Old railway lamp

gazelle · 6th July 2012, 17:24

Been clearing grandad's shed and have come across a lamp.
I know both he and his dad worked on the railways so guess
that is why he had it.
I have been told it is something I should investigate so am hoping
someone on here can advise me about it.
It was made by Bulpitt & sons in 1880, the glass panels are very thick and intact, some damage to the fretwork on top.
It is 16' high.

I can post a photo if someone can advise me how to.

Thanks
Ann

michael769 · 13th July 2012, 15:17

Cannot tell you anything about the lamp but...

Bulpitt & Sons was a 19th century Brass foundry who branched out into manufacturing. They were well known for manufacturing lamps both domestic and industrial, including lamps for lighthouses and the railways. They supplied lamps for signals to North British Railways at one point. They also were one of the first manufacturers of (brass) plug in electric kettles.

At the start of the 20th century they registered the Swan brand for their new range of aluminium kitchen and cooking utensils.

In the 1970s the company was taken over by the electrical manufacturer BSR and many on the forum will no doubt be familiar with the Swan name as a manufacturer of kettles and small kitchen appliances in the 1970s and early 1980s, as they were quite popular at the time.

The brand was purchased at the end of the 1980s by Moulinex and shortly after the Bulpitt & Sons company was officially wound up. In 2001 Moulinex itself went bust and was acquired by Tefal. The Swan brand is now licensed to a group of former employees from the Swan factory in Staffordshire.

Their early 20th Century lamps sell for between £50 and £300 (though some of the rarer marine signalling lamps can reach £1500), but it might be worth getting yours valued as I have never heard of a 19th century example, so it may be worth a little more for rarity value.

http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Bulpitt_and_Sons

gazelle · 13th July 2012, 15:49

Thank you Michael for that very interesting information, very kind
of you to pass it on.

It has made me decide to try and find out more now, Ok it would be
nice if it were worth something but I want to know what it's history is.
If I remember to do so I will post on here should I get to know more.
best wishes
Ann

O L Leigh · 13th July 2012, 17:06

I hate to burst your bubble, but unless there is something to tie this lamp to the railways (e.g. a railway company crest, etc) I would be inclined to think it has nothing specific to do with the railways. It certainly isn't a head or tail lamp attached to a train.

O L Leigh

13th July 2012, 15:17	#2
michael769 cynic extrodinaire Established Member Join Date: 9 Oct 2005 Posts: 1,703	Cannot tell you anything about the lamp but... Bulpitt & Sons was a 19th century Brass foundry who branched out into manufacturing. They were well known for manufacturing lamps both domestic and industrial, including lamps for lighthouses and the railways. They supplied lamps for signals to North British Railways at one point. They also were one of the first manufacturers of (brass) plug in electric kettles. At the start of the 20th century they registered the Swan brand for their new range of aluminium kitchen and cooking utensils. In the 1970s the company was taken over by the electrical manufacturer BSR and many on the forum will no doubt be familiar with the Swan name as a manufacturer of kettles and small kitchen appliances in the 1970s and early 1980s, as they were quite popular at the time. The brand was purchased at the end of the 1980s by Moulinex and shortly after the Bulpitt & Sons company was officially wound up. In 2001 Moulinex itself went bust and was acquired by Tefal. The Swan brand is now licensed to a group of former employees from the Swan factory in Staffordshire. Their early 20th Century lamps sell for between £50 and £300 (though some of the rarer marine signalling lamps can reach £1500), but it might be worth getting yours valued as I have never heard of a 19th century example, so it may be worth a little more for rarity value. http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Bulpitt_and_Sons Last edited by michael769; 13th July 2012 at 15:26.

13th July 2012, 15:49	#3
gazelle New Member Join Date: 6 Jul 2012 Posts: 2	Lamp Thank you Michael for that very interesting information, very kind of you to pass it on. It has made me decide to try and find out more now, Ok it would be nice if it were worth something but I want to know what it's history is. If I remember to do so I will post on here should I get to know more. best wishes Ann

13th July 2012, 17:06	#4
O L Leigh In the cab with the paper Established Member Join Date: 20 Jan 2006 Posts: 3,207	I hate to burst your bubble, but unless there is something to tie this lamp to the railways (e.g. a railway company crest, etc) I would be inclined to think it has nothing specific to do with the railways. It certainly isn't a head or tail lamp attached to a train. O L Leigh __________________