CO."  Of added value is the fact that the lamp body retains its original hinged bottom cover.  The back has 4 "pine tree" inlet vents at the bottom and the riveted mounting bracket embossed "PATENTED APRIL 1st 1913."  The bulbous chimney has numerous heart-shaped vents and a folding bail handle for carrying.  The lamp body is 9 1/4 inches tall by 5 inches wide.  It is 11  inches tall overall, inclusive of the handle.  It measures 7 ½ inches front to back with the light curtain.  Outstanding condition in every respect showing actual use but no abuse.  The lenses are perfect.  425

The Lovell Manufacturing Company was founded by F. H. Lovell in Arlington, New Jersey around the time of the Civil War.  It came to be known primarily as a maker of marine lamps.  The Lovell Company acquired the Dressel Railway Lamp Works in the 1920's while continuing to use the Dressel name in marketing.  Eventually the firm's name changed to the Lovell-Dressel Company.  In the late 1960's it was absorbed into the Adams & Westlake Company.

CAUTION

18.22   RUNNING LIGHTS.  Very nice matched pair of port and starboard running lights for a large pleasure craft.  These heavy, solid bronze lights date to pre-World War II.  The thick red and green Freznel glass lenses are embossed "PERKINS SIDE MOULD No. 3" and the lamp bodies are each marked "PERKO" in 2 places and are dated "1934.".  These patented lights have a sleek teardrop design which is very eye catching in an art deco style.  The colorful glass lenses contrast beautifully with the statuary bronze surfaces.  Complete with 12 volt wiring, socket and bulb.  Highly polished, preserved finish.  10 ¼ inches long by 5 inches high and 3 inches thick.  With a few very minor flaws in the glass, these lovely lights must be rated as being in excellentoriginal condition.  Cheap!  395/pair

Frederick Persky, a Russian immigrant, schooled in Germany as a machinist, came to the United States in 1890 and soon found work at the Bliss Company in Brooklyn, New York.  In the early 1900's he and a partner began their own business out of his house, called, F. Persky & Company, Lantern Manufacturer.
In 1907, Frederick's son Louis joined him in the business, and together they enlarged the product line and their manufacturing facilities. By 1912, then under the name of Perkins Marine Lamp Corporation, they were manufacturing a wide range of lanterns and marine products.  Five generations later, PERKO is still a privately owned, family operated corporation, operating out of Miami, Florida in 1960.

18.26  CHRIS CRAFT RUNNING LIGHTS.   A simply amazing matched pair of port and starboard running lights from a large, early pleasure craft.  These heavy lights are constructed of thick solid cast brass in a super high luster finish.  Each has a thick ribbed Freznel lens with the source of elimination being a 12 watt bulb.  Originally these light were nickel-plated.  The interiors still exhibit that fact.  The lovely form of these lights is classic Art Deco indicative of their 1930's construction.  12 inches long by 7 ¼ inches high and 4 inches thick.  Each light weighs an impressive 14 pounds!  Outstanding original condition.  Easily re-electrified for a spectacular look!  Best set of its type we have ever offered.  975

18.25  MASTHEAD LIGHT.  Miniature all brass American-made small craft running light.  This early 1900's ship's light has a Freznel lens with an arc of 225o embossed "PERKO 225" on one side.  Telling of its early manufacture, the glass has a purple tinge indicative of its manganese content as used in glass making at the turn-of-the-century.  The bottom of the light is open for inserting a bulb and the back has 2 holes on each side for mounting to the ship's superstructure.  5 inches tall by 4 ½ inches wide.  Excellent original condition in a high, lacquered polish.  The glass lens is perfect.  This would make a charming porch light or nautical theme interior light.  Try finding any contemporary 'cheap' light made in China for this price!  This  is antique solid brass antique with a sea history.  95

18.20  GIMBALLED LAMPS.  Matched pair of diminutive American swinging cabin lamps made by the prestigious makers "PERKO" of Brooklyn, New York as impressed on the mounting plates and again on the bottoms.  These solid brass lanterns are heavily weighted to remain vertical on a rolling ship in a seaway.  The suspending forked brackets pivot in their mounts or can be locked in place by a small set screw on the top.  Each is complete with its original "star type" pop up burner with wick advance knob marked "E. MILLER CO. Made In U.S.A."  Telling of its early origins PERKO began making their own burners in the mid-1900's.  These complex burners tilt back for cleaning and access to the wick without having to remove the chimney.  The original crystal glass chimneys are fluted and held in place with a small set screw on the front.  Each lamp is mounted to its custom-made hardwood back board with our unique hanging eye countersunk on the back for a flush fit to the bulkhead.  4 5/8 wide by 12 inches tall.  The lamps extend exactly 6 inches from the wall.  Outstanding original condition is all respects.  As clean and cute as the come.  Especially suited for a small yacht or room with limited space.  649/pr

CAUTION

18.45  RARE SHIP's ONION LAMP.   Lovely, Civil War era ship's globe lantern or "onion lamp" from the days of sail.  This American lamp is all copper with its original blown glass globe.  Entirely hand-made, it exhibits neat riveted and soldered joints, punched cruciform vents and a castellated top.  The top and bottom of the lamp are connected by 5 stout copper supports which double as guards encircled by an equally heavy equatorial ring.  The top of the lamp hinges open and there was a provision for a hasp.  The blade is present but the flap is not.   This lamp is complete with its brass font and burner which press in from the bottom and are held with a bayonet twist.  The very unusual burner is highly aspirated and the wick advance knob is impressed "HOLMES BOOTH & HAYDEN WATERBURY CONN."   This truly wonderful old lamp measures 15 inches tall (17 1/2 inches overall with the handle) and is 11 inches in diameter   The thick glass globe is wavy with bubbles and inclusions, typical of glass manufactured prior to the Civil War.  One heat crack in the glass does exist which, happily, does not even show from most perspectives.   Lovely form, condition, and age patina with no corrosion.   A very rare example of a nicely preserved early marine lantern, being the biggest and best lamp of its type we have ever offered.  Circa 1860. 795

The manufacturing company of Holmes, Booth & Haydens began in 1853 with the partnership of Hiram W. Hayden, Israel Holmes and John C. Booth in Waterbury, Connecticut. The firm was incorporated on February 2, 1853.  Bothers Henry H. and James A. Hayden were among the partners, hence the plural Haydens in the company name.  The company was engaged in casting, rolling and drawing brass and copper.  They were major players in the manufacture of lamps, burners and trimmings.
Israel Holmes began his metal working business in 1820, having formed many companies that manufactured sheet metal and wire.  Holmes left the firm in 1869 to form Holmes, Booth and Atwood, later named Plume & Atwood.  He died in 1874.

Hiram W. Hayden was a prolific inventor who had nearly 30 lamp and lighting patents.   His other patented inventions include a breech-loading rifle, a breech-loading cannon, a magazine rifle, patents & designs for buttons, medals, and a machine for making solid metal tubing,

Copper, an elemental metal prized for its heat conductivity, malleability and resistance to corrosion, was the premium material used by manufacturers of the earliest marine lighting.

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18.10 EXCEPTIONAL SALON LAMPS.    Rare matched pair of American ship’s cabin lamps in unusually decorative form.  These handsome lamps are all brass retaining their original gilded finish.  The counter weighted fonts hold star-type “pop-up” burners with wick advance knob embossed “E. MILLER CO., U.S.A.”  The complex burners allow the top to tilt back with its chimney for servicing the wick.  A small flower-shaped screw holds the fluted glass chimney securely in place.  The decoratively scalloped fonts are suspended within their ornate gimbal rings.  The gimbals pivot between two elaborate supports with floral trim, each embellished with mascaroon heads.  The bases of the lamps contain heavily weighted cast lead inserts which allow them to remain stable on a flat surface.  But they are also equipped with a hanging bracket in the base so that they can be mounted to the bulkhead perpendicularly.  8 inches tall exclusive of the chimneys.  11 inches tall overall.  The bases measure 4 ¾ inches in diameter and the lamps are 6 5/8 inches wide at the widest.  Overall condition is outstanding and original showing good age.  The action of the gimbal is amazing.  Given the slightest touch it rocks back and forth for minutes!  Most unusual to find a decorative yet functional ship’s lamp of this quality, much less a matched pair!  895