- August 30, 2003
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- Dear Friends,
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- There is not a great deal of news to
relate, but what has developed since the last newsletter is well
worth reporting. In the January Newsletter I reported that the
Argand lamps would be available as oil-burning fixtures by spring
and that is indeed the case. All of the reproduction Argand and
solar lamps are now available either electrified or oil-burning.
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- The Argand Three-burner Chandelier
is now available. This brings the number of reproduction lamps
that are available to four: the Argand Student Lamp, Argand Annular
Chandelier, Argand Three-burner Chandelier, and the Solar Pendant
Chandelier. The first Argand Three-burner Chandelier was shipped
to the Friends of the Dr. Richard Eells House in Quincy, Illinois
several weeks ago. The chandelier is available both electrified
and oil burning. The electrified chandelier can be ordered with
or without a combination on-off/dimmer switch that is mounted
inside the oil distribution tank. The knob for the switch can
be seen at the bottom of the tank – it is
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- New solar shade
profile; Clockwise from top left: Argand side lamp, solar wall
sconce, Argand 4-burner chandelier, Solar harp chandelier, solar
wall sconce, solar 4-burner chandelier. Photographs of the solar
table lamp, the solar wall sconces, and the solar harp chandelier
are courtesy of Dr. Gerald Gowitt and are reproduced with permission
from his book 19th Century Elegant Lighting.
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- disguised as a small brass finial.
The photograph shows the chandelier finished in Hunter Green
with red striping. It is also available in opaque Prussian blue
with red striping, mustard yellow with black striping, and red
with yellow striping. Overall height of the chandelier is 29”
and the diameter at the largest point is 22 ½”. Pricing
is as follows: electrified - $1,895; electrified with on-off/dimmer
switch - $1,995; oil burning - $2,095.00.
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- Over the course of the past two or
so years, after spending much time and money, I have discovered
the techniques and materials used to accurately reproduce the
gold-gilt lacquered and dark patinated finishes on early 19th
century Argand, solar, and sinumbra lighting fixtures. I am very
excited about this development for it will allow me to reproduce
lamps that are authentic in every way. Also, I will be able to
expand my services to include refinishing original period lamps
along with the burner restoration work that I currently do. It
would be remiss not to express my sincere gratitude and thanks
to the individuals who so generously shared their knowledge and
time to help me in this endeavor; success would have been impossible
without their valuable input, encouragement, and support. I am
currently working on setting up a new finishing room with the
necessary equipment needed to reproduce these finishes; it should
be ready by early January.
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- The last bit of news is in the reproduction
glass department. First, another solar spherical shade (inside
frost, no decorative cutting) with a profile like that in the
photograph on the other side is now available. After a great
expenditure of time, effort, and money we (mainly the glassblower)
have been able to develop a method to blow shades that are accurately
and consistently faithful to a particular pattern or shape. We
plan to reproduce several different Argand shades and also sinumbra
shades and initial work on these has been very encouraging. I
also have reproduction chimneys available for the Harvard and
Moehring burners that were manufactured by Plume and Atwood.
These chimneys are made using Pyrex type glass so they can be
used safely; they are $41.95 each plus shipping - deduct 10%
for quantities of 12 or more pieces.
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- What’s ahead? There are a lot
of projects on the drawing board: several different solar wall
sconces, a solar harp chandelier, an Argand side lamp, an Argand
four-burner chandelier, and lastly, a solar four-burner chandelier.
Some initial work has been done on all of these fixtures; there
has been quite a bit of interest in the Argand four-burner chandelier
and the Argand side lamp and I plan to start work on them at
the end of the year.
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- Our show schedule for 2004 will start
off in late January with the Greater Philadelphia Historic Home
Show that is held in conjunction with the Designer Craftsmen
Show at the Valley Forge Convention Center, King of Prussia,
Pennsylvania. A brochure with show details is enclosed. I look
forward to meeting those of you who will be able to attend.
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- As always, I look forward to hearing
from you with any comments, questions, and last but not least,
orders. Check our website at www.jptinsmith.com from time to
time for updates regarding new developments.
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- Sincerely yours,
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- Joel Paradis
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