West Sea Co. LIGHTING & LAMPS Catalog Page 18

18.31 ANTIQUE BINNACLE SIDE LAMPS. Extremely rare, original American 1800’s matched pair of oil burning lanterns used to illuminate a ship’s navigational binnacle. The fact that a pair of such scarce lamps has been preserved together is extraordinary. These solid brass lamps are of the finest hand-made construction using heavy wall materials. Each has a glazed hinged door with sliding pin closure. The flared “hat” would have seated in the binnacle hood with the perforated conical chimney exposed. A substantial pivoting bail handle is present on each bearing the original insulating turned wooden handles. One of the two of these lamps even retains its original font and burner. The burner wick advance knob is embossed “E. Miller Co. Made In U.S.A.” Both lamps are in an amazing state of original preservation with absolutely no flaws whatsoever. And both have acquired a rich statuary bronze age patina. They measure 6 ½ inches wide at the widest and 9 ¼ inches tall exclusive of the handles. The minimum diameter of the binnacle hood receptacle into which they would fit is 4 7/8 inches. In sum they weigh a hefty 8 pounds! The condition of these lamps is really extraordinary given their age and the service they were designed to provide, with only a couple of expected heat cracks in the chimneys from actual use. A giveaway price. 399/ea

18.80 PRISTINE ANCHOR LAMP. Magnificent early 1900’s English ship’s anchor lantern manufactured by “DAVEY & Co London Ltd., West India Dock Road LONDON” as embossed on the oval brass maker’s label. It is further marked “ANCHOR” on a furled brass “banner.” This finest quality marine lantern is hand-made of rolled copper with solid brass fittings. The top and bottom are connected by 4 brass supports which also act as a protective grill for the precious lighthouse-like Freznel lens of clear crystal. The lamp has extra thick brass bail handles top and bottom for hoisting on a halyard and 2 sets of eyelets for hard mounting to the vessel. The double insulated chimney has a hinged top to inspect the flame. Around the body of the lamp is a perforated brass “girdle” which provides aspiration. There are also a number of air inlet holes in the bottom of the lamp. For servicing, the upper half of the lamp hinges open revealing the font and burner within. A hinged brass hasp with an “S” hook on retaining chain assures positive closure. The double burner with built-in snuffer is marked “DUPLEX” Made In England.” The original oval-shaped heat resistant glass chimney is marked “FIRE PROOF” with an anchor. The whole assembly has handles for easy removal. The lamp itself measures 18 ¼ inches high by 10 ¾ inches wide at the widest, and 25 inches high overall, inclusive of the bails. This is without question the finest quality lamp in such remarkable condition that we have ever offered! 1195

A circa 1912 catalog in our possession for Davey & Co. London, Ltd. has a page reading, “Revised Price List. Cone-Chimney Anchor Lamps. WITH OPEN TOPS—WINDPROOF.” Pictured is this exact lamp described as “No. 105 BEST PATENT, DIOPTRIC. “ with a price in Copper of £47,” an incrdible amount at the time!

18.77 HUGE EARLY AMERICAN SHIP’s LANTERN. Extremely rare, 3rd quarter of the 19th century sailing ship’s running lamp “Manufactured by Russell & Watson, Buffalo, New York” as hand engraved on the front. This massive ship’s lamp is constructed entirely of heavily reinforced brass bearing its thick, patented ribbed glass lens. The edge of the lens is embossed “PATd. DECr. 27. 1870.” The interior is complete with a period oil font, burner and chimney backed by a parabolic reflector. The lamp stands 27 inches tall by 14 inches wide and weighs a hefty 25 pounds. Condition is as found. There is a large crack in the original glass lens. There are also dents, dings and cracks in the brass here and there. But overall the lamp is sound and makes for a most impressive display. One of the earliest and largest marine lanterns we have ever encountered. Offered here at a very reasonable price.

18.70 OIL LAMP CLOCK. Rare late 18th or very early 19th century German-made whale oil lamp with the secondary function of being a night clock. This all pewter table lamp has a wide base with upturned lip supporting a turned column. The column is threaded into the base and the two can be separated. At the top of the column a Betty-style lamp with folding lid and metal wick holder is mounted to a glass reservoir. The hand-blown glass vial is encased in a pewter mount which threads into the Betty lamp so it can be removed and filled with oil. The side is equipped with a finger hold much like traditional candle holders of similar vintage. Opposite the finger hold a pewter strap is embossed with Roman numerals beginning with “VII” at the top, indicating 7 o’clock at night. The markings run down past “XII,” continuing “I” through “VII” indicating 7 o’clock the next morning. In this way the time of evening was cleverly indicated by the diminishing oil level while the lamp served as a night light. The lamp stands 13 ½ inches tall and is 5 ½ inches in diameter on its base. Excellent original condition with no damage. Surfaces are oxidized and dirty and could stand a light cleaning. Attached to the lamp is an old cloth and paper label reading, “GERMAN FIRE CLOCK. Circa 1800. Tells time by amount of oil burned in column. But however time is measured.”

Ex. Collection of a well-known museum, the identity of which will be provided to the buyer.

BASE

BOTTOM

BETTY LAMP
OPEN

TIME

JOINT

LABEL

18.64 GIMBAL LAMP. Genuine 19th century American ship’s gimbaled lamp by “E. MILLER CO. Made In U.S.A.” as impressed on the knurled wick advance knob. This classic ship’s cabin lantern is of rolled brass containing two lead counterweights, one in the base and one in the bracket. The “U” shaped bracket supports the gimbal ring which allows the lamp body swing freely in any direction. The weighted bracket allows the lamp to be used on a table or to be hard-mounted to the bulkhead by means of two eyelets. This lamp retains its original No. 1 Marine pop-up type burner which has a small screw to secure the lip of the fluted glass chimney and is hinged allowing easy access to the wick for servicing. 8 ¼ inches tall exclusive of chimney and 5 ½ inches maximum width. 12 inches tall overall. Good condition showing expected use with no abuse. Very nice deep age patina to all surfaces. 199

Edward Miller started his business in Meriden, Connecticut in 1844 when he joined Horatio Howard in opening a small shop making screws, candle holders and whale oil lamps. The following year Miller bought out Howard's share of the business and struggled to make it a success. In 1857 a fire destroyed the shop. However Miller quickly rebuilt, this time incorporating steam power into his production. That fact, spurred by increased demand generated from the Civil War, caused Miller's lamp business to grow rapidly during the 1860's.

After oil was discovered in Pennsylvania in 1859, kerosene proved to be a safe and affordable lamp fuel. Miller envisioned a demand for lamps using the new fuel and quickly began manufacturing kerosene burners. In 1866, he formed E. Miller & Co. Two years later Miller constructed a brass rolling mill to keep up with his company's demand for brass. The manufacturing capacity of his firm immediately increased.

DETAIL

BURNER

MAKER

18.61 FIGURAL TABLE LAMPS. Matched pair of 19th century American portable table lamps. These all brass oil lamps have a circular base supporting a bulbous brass column on which is mounted the oil font with burner and chimney holder. The circular wick advance knobs are signed “STERN BRO’S N.Y.” and “THE P.&A. MFG Co VICTOR” respectively. What makes these lamps really outstanding are their figural brass dolphin handles. They stand 9 inches tall and 5 ½ inches in diameter at the base, 6 inches wide overall. Excellent original condition showing expected signs of use and a nice statuary bronze age patina. Circa 1875. 895/pr

Stern Brothers was founded in 1867 by Issac, Louis and Benjamin Stern, sons of German immigrants. In 1867 they began selling dry goods in Buffalo, New York. The following year they moved to New York City and opened a store at 367 Sixth Avenue. In 1877 the business moved to 110 West 23rd Street. Outgrowing that facility, the Sterns erected a new building on the same site in 1878. The elegant store was noted for its fashionable clothes and other high end goods. Ladies from all over the country came to Stern Brothers for their Paris fashions. The enterprise was distinguished by its elegant door men in top hats and impeccable service.

“P & A,” Plume & Atwood, was organized in January 1869 as HBA (Holmes, Booth and Atwood) with the name changing to the Plume and Atwood Manufacturing Company in 1871. The company was incorporated in 1880. Plume & Atwood produced a full line of kerosene lamps and associated oil burning equipment. Between 1871 and 1912 the company had 62 lighting patents thanks primarily to the company’s namesake, Lewis J. Atwood, who was a prolific inventor. While Plume & Atwood manufactured and marketed their own line of lamps, they also produced and supplied fittings to other lamp manufactures, in this case Stern Brothers of New York.

HANDLE

BOTTOM

BURNER DETAIL

MAKER

18.45 RARE SHIP’s ONION LAMP. Lovely, very early ship’s globe lantern or “onion lamp” from the days of sail. This lamp is almost certainly of American manufacture. It is of all copper construction 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 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. The font with burner, most likely whale oil, is no longer present. Lovely form, condition, and age patina with no corrosion. The biggest and best lamp of its type we have yet come across. A very rare example of a nicely preserved early marine lantern. Circa 1850. 595

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.

18.24 ANCHOR LAMP. The largest ship's lamp we have ever offered! This absolutely massive ship's anchor/N.U.C. lamp is fabricated entirely out of the finest quality yellow brass with a thick ground glass Freznel lens. The front of the lamp bears the maker's tag reading, "Nippon Sento Co., Ltd., Not Under Command Light (Oil Use) Class A1 No. 1. Manuf Date 3 / 1978" along with Japanese characters. It has 6 large cylindrical brass guards that support the lamp and protect the glass. It is equipped with an equally heavy folding bail handle at the top and a hinged chimney cover for viewing the flame within. The extremely large font is secured into the bottom of the lamp by means of three thumb screws. The state-of-the-art burner has a cylindrical wick and additional aspiration features to ensure a bright-burning flame. Complete with original large crystal chimney. This lamp stands 24 inches tall exclusive of the bail, measures over 12 inches in diameter and weighs in at 20 pounds. Magnificent original condition with a high polish. 995

18.35 MASTHEAD LAMPS. Large and very impressive matched set of early 1900's American ocean-going ship's running lamps made by the "Perkins Marine Lamp & Hdwe Co. Brooklyn, N.Y." as embossed on the oval brass maker's tags. This massive, finest quality set is all brass with each lamp weighing over 22 pounds! They both have thick, molded glass Freznel lenses marked "Perko Mould No. 36." Both lamps retain their original screw-in fonts (marked "PERKO"), complete with functional burners and chimneys. As configured onboard ship, the lamps would have hung on vertical support rods secured to the ship's mast or superstructure. To these ends there are four stout brass brackets, two on each side of the lamp, riveted to its side. To aid the ship's bos'n in their placement or removal, a folding bail handle is affixed to the top of each lamp. They are equipped with hinged lids at their tops as well. These magnificent lamps stand 20 inches tall (exclusive of their bail handles), 13 inches wide and 12 inches deep. They are in lovely cosmetic condition with a high polish. Minor flaws do exist in both lenses, consistent with normal shipboard use. Their overall condition is outstanding. This is without question, the nicest, most impressive matched pair of ship's lamps we have ever had the pleasure of offering!

Required for nighttime steaming under the International Rules of the Road for open ocean-going vessels, mastlamps were displayed in tandem in a line along the ship's heading. The forward lamp was placed at a distance ahead of and below the after lamp. Often times this was atop the pilothouse, with the after lamp placed on the mast. On two-masted vessels the first lamp was placed on the forward mast at a height about 15 feet lower than the lamp on the after mast. The effect allowed an observer on shore or another vessel to visually determine the ship's heading, knowing the lower of the two lights was in the lead.


TOP	OPEN	GLOBE	BACK