Welcome Antique Elevator Aficionado!
May 1st, 2009. Posted in Articles
This blog is dedicated to those of us who have a real appreciation for elevators. Not just any elevator but ones that bring a bit of yesterday with each vertical trip. You might call them antique, classic or turn of the century designed, we just call them cool!
Elevator and their operators where the life blood when buildings started to be built upward. They gave buildings character and warmth with a friendly, “What Floor Please” when you entered. They also usually acted as a security guard, knowing when offices were closed, tenants were on vacation and when visitors shouldn’t be on a certain floor.
This blog is made up of contributors who truly appreciate older elevators. If you are interested in becoming a contributor to this site please drop us a line at elevatorpreservation@gmail.com , we’d love to have you. If you see a photograph that you believe is copyrighted please let us know. All photographs and links are for non commercial purposes. It is not our intention to infringe on anyones copyright.
February 14th, 2010
Elevator Operator Safety Pin
Found this one for sale over on ebay. Currently at 18 bids and $103.80 this one is a hot item. I’m not sure if it’s popular because it’s linked to Studebaker or Elevators, but one thing is certain, it’s a cool piece of elevator memorabilia.
If only this pin could talk, the stories it might tell.
Description of Item: Pre 1954 Studebaker Corporation Employees Badge – Elevator Operator. No 159. “Safety First” “South Bend, Ind”. Excellent condition. Original pin
February 5th, 2010
Elevator Artwork!
Jack Bultman Jr, stopped in recently at C.J. Anderson & Company and was suprised to have seen an old CJA Car Switch hanging on the wall here in the office. He stopped and said that he had one that looked amazingly similar and that his Dad, Jack Sr, had made a lamp out of it. Without hesitation I asked Jack to take photographs of it and e-mail them to me.
Along the photos Jack added the following history behind it.
The background for this unique piece was my Dad worked at Lietelt elevator works in Grand Rapids Michigan from 1959 until 1960 building the controllers for Montgomery Elevator. One day the construction Super talked him into going to work for them.
Dave Otten gave me, Jack Jr., the fixture in 1996 to give to my dad. My Dad built the lamp in 1998. When my dad past away in 1999 my mother gave it to me to keep in the family. Underneath it is my dad’s original gang box that Montgomery gave him to work out of. I remember as a kid the thing always being in our garage somewhere piled high with junk. My dad made it into a table as you see there around the same time as the lamp.
All I can say is very cool! I hope this piece stays in the Bultman family but if you’re ever looking for another home for it please let us know.
January 28th, 2010
Help Ben Find An Old Elevator!
My name is Ben Samuel, I am working on a documentary series about Edwardian
engineering that will air on national Geographic in the States and Channel 4
in the UK.
I am very interested in finding any Edwardian (c1900-1915) era Otis Elevator
Company elevators that are still in working order. I am particularly
interested in any that are in the UK, or on New York, Washington or Chicago.
Do you know of any that might fir the bill?
Best wishes,
Ben
Ben Samuel
Associate Producer
Twenty Twenty Television
January 19th, 2010
A.B. SEE Car Switch
Found this old car switch for sale over on ebay. This unit which was taken out of an old hotel sold for $300 which was a steal to the winning bidder. A very cool piece of elevator memoribilia and one that would have looked great in any office, bar or garage. Don’t send any e-mails, this is long gone to the highest bidder. If you’re interested in a new car switch check this out. http://www.cjanderson.com/carswitches.aspx
If you’re interested in checking out some other cool car switches visit Elevator Bob’s website by clicking the following link; http://www.elevatorbobs-elevator-pics.com/car_switch_p1.html
Thanks to Bob for putting together this great photo website!
Mitchell Elevator For Sale
January 14th, 2010. Posted in Elevators - Pre 1900's
See another one out there selling an old elevator. The location of this unit is in Nevada.
I have an elevator from the late 1800’s in my bldg. I have the patents for it too. It is a Mitchell which of course is no longer in business since early 1900’s. It’s in good shape and I have pictures of it are attached. Please contact elevatorpreservation@gmail.com and we will put you in contact with the seller.
Cool Otis Elevator Patent Print For Sale
January 2nd, 2010. Posted in Elevators - Pre 1900's
I’ve seen these on Ebay before but this one is the best looking one I’ve ever seen and for the price you can’t beat it. If you love elevators and their history you’ll love this print. If for some reason it’s not on Ebay any more contact the seller through this link.
http://myworld.ebay.com/the-patent-guy/
Quality Reproduction of the
Original US PATENT for the ELEVATOR BRAKE!!!
Invented and Patented by Elisiah OTIS in 1874. This invention of the Elevator Brake made elevators safe and practical for use in high-rise buildings. This is his entire patent reproduced on 8.5″ by 11″ Antiqued Parchment Paper, and includes the Drawing Sheet and 2 Description sheets that describe the invention in full detail.
Own an amazing piece of HISTORY!!! Ready to FRAME!!!
Buy it Now!!!
This is a low resolution scan of the actual document for fast loading. The actual documents are of museum sharpness and quality.
Antique Oak Single Person Elevator Cab Including Motor For Sale
December 20th, 2009. Posted in Elevators - 1900-1930
You have to check this item out over on ElevatorGear.com! It’s not every day you get to see such a cool antique elevator for sale. The actual for sale link can be found by clicking the following link http://www.elevatorgear.com/detail.asp?id=1338
If for some reason the item is no longer posted please send the administrator at www.elevatorgear.com and they may be able to put you in contat with the seller.
Actual Post Descripton (Antique Turn of the century Single Person Elevator Cab. Solid Oak, 25 inches wide inches tall. 88 inches tall at the peak. Steel counter weight 89 inches tall. All the gears to make it work.)
1890’s Elevator Sign
December 18th, 2009. Posted in Elevators - Pre 1900's
This has to be one of the coolest items I’ve seen on ebay for quite some time. The last I had checked the bid was up to $255 and the reserve price had yet to be met. The details of the item are noted below. And yes, the first line item of it being rare is correct.
- Here is a beautiful CA 1890′S ELEVATOR DIRECTORY 43 X 26 X 1.5 INCH SIGN and in our opinion very rare.
- We have owned it for over 20 years
- This sign may have been in a lobby of a business or possibly head office of a corporation
- It is made out of solid wood and has nice gold lettering for the FIRST FLOOR, DIRECTORY ETC.
- Condition is overall great,see pictures for details, a couple of the floor letters are faded
- The LECKIE SIGN IS METAL AND WOULD SLIDE OUT TO BE REPLACED WITH OTHER BUSINESS NAMES(that was the only one it came with)
While not all the photographs are posted here the sign looked to be about 1″ thick. Looking at it now I think that reproducing a replica would be something that wouldn’t be too hard to do. I might end up giving this a try in my spare time, kind of like the New Yankee Workshop.
American Elevators Indianhead Emblem Sells For $355
December 1st, 2009. Posted in Elevators - 1900-1930
Being someone who is always on the look out for antique elevator equipment, this recent sale had me realizing that there IS a market for old elevator equipment. I’ve purchased my share of cast turn of the century (1900’s) elevator castings from both Ebay and www.ElevatorGear.com. Having seen this piece on ebay before I’ve seen it sell for between $35 and $95 but never have I seen it sell for $355! On top of the final sale was the fact that there were 21 bids on it.
So get your old equipment out and look to sell them for free over on elevatorgear.com or on Ebay for a fee. Remember, there is a market for the collectors in the elevator industry!
September 13th, 2009
Antique Elevator For Sale In London, UK
We have an old elevator for sale in London, with all the oak panels and metal cage and car! Would like to find this gorgeous antique a home! If you’re looking for an original elevator/lift for your home or building this is as authentic as you can get.
Please contact Steve via e-mail at acuteasbestos@btconnect.com or by phone! For more photo’s visit the classified add over on http://www.elevatorgear.com/detail.asp?id=1174
Steve
Acute
0791 8618070
01634 249939
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