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From the start we were drawn to the simple elegance found in utilitarian objects. In addition there needs to be a unique and different feel to every object we pick. Thats what draws us to these gas age lamps. Not the ornate but the simple turn of the century examples found in stores, train stations and municipal buildings. We have rewired them to take standard light bulbs. These lamps have a quality and charm all their own. We have an amazing collection in stock. earlyelectrics.com
If you search the internet for this this Adams-Bagnall street lamp you will find out just how rare these are. They are on every lamp collectors wish list. It’s nice to hang a rare lamp but it still needs to look great as well. I think this was one of the most striking industrial lamps made. It is a street light… but it has a sence of style rarly found in municipal lighting. I’m amazed that it still has the original 12 inch diameter 120 year old glass globe… as well as the blue porcelain shade. Its easy to spot a very early glass globe. It has a unique color all its own. The use of manganese in the original manufacturing process, combined with over a 100 years of sun and carbon arc light are responsible for turning the glass from clear to this beautiful subtle purple/lavender. These 1800s lamps were in use before the light bulb was introduced. Everything has been rewired for home use and is now illuminated by a cluster of 5 antique style filiment candelabra bulbs. The lamp is signed and dated on a brass plaque… $3300
Some History….
The AB hanging copper arc lamp was designed and patented by Thomas E. Adams for the Adams-Bagnall Electric Co., Cleveland, OH. Mr. Adams was considered an expert in erecting and repairing General Electric light apparatus. during the 1880′s he patented numerous improvements on electric light and railway systems, including the wood segment commutator of the brush dynamo; the brush-adams arc lamp, the double pole trolley, etc. in 1895 he became associated with others (former workers of the brush/swan incandescent plant) in the organization of the Adams-Bagnall Electric Company.
If you’re already a knowledgeable lamp collector then you understand how difficult these are to find. Some consider the Faries Company Dental Lamp the “Holy Grail” of early industrial lighting. This design came in a number of sizes and we have most of them….
Top: This is one of the largest examples they made. It reaches out over 5.5 foot from the wall. It’s fitted an 8 inch mercury glass mirrored shade. The copper/black Jappaned finish is one of the best originals I’ve seen. Everything is rewired and ready to go… $2800 1stDibs
Center: This is the smallest example they made and we have a pair of them. It reaches out over 36 inches from the wall. It’s fitted with an 8 inch black mercury glass mirrored shade. The polished brass finish is perfect with it. These lamps came in a brass or Jappaned finish. As clean as the brass is… I think the finish may be original as well as retaining the perfect original wire and paddle switch. It may be that this lamp was in storage all these years and never used. That’s over 110 years… $2400 1stDibs
Bottom: This is the largest example they made and has the added swivel pipe attachment. It reaches out over 5.5 foot from the wall. You never see the original magnifier shade on these lamps. This example still has the shade and its signed… Sterling Dental, 1904. The copper/black Japanned finish is one of the best originals I’ve seen. The only thing we needed to do was put a fresh wire and plug on it… $3200 1stDibs
This lamp looks smaller in the picture than it really is. This is a large scale one-of-a-kind lamp that will define a room or the entrance to a home. The iron is black smith made and hand hammered. All the cages are hand crafted and also note the beautiful hinge detail. The copper work is very special. I did not find a signature on the piece but feel it’s important. It has a 14 inch diameter and stands an impressive 20 inches tall. All the original glass is there and we totally rewired everything. It has a maritime look to it but is definitely early Arts and Crafts. The patina is untouched… $3400
We found a collection of antique oval gas era parabolic reflectors. Each one still retains its original nickel plating. That inspired us to create a pendent with the feel of an early electrified gas lamp. These simple and elegant double bulb pendents were the type used to illuminate factory workshops and stores around the turn-or-the-century. The proportions of the lamp are perfect as well as the price… $350. See our listing on 1stdibs.
These impressive lamps are over 18 inches in diameter. The glass is frosted and has some iridescence to it. It hangs 20 inches deep. They were salvaged from an early bank building. Everything is original including the bronze finish. These fixtures are very elegant without being overly decorative. We have a collection of 4 matching lamps. We have never seen these before. They are priced individually at $1200 each. You can buy one or all four. See our all our newest listings on EarlyElectrics.com or 1stdibs.com
Each week Vintage & Modern‘s trusted vintage and antique experts choose the best from the 1000′s of items listed on their site. They scour their inventory for objects which balance the unusual with smart value. V & M experts track what is selling, review in-house trend forcasts and combine this knowledge with their own years of industry experience to select unique quality pieces. The antiques chosen are often worth far more than what the dealers are asking.
Above are pretty much V&Ms own words… Is it a bit self serving to say how wise these experts are.
Wehave at least 12 in stock right now…. $375 each. Buy one or all 12
We are asked all the time. “We love your lamps but what about furniture?” You won’t find it on EarlyElectrics.com unless you dig deeper. Look for the 1stdibs.com, V&M.com and Antiques links and it will take you to our other collections.
Steve Erenberg Prop.
These lamps are full out industrial but also have a 20th Century Modern feel. They stand 25 inches tall and have a 16 inch diameter. We love the corrugated metal box on top. The most surprising part of the lamp is the huge prismatic Holophane glass lining. When lit there is a nice warmth to the reflected light. It has been rewired for standard edison bulbs. We have 4 in stock you can buy all or just one… $650 each
What other early lamp can compare to the simple elegance of white milk glass and white porcelain. This large 17 inch diameter glass shade coupled with a nicely detailed white porcelain 3 bulb cluster make a perfect combination. This is considered the quintessential lighting often found in stores and municipal buildings in the early part of the 20th century. It feels comfortable with all styles of decor… $800
