164 watercolors, sketches, hand colored drawings and copies of Lighting fixtures by E. F caldwell & Co., New York

Estimate

15,000 - 20,000 USD

bidding is closed

Description

the binders height 27 in.; width 20 in.
68.5 cm; 51 cm

contained in two large leather-bound portfolios, many pages stamped THIS DESIGN IS THE PROPERTY OF E.F. CALWELL & CO., INC WHO RESERVE THE SOLE RIGHT TO MANUFACTURE THE SAME.

Literature

The Magazine Antiques, E.F Caldwell & Company, By Jeni. L. Sandberg, February 1998, pp. 309-320.

Catalogue Note

From its establishment in 1895, Edward F. Caldwell & Company of New York reigned among the most estemed designers of lighting fixtures and other works in metal. Edward F. Caldwell was active as a designer in his New York community in the early 1880's. Towards the end of the century he began working for Archer and Pancoast Manufacturing Company, designers of gas lighting fixtures. At the time, electricity was only available to a very small percentage of affluent New Yorkers, but its invention inspired Caldwell's belief that such fixtures could have their own inherent artistic value.

While at Archer and Pancoast, Caldwell met Russian immigrant Victor F. von Lossberg with whom he would eventually form a partnership to create E.F. Caldwell & Company. Lighting fixtures were the firm's primary interest, but after 1910 they also made desk other works in metal such as sets, clocks, andirons and furniture.