Born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1851, Edward Frederick Caldwell trained as a portrait painter. By the 1880s he was working as a designer for gas lighting fabricator Archer & Pancoast Manufacturing Company of New York City. While there he met Stanford White of the architectural firm McKim, Mead, and White. Eventually, Caldwell would oversee major commissions by that firm including the New York State Building at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition, in Chicago, the Metropolitan Club of New York City, and the Boston Public Library. He advanced to serve as vice president and general manager of the company.
Likely at the encouragement of White, Caldwell and Victor F. von Lossberg founded E.F. Caldwell & Co. in 1895. As its president, Caldwell oversaw the challenge of adapting the new technology of electricity to lighting fixtures. The partners assembled a talented of designers and craftspeople to create a full array of lighting fixtures and decorative accessories.
Caldwell married Kate Gilchrist Burgess, daughter of a Maine shipping merchant, in 1880 and they had a son, Edward T. Caldwell. The success of the firm, together with his wife’s money, enabled the Caldwells to have a townhouse in Brooklyn, a country house in Larchmont, New York, and a yacht called the Kestrel. In 1914, at the age of 63, Edward F. Caldwell died from a cerebral embolism.
Born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1851, Edward Frederick Caldwell trained as a portrait painter. By the 1880s he was working as a designer for gas lighting fabricator Archer & Pancoast Manufacturing Company of New York City. While there he met Stanford White of the architectural firm McKim, Mead, and White. Eventually, Caldwell would oversee major commissions by that firm including the New York State Building at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition, in Chicago, the Metropolitan Club of New York City, and the Boston Public Library. He advanced to serve as vice president and general manager of the company.
Likely at the encouragement of White, Caldwell and Victor F. von Lossberg founded E.F. Caldwell & Co. in 1895. As its president, Caldwell oversaw the challenge of adapting the new technology of electricity to lighting fixtures. The partners assembled a talented of designers and craftspeople to create a full array of lighting fixtures and decorative accessories.
Caldwell married Kate Gilchrist Burgess, daughter of a Maine shipping merchant, in 1880 and they had a son, Edward T. Caldwell. The success of the firm, together with his wife’s money, enabled the Caldwells to have a townhouse in Brooklyn, a country house in Larchmont, New York, and a yacht called the Kestrel. In 1914, at the age of 63, Edward F. Caldwell died from a cerebral embolism.
1863
VICTOR F. VON LOSSBERG
Born in Latvia (then a province of Russia) in 1863 to a minor noble family, Victor Francis von Lossberg immigrated to the United States in 1882. He studied at the Ecole des Arts et Metiers in Paris and by the late 1880s, Von Lossberg was working with Caldwell at Archer & Pancoast Manufacturing Company, as a designer.
As co-founder of Edward F. Caldwell & Co., Von Lossberg became the chief designer of the firm. Following Caldwell’s death in 1914, and under the terms of his will, Von Lossberg assumed the role of president. A former employee described Von Lossberg as a stickler for detail and if he didn’t approve of a design, he would order it to the “trash can.” Once a year, usually in May or June, he would travel to Europe in search of items that could be used as inspiration for new designs. He usually returned with lamps, enamelware, and items made of semi-precious stones from places like Germany, France, and England. He especially liked Czechoslovakian glass.
Von Lossberg lived with his wife Bernhardine Enders at 153 West 12th Street in New York City. Together they had a daughter Gretchen and he became a naturalized citizen in 1892. He retired from the company in 1938 and died four years later.
Born in Latvia (then a province of Russia) in 1863 to a minor noble family, Victor Francis von Lossberg immigrated to the United States in 1882. He studied at the Ecole des Arts et Metiers in Paris and by the late 1880s, Von Lossberg was working with Caldwell at Archer & Pancoast Manufacturing Company, as a designer.
As co-founder of Edward F. Caldwell & Co., Von Lossberg became the chief designer of the firm. Following Caldwell’s death in 1914, and under the terms of his will, Von Lossberg assumed the role of president. A former employee described Von Lossberg as a stickler for detail and if he didn’t approve of a design, he would order it to the “trash can.” Once a year, usually in May or June, he would travel to Europe in search of items that could be used as inspiration for new designs. He usually returned with lamps, enamelware, and items made of semi-precious stones from places like Germany, France, and England. He especially liked Czechoslovakian glass.
Von Lossberg lived with his wife Bernhardine Enders at 153 West 12th Street in New York City. Together they had a daughter Gretchen and he became a naturalized citizen in 1892. He retired from the company in 1938 and died four years later.
1879
THOMAS EDISON AND JOSEPH WILSON SWAN INVENT THE INCANDESCENT LIGHTBULB.
THOMAS EDISON, CIRCA 1918 Photo National Archives
JOSEPH WILSON SWAN, CIRCA 1910 Photo Wikimedia Commons
EDWARD F. CALDWELL AND CO. FOUNDED AT 31 EAST 17TH STREET, NEW YORK CITY
1901
MOVE TO 36-40 WEST 15TH STREET
Edward F. Caldwell & Co. occupied these three buildings, designed by McKim, Mead & White, from 1901 until 1940. By the time this photo was taken the firm had moved to 57th Street.
If you look closely behind the delivery truck, Caldwell Building 36 can be seen on the door transom.
Edward F. Caldwell & Co. occupied these three buildings, designed by McKim, Mead & White, from 1901 until 1940. By the time this photo was taken the firm had moved to 57th Street.
If you look closely behind the delivery truck, Caldwell Building 36 can be seen on the door transom.
1901
SWITCH FOR ELECTRIC LAMPS
Between 1899 and 1936, Edward F. Caldwell & Co. obtained ten patents for special switches, fixture supports, shades, and designs. This 1901 patent shows the cross-section of a special switch (Figs 4, 6, 7) placed inside the candle cup (N). When the candle cup is turned, the switch inside rotates and turns the light bulb on. Another turn switches the bulb off.
UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Photo Courtesy of Google Patents
Between 1899 and 1936, Edward F. Caldwell & Co. obtained ten patents for special switches, fixture supports, shades, and designs. This 1901 patent shows the cross-section of a special switch (Figs 4, 6, 7) placed inside the candle cup (N). When the candle cup is turned, the switch inside rotates and turns the light bulb on. Another turn switches the bulb off.
UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Photo Courtesy of Google Patents
1902
E. F. CALDWELL & CO. COMPLETE LIGHTING WORK FOR WHITE HOUSE
NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY MAIN BRANCH OPENS WITH LIGHTING AND OTHER HARDWARE DESIGNED BY E. F. CALDWELL & CO.
1928
AWARDS PLAQUE
This awards plaque hung in the Edward F. Caldwell & Co. offices. Awarded to the firm for mastery in craftsmanship and the blending of traditional and machine manufacturing processes.
AWARDS PLAQUE Architectural League of New York New York, New York, 1928 Stained and Gilded Wood, Glass, Bronze, Parchment Loan Courtesy of the Caldwell Family
This awards plaque hung in the Edward F. Caldwell & Co. offices. Awarded to the firm for mastery in craftsmanship and the blending of traditional and machine manufacturing processes.
AWARDS PLAQUE Architectural League of New York New York, New York, 1928 Stained and Gilded Wood, Glass, Bronze, Parchment Loan Courtesy of the Caldwell Family
1932
E. F. CALDWELL & CO. COMPLETE LIGHTING WORK FOR RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL.
PHOTO COURTESY LIBRARY OF CONGRESS HISTORIC American Building Survey
