-Message to elevatorpreservation-

Currently I’m behind another story.

You probably heard that Otis claims to have installed the first passenger-elevator ever to the Eder V. Haughwout-Building in 488-492 Broadway, Soho, NYC. This happened in 1857 – later in 1892, Alonzo B. See installed another elevator to the same building – guess what: I’ve heard that this one is still in working order while the Otis has been removed in the 19th century already. (Here, Wikipedia is wrong.)

Also, I’ve heard that it is worth a visit. I can’t confirm but this got my attention. Could you try to use your tools to make a call for information? Maybe we may even find somebody who lives or works close – it should be possible to try to get access and ideally make some photographs. The building doesn’t look like a highly secured one; there is a Staples-market in the first floor.

I think this elevator is of interest for elevator-historians just because it survived while Otis’ got lost – you must know that See and Otis had some nice fights. See originally was employed with Otis but later opened his own business.

I have included a link to wikipedia – this is just for the picture of the building. Please ignore what somebody wrote about the elevator – this is, as said before, wrong.

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E._V._Haughwout_Building

May 25th, 2010:

It looks like this story can be confirmed by the seller of the historic elevator-cabin (see post below): after re-visiting the old elevator, he confirmed that A. B. See is the manufacturer. The difference from my expectation is that what I see on the photographs doesn’t seem to be an elevator in “working order” – but at least, it may have been in operation until they shut it down maybe just a few years ago.

The elevator currently being removed from the Haughwout thereby is not necessarily a piece of American history like the 1857 Otis would have been. However, it is somewhat meaningfull to the story of A. B. See and the competition he had with the Otis Elevator Company.

I give the seller a lot of credit for putting such a high price tag on it. After all it’s more than just wood cab walls, its a piece of American History.

The actual listing is below. 

Antique Otis Elevator Cab.  Machined East Lake Style.  First commercial elevator in NYC.  Created as a cabinet in approximately 1825, the cab has pretty wood paneling and mirrors within and detail without.  48 x 67 inches.  The cab, a historically and architecturally significant piece of American History, will be gently removed from The Haughwout Building in NYC. The elevator cab was constructed as a piece of custom millwork unlike contemporary cabs that are constructed in individual panels.

I just wish there were more photos to look at.

Have some information on how these might have worked? Comment below!

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.

http://myworld.ebay.com/the-patent-guy/

http://cgi.ebay.com/US-PATENT-of-the-ELEVATOR-Elisiah-Otis-1861-Art-Print_W0QQitemZ120438276968QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item1c0aae4368

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.

• 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.

We have two versions of this book online, one that is a full resolution version which is very large in size and the other is a much smaller web quality resolution.

If you’d like to send Patrick a note thanking him for his hard work please drop him an e-mail.

Download This Great Book Below – Two Resolution Sizes To Choose From

The History of the American Elevator Industry 1850-2001 – Full Resolution 86.7mb .PDF File

The History of the American Elevator Industry 1850-2001 -Web  Quality Resolution 4.7mb .PDF File