ARCHIVED Questions and Answers
Plume and Atwood (and successors)
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Plume and Atwood and a lamp [INDEX: Plume & Atwood] by Paul
J. Bross
Posted: July 14, 1998 @ 00:45.
Paul J. Bross <tudyboy@thegrid.net> wrote:
I have been searching for information regarding the Plume & Atwood Manufacturing co. and a specific lamp I have purchased. I'm hoping you can enlighten me or direct me to a possible source for further research.
A year ago I purchased a Kero at auction that appeared to be painted black on the base and burner. Long story short, the lamp is has a SilverElectro Plated base and burner and a beautiful Ruby Glass font. The font appears to be pressed glass with a Cross Hatch design. The chimney, which I assume to be original appears wheel cut with cross hatch design and is perfect.
The markings on the lamp are: Base "Gorham EP (with their logo), and a number 'YC 3060'." The thumb wheel is inscribed "P&A Dorsett Div. Thomaston, Conn. Made in USA." I bought the lamp at auction for $50 as it looked positively ugly. Upon cleaning and polishing it is indeed the ugly duckling.
I would appreciate any assistance and thank you in advance for your consideration.
Paul J. Bross
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On July 14, 1998 @ 00:46, Fil Graff
wrote:
Guild Response
May 30, 1998 11:15 EDT Paul: I can start with Plume and Atwood. I believe the company is still in business in Mediden, CT. They only do brass rolling and other pre- fabrication business today. The company was started by Mr. C. Holmes and Mr. (?) Booth of the Holmes, Booth and Haydens Co. (also burner makers), who took the shop foreman, one Lewis J. Atwood (brilliantly inventive man with many lighting patents to his credit) with them when they left (evidently less than amicably). The trio formed a company they called "Holmes, Booth and Atwood", but were soon sued by the Haydens over use of the name which was allegedly "too close to that of Holmes, Booth and Haydens" (the Hayden Brothers KEPT the original name, even after the other two partners partners left). The Haydens won the suit, so the new company was quickly renamed "Plume and Atwood" (Mr. Plume was the Secretary- Treasurer). P and A was one of the primary (and longest-lasting) US kerosene lamp and burner makers from the 1880's until the mid 1950's (they made ALL the metal parts for the Aladdin kerosene lamps) until a hurricane-driven flood destroyed the fabricating plant located along the river, and washed much of the tooling and equipment away.
I'll post the Question on the Guild Page, and see what additional information is submitted. Perhaps even something on your particular lamp!
:: Fil Graff, Guild Secretary ::
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On July 14, 1998 @ 00:48, Bill Courter
wrote:
[Information copied from Aladdin Knights Home Page, where essentially the same Question was asked by the same person.]
Bill wrote:
The Dorset P & A burner was made in the early 1970s. The Fabricating Division of P & A was sold to Landers, Frary & Clark in New Britian, CT between 1964-65. L, F & C was purchased by J.B. Williams Co, NY, then subsequently sold to GE. At that time the Fabricating Division reverted back the parent company and became Dorset Division, of the Dorset Corp., Thomaston, CT. Cannot tell anything about your lamp which may be much older [with a replacement burner on it], or may not.