L.303

An American central draft lamp by Edward Miller & Co. in fully nickel-plated condition. This type of embossed metal lamp was very common in the first decades of the 20th century.

This lamp was offered on eBay France. The low shipping costs and the excellent state of preservation made it an easy decision to buy.

The lamp is called Vestal Lamp by E. Miller. The wick knob is marked with New Vestal. Presumably the lamp dates from the first quarter of the 20th century. It is illustrated in Courter on page 259; Courter writes that these lamps were produced after 1904. There are no patent dates on the entire lamp, which is quite unusual. This also indicates a rather late production.

The lamp is in very good condition. The nickel coating is really very well preserved. The only downer is the fact that one of the prongs for chimneys has broken off. A rest of the prong is still on, so the chimney is held stable. By great luck I was able to get an old, marked Miller chimney that came from the UK! This lamp is my only American lamp with central air draft that got an old, marked chimney.

The painted American Rochester shade suits the lamp very well. These authentic, old, painted shades rarely turn up on eBay. So it's a stroke of luck when you can get one in such good condition.

It's interesting: the lamp came to me from France, the chimney from the UK and only the shade from the USA to form a real, authentic American lamp.

Lamp Data

Added by me:
Glass chimney and Rochester shade.

Cleaning and repairs:
Not necessary.

Lamp body:
Lamp body of ornamentally embossed sheet brass, nickel-plated. Nickel coating impeccably preserved. At the base and at the short column holes for air intake. Upper rim of the vase marked: Miller's Vestal Made in U.S.A. Ø base 157, vase 160 mm.
Metal vase is also a font. Extra oil filler, cap marked: Miller.

Burner:
USA #2 center-draft burner of Edward Miller, USA, with gallery lifting function.
Wick knob marked: New Vestal E.M. & Co. Wick knob back: Made in U.S.A.
Original flame disc, marked: Logo E M & Co. + Made in U.S.A.
Round wick Ø 40 mm.

Glass chimney:
USA #2 Vienna type chimney. Height 225 mm, Ø fitter 66 mm.
Marked: Miller No.2 Best Fireproof Crystal Made in Prussia.

Shade and shade holder:
Rochester shade, white milk glass, American shape neck, painted flowers, flat top rim.
Height 144 mm, Ø bottom 257 mm.
250 mm shade holder without outer hoop for USA #2 center-draft burners; collapsible.

Lamp dimensions:
Height up to collar 22.8 cm, total height with chimney 48.6 cm.
Total weight 1560 g.