L.249

A dainty American lamp that is totally European in appearance! It is completely silver-plated and has an owner's monogram. This lamp certainly stood in a rich, distinguished house.

The lamp is made and silver-plated by Simpson, Hall, Miller & Co. (in Wallingford, Connecticut, founded in 1866, acquired by International Silver Co. in 1898). The initials of the monogram are so intertwined that I could not decipher them.

The lamp was completely tarnished black when I got it. When I tried to clean the silver layer simply with silver polish, I found that this was hardly possible, because the silver tarnish was very advanced. I then used the "Quicksilver" method in a soda bath to clean the silver. Unfortunately, some layers of silver came off, especially on the monogrammed side. My attempts to re-silver these areas with a silver solution were unsuccessful. Unfortunately, the silver solution does not adhere to such areas with a bare zinc surface.

The small Victor burner from P&A is a Kosmos burner and therefore also requires a Kosmos chimney. Half of the burner was torn off at the gallery. I soldered this spot a bit to stabilise the burner. The globe holder covers this spot quite well.

A Baccarat ball shade fits this lamp very well, as it is just as finely crafted. A marked 6''' Kalthoff chimney completed the lamp.

Lamp Data

Added by me:
Glass chimney and ball shade.

Cleaning and repairs:
I soldered the cracked spot on the burner gallery.

Lamp body:
Lamp completely silver plated. Square base, 88 x 88 mm. Marked under the base: Manufactured and plated by Simpson, H., M. & Co. 3233.
Vase in octagonal urn form, with two finely ornamented handles. Ø 93 mm, with handles 139 mm. Monogrammed on the back. Silver layer partially lost.
The vase is also a font.

Burner:
6’’’ Victor burner (Kosmos type) of Plume & Atwood, USA, silver-plated. Burner thread 22.2 mm.
Wick knob marked: Victor - The P&A Mfg. Co.
Flat wick 32 mm.

Glass chimney:
6’’’ Kalthoff chimney. Height 231 mm, Ø fitter 34 mm.
Marked: Patent 6''' + crown.

Shade and shade holder:
Ball shade by Baccarat, colourless glass, frosted, deep-etched motifs, 2 brass rings. Without slip fitter.
Height 138 mm, Ø bottom opening 50 and bulge 152 mm.
70 mm globe holder for 6’’’ burners, silver-plated, original part of the lamp.

Lamp dimensions:
Height up to collar 24.7 cm, total height with chimney 51.0 cm.
Total weight 1370 g.