Banker's lamp
{{Short description|Style of table lamp}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2019}}
{{Use Oxford spelling|date=March 2021}}
The banker's lamp is a style of electric desk or table lamp often characterized by a brass stand, green glass lamp shade, and pull-chain switch.
Such a lamp was first patented in the United States under the Emeralite brand name. These types of lamp are frequently used in libraries throughout the United States, which have made the lamp popular through their presence in films and TV series. Other examples can feature different colours of glass, and alternative switch types.
History
The first patent for a banker's lamp was filed on 11 May 1909 by Harrison D. McFaddin, and were produced and sold under the brand name Emeralite ("emerald" and "light"). Emeralite lamp shades were produced by the J. Schreiber & Neffen factory located in the town of Rapotín, Moravia.{{cite web|last1=Bleier|first1=Bruce|title=The Lamps of H. G. McFaddin & Co.|url=http://www.emeralite.com/|access-date=15 July 2014|archive-date=31 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140531183020/http://www.emeralite.com/|url-status=live}} Later competitors were sold as "Greenalite", "Verdelite", and "Amronlite".{{cite journal|last1=Elliot|first1=Lynn|title=Revival lighting of the 20s and 30s|journal=Old-House Journal|volume= 24| issue = 2|page=57|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FvkgE3tKp0gC}}File:British Brass Banker's Lamp. Patented in 1929.jpg
A British version of the banker's lamp was filed for a patent in 1929, which, instead of a glass shade, has a solid brass shade or reflector. In addition, the positions of both the pedestal and the shade are adjustable.{{cite web |last1=Cash |first1=Frederick Thomas |title=Improvements in or relating to electric table lamps and the like |url=https://worldwide.espacenet.com/publicationDetails/biblio?DB=EPODOC&II=7&ND=3&adjacent=true&locale=en_EP&FT=D&date=19310204&CC=GB&NR=342705A&KC=A |website=Espacenet |access-date=4 September 2021 |archive-date=22 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230422165608/https://worldwide.espacenet.com/publicationDetails/biblio?DB=EPODOC&II=7&ND=3&adjacent=true&locale=en_EP&FT=D&date=19310204&CC=GB&NR=342705A&KC=A |url-status=live }} Examples are commonly seen on the secondhand market.
See also
{{commons category|Banker's lamps}}
References
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