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£295.00
Miller's Of London Reading Lamp Circa 1880

Product code #OA1657

- Worldwide shipping
- All prices inc VAT
- Brass shade with polished silver reflector
- Silver plated
- Shade turns to direct the light
- Takes B14 bulbs
- Made by Miller & Sons, Piccadilly, London
- English ~ 1880
- 40cm tall x 12cm wide x 18cm deep

Miller & Sons

Miller and sons were manufacturers of oil lamps with offices at 179 Piccadilly, London. They were registered as "Spermaceti-refiners, Wax Chandlers, Oil-merchants"

The company of Miller and Sons, based at 179 Picadilly was founded prior to 1835, possibly in the 1820s as a successor to F Glossop. George Alexander Miller who was involved in the business was awarded patent 6551 in 1834 for an improved arrangement of wicks in an Argand lamp. His brother, Taverner John Miller, a ship-owner and sperm-oil refiner and merchant who operated 'Messr T J Miller & Son' from a wharf on the Thames.

Both companies exhibited at The Great Exhibition of 1851 George Alexander Miller purchased the adjoining 178 Piccadilly in 1857. Horatio William Miller, who was associated with the business died in 1900 and the company moved from 179 Piccidilly in 1907–8. Their father, Charles Taverner Miller (1773–1830), a wax chandler from Middlesex was awarded patent 5896 in February 1830 for certain improves in the making and manufacturing of candles and has a memorial in St James's Church, Piccadilly.

A pair of lamps made by Miller and sons from 1835 were sold in 2007 in New York by Christie's for $10,000 and another pair from 1840 fetched $8,800 in 2000. A pair of their lamps are fitted to a horse-drawn fire engine from 1862 which is displayed in the Museum of London.

Condition Report

Converted to electric and takes 1 x e14 bulb, new gold twist cable, inline switch and black bakelite plug.

As with all of our products this product is an original piece and has lived a life before it arrived at Otto's HQ. It has been sympathetically restored by the Otto's team to ensure it has a life for many more years to come. All of our products will show signs of patina and cosmetic wear, this we believe is what gives our products their unique charm. If you have any further questions regarding the condition of this product or any others please don't hesitate to contact us and we'll be happy to answer any questions you may have.

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