Featured Heavy brass lamp with MB Co burner

it's wonderful......not that that's helpful......but..

 

In truth......no.

 

The Manhattan Brass Company began in 1865 in New York City. It is notable because it was the only brass manufacturer prior to 1900 that was established without a direct connection to the brass mills of Connecticut's Naugatuck Valley. This is an Early kerosene burner.....I think !

I'm going to take a WAG...and say this puppy is more valuable than one might think...

 

Hi, Book!

Sorry I didn't add a reply when you posted this query. You may not have the lamp any more, but in case you do here is a little of what I think - emphasis on the think. I haven't had any luck finding a lamp like this in my references or online. As you know the burner is by Manhattan Brass. This hinge burner was patented by MB in July 1897 - patent #586346:
http://www.google.com/patents/US586346

The burner could have been mfg. anytime from 1897 to the early 1900s. The company liquidated in 1929. MB did make lamps and brass lamp supplies. They were noted for their student lamps.
http://www.thelampworks.com/lw_companies_manhattan.htm

Because the burner is on this lamp doesn't necessarily mean the lamp was made by Manhattan Brass. Some other companies did use their supplies. Also the burner may not have been originally with this lamp. Nowwwww I think, this is purely speculation, the burner is original to lamp, but the lamp not necessarily made by MB. I found it very hard to find any lamps either online or in a reprinted MB 1887 catalog of theirs that wasn't a student lamp. I did find a couple of squatty brass lamps that the seller called Manhattan Brass lamps only because they had a MB burner. So again being purely speculative I doubt the lamp was mfg. by Manhattan Brass. Again remember I'm speculating. I definitely would emphasis it has a patented 1897 Manhattan Brass Grand Hinge burner and let people take it from there. Here is one of those brass lamps with a MB Grand hinge burner. The lamp did sell.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-M-B-Company-Manhattan-Brass-Grand-Burner-kerosene-Oil-Lamp-/190929180322?nma=true&si=%2F7vKWUJ4932E4vXXCHDoX1Wv%2F3I%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

Here is a Manhattan Brass Grand hinge burner that still has the patent date brass tab/label on it.
http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/kerosene-burner-m-b-co-n-y-grand-hinge-patent

Here is an all glass utilitarian lamp that dates probably from 1900 to c1930 that has a MB Grand Hinge burner. The seller said it has a patent date of July 1857 on the hinge. 1857 is definite in error for Manhattan Brass wasn't founded until 1865. They miss read that date. It probably says 1897. MB definitely did not make this lamp. The burner doesn't fix, screw into, the press-on collar well meaning it was not original to the lamp.
http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/antique-oil-hurricane-lamp-manhattan-brass-grand

--- Susan

 

Hi Book,
I am wondering if you still have this lamp and if you have learned anything new about it? Do you know if the lamp has an applied patina?
Is it brass or bronze. I might have some additional information for
You. Thanks, Bruce

 

Whatd'yamean....you might ??
C'mon Bruce........Spill !!!

 

Ya...I'd keep it too.....it's so strong and handsome !!!

 

Hi Book,
I recently purchased an oil lamp which I believe is by the same maker.
I am off to work now and will add a photo/s tonight.
My research thus far indicates the maker is probably Manhattan Brass, with ties to Bradley & Hubbard and possible Tiffany. My lamp does not have a manufacturers mark other than the burner which is by Bradley & Hubbard. My lamp is brass and silver plated. I believe the lamp dates from the early 1890's. Does your lamp have a removable oil/kerosene reservoir? My lamp does not. The body of the lamp holds the oil/kerosene. The B & H burner needs to be removed in order to fill the lamp. This process probably led to the shade being broken and now missing. The fact that both of these 2 lamps are still around and were not melted down along with no major damages indicates they were taken care of. I have reason to believe these 2 lamps were custom made and not regular production models. When you see my lamp this will make more sense. I believe the same designer was envolved with both lamps. I am hoping someone else will have some additional information after seeing both lamps. The Tiffany connection comes from Tiffany purchasing lamps from Manhattan Brass before they setup there own foundry. Tiffany decorated/embellished these lamps and added patina. Tiffany's early lamps were not always signed. At least one of the major players in the lamp business worked at Manhattan Brass, Tiffany and Bradley & Hubbard. It seems skilled workers moved around the different companies and most likely would have passed along any helpful idea/secrets to there new employer. I'm guessing the process for Tiffany was one of development and experimentation. Based on what I have read so far;Tiffany got into lamps as a way to show off his innovative glass. There is quite a bit of information on line.
The records for the Tiffany Company were apparently lost in the 1930's. Letters from employees have surfaced and may shed some light on early lamps. I wonder if any records exist from Manhattan Brass as to Tiffany? I am not sure these 2 lamps will ever be positively matched to a specific company or person. It sure is fun to research and speculate!

Thanks, for your response. Bruce G.

 

Had not seen this thread before today. Had a candlestick and have seen other candelabra and candlesticks with this same coiled rope decoration on them. Attributed as being by Revere from what my research showed. I initially thought there may be a Tiffany connection but discounted it for some reason along the way.

In taking a look right now, I can not find anything like what I am talking about. I was fairly confident of the attribution at the time but I think it should be verified.

 

There are 2 medallions attached to the lamp. These were on when the lamp was silvered. The 2 medallions both relate to Joan of Arc. Have not seen this type of thing on
other lamps. Much of the silver has been polished off as can be seen from the remaining silver near the medallions and scrolls of wire decoration. The bottom retains most of
it's silver. The date on the one medallion is 1409 which is
one of 2 generally accepted birth dates for Joan of Arc.
Any comments would be greatly appreciated. I will try to
research the Revere connection.
Thanks, Bruce G.

 

My hasn't this thread resurrected and taken off with wings with Bruce and Brad, keeping it aloft!! Please, one and all do post your findings.

--- Susan

 

I also found some Tiffany student lamps with the coil rope motif. They all seem to marked. Following is a double student lamp. The description:

"Tiffany Studios, New York, New York, double posted student lamp. The bass shows remnants of an original copper wash over brass metal, fouvble patina with copper wash. Signature all-over rope and bead design applied. This pattern is sometimes referred to as "ovoid windows" double windows." the shades are pink cased, vertical ribbed, periord to base. circa 1870-1900."

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&sou...-JfHXtD4gNRVXLzgNw&ust=1453389508071013&rct=j

The original site, Price4Antiques, doesn't have the complete description like above without a subscription. As to a Revere lamp, I'm having a hard time pinning one down because of the many "Revere" stuff and such out there. There are a multitude of the Revere punched, pierced, tin lamps, candleholders. You have to wade through all of them to even hope of finding something other.

--- Susan