Antique Adams & Westlake 4435 Adlake Oil Side Carriage Truck Lamp Lantern 10"

Description

Circa 1910's Adlake Model 4435 side lamp / carriage lamp / truck lamp by the Adams & Westlake Company of Chicago, IL. Black painted metal with clear bullseye glass lens. "Known as a “side lamp,” “carriage lamp,” or “truck lamp,” our artifact would have been sold in pairs and designed specifically for use on the front of early automobiles (particularly delivery/work vehicles) in the years before electric car lighting became the norm in the 1920s. They were basically makeshift, oil-powered headlights that truck owners could manually attach via double-support fork brackets... According to a page in the 1920 catalog of the Pittsburgh Auto Equipment Co., “the Adlake Line of Truck Lamps was put on the market to meet the demand for a lamp which would withstand the severe conditions imposed upon them in truck service. The bodies are made of steel and the lamps are constructed with the Adlake Balanced Draft Ventilation which insures proper burning and a clear lens under all weather conditions.Being fitted with Long-time Burners, they will burn 20 to 24 hours with one filling of the oil fount. This fount is contained within the lamps, thus preventing the loss of this part, as is the case with drop bottom lamps. The Adlake lamps are used as standard equipment by most of the prominent truck manufacturers.” (Made in Chicago Museum)

"Adams & Westlake Company, otherwise known as Adlake, is reported by the company to have been founded in 1857. This was most probably the date at which one of the first concerns that would grow, merge and evolve into Adlake was organized in Chicago, Illinois. However, it wasn’t until 1874 that J. McGregor Adams and William Westlake merged their interests and provided the lasting name for the company. The first namesake, J. (John) McGregor Adams, was born in Londonberry, NH in 1834. He began his work in railroad supplies by gaining employment with Clark and Jesup, a New York firm. He was transferred, around 1858, to Chicago to run that company’s new sales office. John Crerar, another member of the Jesup firm, joined him shortly thereafter and eventually the two formed Crerar, Adams & Company. William Westlake, the second namesake, was born in Cornwall, England in 1831. He came to the United States at age 16, working various jobs in the Midwest. In 1862, he invented the loose globe lantern which was used on railroads. He created other railroad lamps as well, which accounts for that particular specialty of the firm. Since the beginning, the company has produced railroad and hardware supplies. By the early 1900s, Adlake was hailed as one of the largest suppliers of transportation equipment. The company manufactured transportation-related hardware such as lamps, lanterns, lights, keys, sashes, luggage racks, lavatories and much more. They were successful enough to absorb at least portions of the operations of other prominent railway suppliers. In 1927, Adams & Westlake moved their operations to Elkhart, Indiana. They continue to operate there through the current day, manufacturing products for the transportation industry. The company’s Web site currently lists over 15 different types of transportation-related products, including but not limited to lamps, locks, latches window accessories, door holders, and handles/pulls, many of which they have been producing in one form or another for years." (Indiana History)

Condition

Good Overall - Gentle wear

Dimensions

7" x 7" x 9.5" (Width x Depth x Height)