The Elevator Preservation Blog

Original Car Switch From Nissen Building

Saturday, July 31st, 2010

We absolutely love when we get e-mails from people who have come across true elevator artifacts and have the history that comes with the piece.

Thanks to Tommy Yates who was nice enough to contact Jim over at C.J. Anderson asking how much the car switch that he purchased might be worth.  What’s great is that the history that Tommy has on where this car switch came from.

This Otis car switch was pulled out of the Nissen Building in Winston-Salem, NC when they did a remodeling back in the 1970’s. Some other great information that Tommy had to share was that he remembers going into this building many times during the 50’s and 60’s as his dad’s office was on the 3rd floor.  The elevator doors were brass and polished almost daily, also there was a fold down seat in the car for the operator.  The lobby had this beautiful pink marble wainscoating that sadly was torn out during the remodeling of the bldg., my dad acquired enough of this to cover every table top in the house at the time.

These kinds of photographs and stories are what this website is all about. Thank you so much Tommy for sharing your photographs and story. Enjoy the photos and additional information on the Nissen Building.

Wikipedia Entry on the Nissen Building

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissen_Building

Tags: Free Standing Otis Car Switch, NC, Nissen Building Winston-Salem, Otis Car Switch
Posted in Elevators - 1900-1930 | 2 Comments

Are These Elevator Button Plates?

Tuesday, July 27th, 2010

We received this e-mail today. If anyone has more information on this building or these plates please share it in the comments section below. Thanks!

Original E-mail: 

Hello:  Maybe you can help me.  I have purchased 4 of what I think are elevator call button face plates.  I found these at the estate sale for the old president of the State National Bank in Corsicana Tx.  The lobby was remodeled about 20 years ago and I think he may have wanted to keep these as mementos.   I say they are elevator plates, but they may have been for wall lights, door knobs.  They spared no expense when the bank was built in the 1920’s.  I am sure these are that old.  I would really like to know if these did come from the elevator.  I would really appreciate it if you have the time and can reply.  I have included a picture of our old bank also. 
Thank You, Anita

Response from Elevator Preservation: 

Hi Anita! Nice to hear from you! The plates you have are exceptional and the history you have on where they came from is even more unique. Unfortunately they are not elevator call button plates and are most likely door escutcheon plates.

Push buttons, and the holes they protruded from would have had smaller holes that they would have stuck through. Closer to 5/8″ or 3/4″, which was the standard of that time period.  Another item that is noticeable is that there are no mounting holes in the plate, top and bottom, that screws would hold the plate to the electrical box. Also there are four holes around the hole that would indicate another trim ring would be mounted on top and then a door knob on top of that.

Thank you so much for contacting us. Keep the history with the pieces along with the photographs. That in itself makes the plates more valuable!
Tom Sybert
ElevatorPreservation.com

Tags: Corsicana, State National Bank in Corsicana TX, TX
Posted in Elevators - 1900-1930 | 1 Comment

Help Ben Find An Old Elevator!

Thursday, January 28th, 2010

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

BenSamuel@twentytwenty.tv

Posted in Elevators - 1900-1930 | 2 Comments

A.B. SEE Car Switch

Tuesday, January 19th, 2010

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!

Tags: antique elevator, car switch, old elevator car switch
Posted in Elevators - 1900-1930 | 1 Comment

Antique Elevator For Sale In London, UK

Sunday, September 13th, 2009

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

Tags: uk antique elevator for sale
Posted in Elevators - 1900-1930, Elevators - 1931-1950 | 4 Comments