Luxmen Lighting
From Replication, to Restoration, Fabrication, Design, and Finishing. We design and built authentic style Lighting.
Blake Patent Conductor’s Lantern
This is one of the rarest and most desirable Conductor’s Lanterns that exist, the Blake Patent Wristlet Lantern, patented 1852, and made to rest on your forearm while taking tickets to allow the use of both hands. Very few survive, both because it was a little quirky and because in a fixed globe lantern, if the globe breaks, you threw it away. It wasn’t until William Westlake invented a removeable globe lantern that the globe was seen as replaceable if it broke. This was an intensive restoration, and somewhat stressful especially when soldering the globe guard and the heat was absorbing into the edge of the globe both top and bottom. Careful heat control, and taking time to let the heat spread prevented temperature shock. The lantern was pulled apart, dings and damage that could be amended were. globe guard was straightened and radii trued up. Numerous other little jobs were done to clean up this piece to how it would have looked straight from the factory. If you have antiques that need similar work done, we can handle a range of crafts and methods to restore your lamp or lantern or even other antiques. Contact us with photos etc. for a quote. Replicas of most any lamp can also be commissioned.
Handlan U.S.L.H.S. Canal/River Lamp
This Handlan #125 River Channel Lamp marked “U.S.L.H.S.” (United States Light House Service) was missing its fount, had very rough paint, was electrified at one point with a junction box welded into the exhaust chimney in the top of the lamp. The customer, who has had this lamp in the family for decades, requested a full restoration of the lamp. There was other damage, other missing parts, all replaced, and I felt a nice touch would be a reed glass mirror on the rear, even if it’s not 100% authentic. It’s completely removable so no damage is done to the lamp with that addition. The lamp has a vintage burner the correct size. I added a hanger to the burner, so a 5/8″ wick can run along side the 7/8″ to help with capillary action for the taller than normal fount. To smooth over the damage and roughness, after existing paint was lightly sanded, and rust removed. 4 layers of primer were applied, sanded between coats, then 4 layers of color matched high gloss paint were air gunned, then 2 coats of clear gloss. If you have antiques that need similar work done, we can handle a range of crafts and methods to restore your lamp or lantern. Contact us with photos etc. for a quote. Replicas of most any lamp can also be commissioned.
Luxmen Lighting,
Madison Kirkman Here, I’ve started a new business that handles mainly Oil, Gas, and Early Electric Lamp Restoration, as well as Lamp and Hardware Replication. Follow us on Facebook and other Social Media Accounts for more posts about my projects and a website will also be started soon.
- « Previous
- 1
- 2
Craftsmanship
At Luxmen Lighting, we focus on restoring and crafting high-quality railroad oil lamps. Made from heavy brass and bronze, these lamps were built to endure railcar conditions while offering exceptional brightness. We use traditional techniques and materials to maintain their original design, whether restoring an antique or building a replica.
Historical Accuracy
As collectors of antique railroad lighting, we prioritize historical accuracy. Utilizing our collection of rare catalogs and committing intense research, we replicate lamps to within 99% of how the originals were built. We do not like cutting corners in our replication as each time you do, it diminishes the feeling of authenticity. When in the course of a restoration of a railcar, finding original lamps is not possible, we have taken only 1 photograph and 1 catalog to replicate an Entire Chandelier, and it is the spitting image of it. (That is our #586 Center Lamp if you are interested in looking at it.)
Our Thought Process
If asked to design a lamp from scratch, our top priority is ensuring it looks like it could have existed in the era it's set in. We use authentic components such as oil lamp burners, fuel caps, and soldered construction to achieve this. Replicating these lamps is crucial because originals are rare, and finding multiples for thematic settings or restaurants is nearly impossible. For clients seeking matching, historically accurate lighting, we offer custom designs that meet their needs with both authenticity and craftsmanship.
Latest Project
The Minnesota Transportation Museum is restoring James J. Hill's Private Railcar, the A-18. The original Adams & Westlake Fleur De Lis Pattern Chandeliers are long gone from a revamp of the coach in the 1920's/30's so to take the car back to how it was built in 1899, these Chandeliers, the highest quality pattern you could purchase back in the day, need to be replicated. We have scanned what pieces and parts we have found, and have to model the rest to have them cast, machined, and then assembled, polished, and finished. It is no small task.
Lamp shown in Rendering is a Work in Progress and no yet complete.