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rare diminutive 19th century antique american industrial patented refinished cast iron city street utility access cover with intact sun-purple glass vault lenses
  • rare diminutive 19th century antique american industrial patented refinished cast iron city street utility access cover with intact sun-purple glass vault lenses
  • rare diminutive 19th century antique american industrial patented refinished cast iron city street utility access cover with intact sun-purple glass vault lenses
  • rare diminutive 19th century antique american industrial patented refinished cast iron city street utility access cover with intact sun-purple glass vault lenses
  • rare diminutive 19th century antique american industrial patented refinished cast iron city street utility access cover with intact sun-purple glass vault lenses
  • rare diminutive 19th century antique american industrial patented refinished cast iron city street utility access cover with intact sun-purple glass vault lenses
  • rare diminutive 19th century antique american industrial patented refinished cast iron city street utility access cover with intact sun-purple glass vault lenses
rare diminutive 19th century antique american industrial patented refinished cast iron city street utility access cover with intact sun-purple glass vault lenses

rare diminutive 19th century antique american industrial patented refinished cast iron city street utility access cover with intact sun-purple glass vault lenses

SKU: UR-22257-15
hard to find all original patented c. 1880's brushed cast iron circular-shaped city street utility access cover with intact sun-purple lenses. the segmented cover contains raised edges with recessed dividers and lenses. a total of seven lenses were used in this small utility cover. the brushed metal finish has been selaed with a clear coat lacquer. multiple sections, covers, coal chutes, etc. were recently acquired from chicago sidewalks and streets undergoing extensive rebuilding. unlike the richards and kelly vault light fragments, the lenses used in the brown brothers fragments contain manufacturer markings, in the form of embossed lettering on each and every lens. the chicago-based brown brother & company founded their vault light business in 1860. by 1873, the well-established company boasted a workforce of 85 men at their factory complex, located at clinton and jackson streets. a year after the great chicago fire, the brown brothers installed two miles of sidewalk and/or vault lights throughout the city. the company later changed its name to the brown brothers mfg. company, where they became the ''sole manufacturers of hyatt's patent prismatic "cement" and "lead band" sidewalk lights and vault lights, floor lights, sky lights, and vessels' deck lights.'' the origins of illuminating large iron panels with the use of several solid glass rondels or "bullseye" lenses dates back to 1845, when new york city-based inventor thaddeus hyatt patented an illuminating "vault cover" for sealing off the openings above brick-lined building vaults that were located directly beneath city sidewalks. the perforated iron panels containing several closely spaced lenses allowed natural light to illuminate the vaults below during the day. multiple protruding knobs, (arranged in different configurations over the years) were designed to protect the convex-shaped glass lenses from excessive wear and tear. the illuminating covers would become hugely successful in major cities across the country well into the 20th century. measures 10 inches in diameter.

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