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Identification help needed on B&H (Bradley & Hubbard)
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Identification help needed on B&H (Bradley & Hubbard) by
Penny Bolton
Posted: Nov. 27, 1998 @ 18:06.
We have an old brass lamp with no chimney that was found in a cabin in Alaska 40 years ago. Stamped on it's center is "The B & H" no.89. It's very ornate and we'd like to fix it up and get a chimney for it but need more info. Any insights would be appreciated! PB
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On Nov. 28, 1998 @ 13:05, Fil Graff, Guild Secretary
wrote:
Penny: "B&H", Bradley and Hubbard is easy! #89 took some digging. It seems to be the big Mammoth "Store Lamp" font (image from a catalogue below). Check your lamp against the image to see if it's all there. Restoring the lamp is relatively simple, if the burner is complete. However, I personally consider these big lamps VERY poor burners, as they seem to smoke a lot, and thus are not suitable for modern houses!, and wicks are practically imposible anyway. I would recommend electrifying the lamp so it can be USED! A new 4" base chimney, which comes etched if you wish to hide the bulb, is readily available, as is an opal ("milk glass") 14" shade. By removing the flame spreader (the perforated thing in the center of the draft tube, inside where the wick goes), a large hole is available for a non-destructive electrification with a standard no-key socket. There is sometimes even room for a 3-way "touch" circuit package, so the light can be brightened and dimmed by simply touching any metal part (that's nice "magic", but useless if the lamp hangs too high to conveniently reach). As the center draft tube is BIGGER than the socket piect, some creative adaption needs to be done to hold the socket, but a wooden disk or big cork circle can do it if you lack the proper sized brass "slips".
These big "store lamps" make a very fine kitchen or den light, if one has a fairly high ceiling. The "drop" on the complete lamp can approach 36", so they aren't too good in a modern 8' ceilinged room, except if over a permanent table!
Hope that's what you needed. :: Fil Graff ::