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by **dcon6019** on Sat Jul 27, 2013 11:05 pm

These are several gaslight poles. All are from baltimore except the most decorative one in front which came from Philadelphia.

In the very back is one of my favorite gaslight poles. It is often refered to as a step pole. The large collar in the picture allowed the lamplighter to "step" up and light the lamp without the use of a ladder. These poles did not have crossbars because of this. The last gas operating gas streetlamp in the city of Baltimore was extinguished in the 50's. I'll try to dig up the photo. It was mounted on this style lamp post. I like to think the one I have now is the same on from the photo. I know it isn't true, but it really makes you feel like your part of history to imagine that it could be.

These are taller gaslight poles that I know very little about. The tops are shown in the previous photos. I am told the are from baltimore but have no proof. I have three more of these. I found them in a salvage yard with no fixtures to go with them. More photos to follow

by **dcon6019** on Sat Jul 27, 2013 11:21 pm

This is one of the welsbach fixtures that complete the gaslight poles previously posted. Nothing too special about this one. It was one of the most common styles.

This one is more fun. I didn't get the photo cropped correctly, but the vent on the top of this fixture is a double vent. These were common at one time, but depending on what area of the country you are in can be very hard to aquire today. If you find one try to hold onto it. They are a nice little touch give your lamp a unique twist.

This one is my favorite. The vent on top is the original style for all the welsbach street lights. They are galvinized so the didn't last like the rest of the fixture. You can find them around but they are usually in bad shape. If you are handy they are easy to rebuild Also this welsbach is not the standard frame. It is cast iron throughout. The other fixtures are cast with copper spirals on either side of the frame that supports the crown. The crown design is differnt on this lamp as well. Also the hinge for the milk glass top is slightly different. More photos to follow. It goes without saying that all these lights are from baltimore.

by **dcon6019** on Sat Jul 27, 2013 11:26 pm

Here are some great aluminum gas lamps that were made when gas lighting came back into popularity in the 70's. These fixtures came from Welsboro PA.

by **dcon6019** on Sat Jul 27, 2013 11:44 pm

Here are several restored original gas burner assemblies for the Welsbach's. One is shown with the mechanical timer and the other without for clarity. The only thing I am missing is a ceramic directional piece which would sit atop the pilot tube and direct the flame onto the gas mantle. The timer was wound and would engage the brass lever from pilot to burner and back again automaticly. This saved the lamp lighters the task of lighting the lamps nightly, and extinguishing them in the morning.

Here are two additional gas street lamp burners that are not as old. These were more 50's era and are still in use in some places today, minus the mechanical timers of course. You will notice that these gas valves were controlled from the side instead of being mounted centrally to the burner assembley. These set-ups were not used in Welsbach's but in 4 6 and 8 sided lamps with lites that opened to allow acess to the burners. Think Boston, and New orleans. If you run across andy of these burners shown here hold on to them and treasure them. They are almost impossible to find. If you have any questions pleas let me know. I have rebuilt several and would be glad to help.

by **dcon6019** on Sat Jul 27, 2013 11:54 pm

Here is a nice old pie pan style light. There is a brother that matches. Not really street lights but still worth saving.

This fixture was purchased by my grandfather many years ago and sparked my interest in lighting today. This is a studio prop that my grandfather was told was in the movie Casablanca. It is one of those great family stories that seems impossible to belive but you hold onto anyway because it is so outrageous. I don't know about the Casablanca part, but I am sure it was a prop and that it was never designed to be outside for extended periods. The original glass shades were removed and sit in the garage. We replaced them with poly shades and drilled small holes to keep the entire fixture from filling with water. It is a great piece and a reminder of what started me collecting in the first place.

by **dcon6019** on Sun Jul 28, 2013 9:19 am

EdT. wrote: Very cool collection, thanks for sharing!

I hope to find something very similar to this one of yours or Easy's (full thread here) some day, but it's mighty slim pickings in this neck of the woods...

If you are looking to find gaslighting or electric Jersey is one of the best places to be. Jersey is one of the few places that has a large number of gas lights still in service. Keep your hopes up. Also there is currently a post on craigslist for some salvaged cast iron lamp posts.

http://jerseyshore.craigslist.org/atq/3937184021.html

Some of these are damaged but might be what your looking for. Hope this helps.

by **4wayeaglefan** on Fri Sep 06, 2013 6:14 am

I was born and raised in Baltimore in the Mid late 50's and remember very well the Gas lamps, on my Street. (W. 32nd St. in Hampden), I also recall the time the Gas lamps were replaced by the Novalux's. Baltimore had many all over the City, but soon they were being replaced by the Mercury Vapors. Great collection, hope I get to see more when I am back down that way! :good:

by **Rosey** on Fri Sep 06, 2013 4:02 pm

These are great pics, thanks for sharing your collection!
-Rosey

by **dcon6019** on Sun Sep 08, 2013 9:22 pm

4wayeaglefan wrote:I was born and raised in Baltimore in the Mid late 50's and remember very well the Gas lamps, on my Street. (W. 32nd St. in Hampden), I also recall the time the Gas lamps were replaced by the Novalux's. Baltimore had many all over the City, but soon they were being replaced by the Mercury Vapors. Great collection, hope I get to see more when I am back down that way!

I don't know how long you have been out of Baltimore, but there aren't any gas street lights still in service here in the city anymore. There is one that they run in the museum of industry and another in the streetcar museum. The city used to maintain one gas light at Holliday and E. Baltimore, the sight of the first gas street light in the U.S. I haven't driven by it in a few months but the last time I checked the light was there but the burner was not lit. Also the street lamp that is currently at Holliday and Baltimore is not an original. The original was vandalized and then stolen years ago. The current fixture is a aluminum reproduction that was doctored a bit to make it look more like an original. If you are ever in the area let me know you are welcome to swing by and take a closer look at my collection. On a side note, I am going to be starting the restoration on the fixture shown here in my other thread.

viewtopic.php?f=34&t=13342

I am having trouble confirming the original paint scheme for these lights. They were in installed in druid hill park in the 70's. Do you happen to remember these. Thanks in advance.

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