WW I PERKINS PERKO
USN Ships Bulkhead Oil Lamps
1916
Very Rare
Presented is a “pair of lamps that you are very unlikely to come across”, says Anthony Hobson in his Book Two of
“Lanterns That Lit Our World“. They are not only exceedingly rare and in outstanding condition, but also the most beautiful shipboard lamps we’ve had the opportunity to offer to our customers. They were made by Perkins Marine Lamp Corporation during the First and second World Wars as bulkhead lights for warships. We double-checked this with the successor company, PERKO in Miami, FL., and they advised
us that they are extremely rare and the only ones they know of in existence.
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Side and Back Views
DIMENSIONS: Not counting bail, 15 ¼” high with a diameter of 7 ½”.
The bail adds 1 ¾”
Weight one lamp 8 ½ lbs The pair 17 lbs
CONDITION:
These very unusual lights are in outstanding condition overall considering their age and use. There are only a couple of minor
dents and marks of age. The lenses are perfect. One of the original kerosene burners has its wick stuck in the guide and needs
some freeing. They have been polished and lacquered for dramatic display.
Interior Kerosene Lamp
The imprint on the plate at the bottom of the lamp on three lines
reads:
M’F’RD BY
PERKINS MARINE LAMP CORPRN
BROOKLYN – New York
This helps
date them to sometime after 1916 when Persky was first incorporated and before 1931 when the company’s name was changed to Perkins Marine Lamp & Hardware Corporation.
PERKINS’ BRIEF HISTORY:
Starting in1904, Perko made all kinds of lights
under their original name, “Persky”.In 1916, they incorporated under the name Perkins Marine Lamp Corporation
in Brooklyn, NY. This same year the PERKO trademark was adopted. In 1931 the name was changed to Perkins Marine Lamp &
Hardware Corporation. In 1961, the Brooklyn facilities were closed and operations were moved to Miami, FL. Perkins was dropped
from the name and the company became known as PERKO Inc. It was in 1916 that the Perko trademark was registered, and it has
been used ever since. The company still makes high-quality marine lights and hardware out of its Miami, FL facilities.
