I would like background info and an appraisal on a totally unique brass Seaboard (SAL, Seaboard Air Line Railroad) Railroad Table Lamp.
The overall height of the lamp is 22 inches with a total weight of 12.8 lbs. Made entirely of brass (perhaps some copper components), with the exception of three steel threaded tubes which provide the substructure for the brass components. Major elements of the lamp are either soldered, such as the decorations and tubing ends, or threaded such as the main structure assemblies. All major component parts are machine threaded and screwed together.
The largest and heaviest competent is the base. Filled with pored lead and painted black with a race for the electric cord. Stamped on the bottom of the into the lead material are the letters, "ST LOUIS", which are block letter but not in a straight line, suggesting they were individually stamped. Below that are the numbers' "125-6", and below that is the number "99". Further down is a manufacturer or craftsman stamped logo, a circle surrounding the letters. "CC"
The lamp shades are bell shaded and include a shade collar, vent ring and cap. All these are soldered in to one assembly, 5 1/2 inches in total. There bottom lip of the bell shaped shades are approximately 4 3/8 inches in diameter, with a curled edge and about believed to be #1 gauge sheet metal stock . The numerous small outward irregularities of the rounded portion of the shade suggest these were hand shaped (hammered) on a small shaping jig. Inside the shade is a hardened enamel coating. No smoke or soot residue is present inside the shades.
The outside of the shades have a hand twisted brass or copper roping around the taper, attached with solder. On the shade front is a shaped decorative plaque mounted with four machine screws and nuts. Close examination of the scroll work on these plaques suggests they were also handcrafted. The small disks in the center of the plaque is a round disk with the word "SEABOARD' in raised block lettering, also soldered in place.
The electric bulb socket is brass or copper with paper insulation inside. The socket switch knob is black plastic type painted gold with the word āLEVITONā on the face. (This may not be original)
The top decorative cross arms have soldered end knobs for lamp shade attachments. The arms are not equal in length, about 1/8 in difference, so the arm only fits in one direction, again suggesting Hand craft.
Scrollwork pieces appear to be cast and hand finished, and soldered in place.
The rope and tassel, center of lamp also appears to be rough cast and hand finished.
Other info. A local railroad historian inspected the lamp and stated that it did not appear to be a mass produced railroad car lamp in that it was too difficult to change the bulb. Significant disassembly is required to change the bulbs. Moreover, he stated the base was too small for rolling stock use, because it would not provide sufficient stability for the lamp. He stated he had never seen such a lamp before and suggested it may have been a handmade executive or executive retirement gift.
