Circa: 1880 to 1920
Condition: antique. used. very good
Color: brass & gold paint
Country of Origin: United States
Manufacturer: Adams & Westlake Co.
Edition: Unknown - believed to be 1

Here is a very hard to find antique Rail Road Passenger car oil or kerosene wall sconce, lamp, or light.  This lamp is marked Adams & Westlake co. Makers. Chicago.   The oil lamp is made of brass and comes with mounting brackets and burner.  Near the end of the 19th century, the most popular means of traveling across the country was by way of the many railroads from one end of America to the other.  The railroad Passenger Car was the luxury mode of travel in those days and for a very small charge, one could relax in the passenger seating compartment, enjoy a bite to eat in the Dining Car, or even get a good night's sleep in one of the sleeping or Passenger Berth cars.  It was a romantic time and I have no doubt this wonderful old oil lamp has plenty of the old magic and romance left inside.  This is a heavy, full size wall sconce with 4 ½ inch wide oil fonts.  Overall dimensions are roughly 3 inches top to bottom and 4 ½ inches wide.

 

On October 21, 1874, Mr. Adams and Mr. Westlake's companies joined forces to create the Adams and Westlake Company (Adlake).  The resulting organization became the most successful railroad lantern company ever.  Adlake merged with the Forsyth Brothers Company in 1899 to form the Curtain Supply Company which moved to Elkhart, Indiana in 1923.  Adlake manufacturing moved from Chicago to Elkhart in 1927 where they continue to make railroad equipment today.  In 1966, Adlake acquired another well known railroad lantern maker, the Lovell-Dressel Company.