L.257

An American metal table lamp by The Rochester Lamp Co. with a pleasing design and two handles. Built circa 1890. This lamp is pictured at Courter.

I bought this lamp at auction primarily because its copper colour is very suitable for an old Rochester shade with an intense painting of red flowers. I had already got the shade before. Unfortunately, it turned out later that the lamp had been a bad buy, because firstly: The wick together with the wick lifter is absolutely firmly baked; even after a whole day in acetone they did not come loose at all. Secondly, the joint between the font and the short column was heavily contaminated with copper carbonate. At one point, a small hole even appeared as a result. Because of these two problems, the lamp is not able to burn; I can neither move the wick nor replace it. Judging by the dirt that has been dissolved out by acetone bath, the lamp has been used long and intensively. Why the wick holder is completely immobile, I don't know.

Nevertheless, the lamp is still beautiful: it is made of copper-plated brass, which is in good condition except for two small dents on the font, if one disregards the copper carbonate. Of course, the copper overlay is a little rubbed here and there. I completely sanded down the connector under the font, which was covered with copper carbonate in places, down to brass surface to get a uniform look.

The handles are made of cast zinc, the copper bronze of which is quite rubbed off.

To put the beautiful shade on, I had to use a three-arm shade carrier that I had, but it was too wide. Then I simply soldered this support to an exactly fitting American globe holder. This way the shade holder stands very firmly on the burner.

I used a Matador chimney, which fits quite well, instead of a USA #2 chimney, which had to be purchased new, in order to save further costs.

Lamp Data

Added by me:
Glass chimney, Rochester shade and shade holder.

Cleaning and repairs:
Soldered two shade holders together. Sanded the middle part with copper carbonate completely down.

Lamp body:
Lamp body of copper-plated brass sheet (copper layer somewhat rubbed off). Base beautifully decorated, bottom and top with holes for the central air intake, Ø 158 mm.
On the vase 2 ornamented handles of cast zinc (copper bronze rather rubbed off).
Vase is at the same time a font. Vase marked on the upper rim: The Rochester Pat Sept.14 1886. With extra oil filler. Width with handles 228 mm.

Burner:
USA #2 center-draft burner of Edward Miller, USA, for Rochester Lamp Co., USA.
Burner marked: Pat. Sept.14 1886.
No wick knob, but special wick lifter rod on the font.
Original flame disc, marked: The Rochester - This End Up - Pat'd Oct 1 1889 & Aug 26 1890.
Round wick Ø 40 mm.

Glass chimney:
20’’’ Matador chimney with slim bulge. Height 270 mm, Ø fitter 65 mm. Without brand.

Shade and shade holder:
Rochester shade of white milk glass, cased and intensively painted, American shape, flat upper rim.
Height 155 mm, Ø bottom 251 mm.
250 mm shade holder without outer hoop for USA #3 burners, soldered to a 100 mm globe holder for USA #2 center-draft burners.

Lamp dimensions:
Height up to collar 21.5 cm, total height with chimney 52.0 cm.
Total weight 2030 g.