Bradley and Hubbard Hanging Oil Lamp Value Guide

This Victorian-era 'Iron Horse' library lamp is a quintessential piece of 19th-century Americana manufactured by the Bradley & Hubbard Manufacturing Company. Its heavy cast iron construction and innovative mechanical pull-down feature made it a functional masterpiece for libraries and dining rooms between 1875 and 1880.

What Is Bradley and Hubbard Hanging Oil Lamp Worth?

The typical price range for Bradley and Hubbard Hanging Oil Lamp is $225 - $250 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• Condition of the cast iron frame, specifically looking for original finishes and a lack of cracks or welds.
• The integrity of the white milk glass shade, as chips or heat cracks significantly reduce the $225-$250 valuation.
• Completeness of the mechanical components, including the original brass burner and the functional pull-down mechanism.
• Provenance and manufacturer markings that confirm its origin from the Meriden, Connecticut factory.

How to Identify Bradley and Hubbard Hanging Oil Lamp?

• Look for the Bradley & Hubbard patent marks typically found on the brass burner or the cast iron frame components.
• Verify the presence of the original heavy cast iron gothic-style frame which earned the model its 'Iron Horse' nickname.
• Check for the authentic white milk glass shade which should fit securely within the ornate Victorian frame.
• Inspect the mechanical pull-down system to ensure the counterweight and pulley components are consistent with mid-1870s engineering.

History of Bradley and Hubbard Hanging Oil Lamp

Patented in the mid-1870s, this lamp was manufactured by the Bradley & Hubbard Manufacturing Company of Meriden, Connecticut. Known as the Iron Horse due to its heavy cast iron construction and mechanical pull-down feature, it was a staple of late 19th-century American households, providing adjustable lighting for libraries and dining rooms.