Chandeliers, Gas Fixtures,
MANUFACTURED BY
MITCHELL, VANCE & CO.,
No. 5 97 BROADWAY, NEW YORK
The prayer of Ajax was for light;
Through all that dark and desperate fight, The blackness of that noon-day night,
He asked but the return of sight,
To see his foeman’s face.”
Light is the friend of man. Darkness is his foe. Artificial illumination engages the best scientific and mechanical skill of our time. It is not too much to say that it is an essential part of our civilization.
Rude and simple as were the lights used by the ancients, they displayed great skill in the design and manufacture of metal lamps and vessels for holding oil.
The public use of gas for illumination has hardly seen its semi-centennial. It was introduced in London in 1814; Paris, 1820; Boston, 1822 ; New York, 1827; Philadelphia, 1835. Its use, however, seems to have gone forward hand in hand with those scientific discoveries and mechanical inventions which have marked the general progress of the last half century. Its great advantages over other means of illumination seem to have given both stimulus and reward to mechanical and artistic skill. Few branches of industry have accomplished more to make their specialties complete in arrangement and perfect in principle and utility. It may be added, few, if any, more decidedly affect the comforts, conveniences and pleasures of society.
The great importance of public and domestic illumination properly demands Gas Fixtures and appliances, useful and complete in character and ornamental in effect. Occupying as they do the most conspicuous and prominent position in public buildings, the highest artistic talent finds suitable opportunity for the display of its best skill in their production.
Mechanical ingenuity of the highest order is also demanded for the construction of fixtures required to keep under safe control so subtle, and, possibly, so mischievous an agent as illuminating gas.
Styles Sc Cash, Steam Printers, 8th Ave. 8c 14th St., N. Y.
In order fully to meet those requirements, both artistic and mechanical, Mitchell, Vance & Co. have for years, in the most painstaking and conscientious manner, devoted their best skill and ability.
In the extent and completeness of their works, in the numbers and varied talents of their artists and workmen, they are without superiors in this or any other country. They unquestionably stand in the front ranks of those who have labored successfully to^elevate the standard of their business.
In full appreciation of the growing refinement and delicacy of taste everywhere exhibited, they have sought to merit their share of the encouragement and patronage which wealth and culture are extending to all branches of artistic industry.
They first organized in the year 1854, under the corporate laws of Connecticut, as Mitchell, Bailey & Co., the late John S. Mitchell being at the head of the organization. In the year 1860, Samuel B. H. Vance having been connected with the business from the beginning, the new copartnership firm of Mitchell, Vance & Co. was formed. In 1873 this copartnership was dissolved, and a corporation under the laws of New York was organized.
Upon the death of John S. Mitchell, (February 1st, 1875,) Charles Benedict was made President; Samuel B. II. Vance, Vice-President; Edgar M. Smith, Secretary and Treasurer. Trustees: Charles Benedict, Edward A. Mitchell, Samuel B. H. Vance, Dennis C. Wilcox and Edgar M. Smith. The reputation of these gentlemen for business ability and integrity is a guarantee that the interests entrusted to their charge will not suffer from inattention to details, or from want of sagacity in management.
Besides Gas Fixtures, Clocks and Bronzes, Mitchell, Vance & Co. manufacture in the best spirit and style of workmanship all objects of Decorative Art, in metal, necessary for the furniture or embellishment of Churches, Public and Private Buildings.
Artists, native and foreign, are constantly employed in designing and modeling subjects to be produced in both Real and Imitation Bronze.
At two successive exhibitions of the American Institute this firm was awarded the highest medals for Crystal and Metal Gas Fixtures, and the same award was made for Fine Bronzes and Fine Metal and Marble Clocks.
The Warerooms of Mitchell, Vance & Co. are situated at No. 597 Broadway, extending to 170 Mercer Street, comprising seven stories, each 25 x 200 feet, and are used solely for the display and sale of the articles of then own manufacture, where everything pertaining to the various branches of their business may be seen in endless variety of design and excellence of finish.
I he engraving on the outside page represents their extensive Factories and Foundry situated on Twenty-fourth and Twenty-fifth Streets and Tenth Avenue, New York City.We quote from Appletons’ Art Journal of August, 1875, its description of an elegant Chandelier, kindly-illustrated under the head of American Art Manufactures :
“ We engrave, as the second of the series of illustrations of American Art manufactures, an original design of a gas chandelier, executed by Messrs. Mitchell, Vance & Co., for the main entrance of the new building of the Western Union Telegraph Company, recently erected in this city. The style represents the early Greek form of ornamentation, and is highly creditable to the house by which it was produced. The main stem consists of a tapering pedestal ornamented with female figures in low relief, supporting a gracefully designed Greek vase, garlanded with laurel-wreaths.—
From the top of the vase the stem is richly ornamented and is crowned with a canopy formed by a succession of lions’
heads in high-relief, holding gilt curb-rings in their jaws. Surrounding the stem are four fluted columns resting upon ornamental bases. These columns have richly-foliated capitals, and support a dome-like structure, upon which are perched a series of flying nondescript animals. Between the columns are four griffins, and from the pedestals which support them and the bases of the columns spring the several arms. The burners represent antique lamps, and are ornamented with shades in harmony with the general design. The chandelier is massive in appearance, but graceful withal, and is finished in the style known as verd-antique, and relieved at prominent points by judicious gilding. It has eight lights, and is one of the most elaborate designs of the kind ever executed in this country. The drawings were made by Mr. Charles C. Perring, chief designer for the company.”
The above cut represents a seven-light Slide Library Chandelier, in the Nco Grec siyle. The central band has its panels richly ornamented in bas-relief, and the medallions surrounding the upper band represent Music, Poetry and History. The centre light, carrying an Argand burner, is so constructed as to slide down very near to the reading table. Finished in Bronze, Gilt and Verde Antique, it forms a very appropriate chandelier for a handsome Library. With medallions representing game, birds and fish, it becomes suitable for the Dining room.
Library and Dining room chandeliers of special designs to match rich and elegant furniture, as well as those of medium price and plain and simple styles, are specialties with us.
For the Reception Room, Chandeliers in Gold, relieved with a little color—as jet, crimson, or blue, are deemed desirable. They should not be too heavy, but rather light and graceful in design. The accompanying cut represents one of this character. F'or a large Drawing Room the same design may be carried out in a twelve-light chandelier, or may be for other rooms, in a chandelier with a centre slide. Hall Pendants and Brackets may be made to match. Especial attention is given to the production of chandeliers in various styles and finish, adapted to Reception rooms, small Libraries, Sitting and Sewing rooms, &c., &c.The cut below represents a truly American subject. The figure was specially designed and executed for a Newell Standard, with cluster of lights, for one of the most elegant and costly dwellings in this country.
PATENT DOUBLE SLIDE CENTRE LIGHT CHANDELIER, CLOSED.
The great advantage of having a centre light in an ordinary Chandelier, to draw down near to the reading table, and then to slide back to its proper place when not in use, is quite apparent to all. To construct one so as to realize all the advantages and overcome all the difficulties, is a thing not easy to do. The above cuts represent, both closed and extended, the centre slide we confidently represent as the best yet offered to the public. Several years' experience with them satisfies us of their superiority over all others.
Some points of excellence may be stated .—Length of slide ; strength in the double rods; freedom from heat and smoke and their effects in soiling the Chandelier; simplicity in attaching and operating the balancing weights;—no hidden springs or cords to break or get out of order; the ease with which the gas may be shut off, and the slide taken out, should it ever become necessary, while the Chandelier itself may remain in use.
Several thousands of these are now in use in Dwellings, Hotels, &c., and we have never had the first complaint from those using them.
This slide in Chandeliers of almost every style and size, adapted to Sitting and Sewing Rooms, Libraries, Dining Rooms, Parlors, &c., &c.
Extract from the Judges’ Report, in Department II., Group 1, at the Forty-first Exhibition of the American Institute, held in the City of New York.
No. 719. GAS FIXTURES.
“ Mitchell, Vance & Co., 597 Broadway, N. Y.:
“We find the above-mentioned Fixtures and Glass Chandeliers, for design, excellence of workmanship and finish in all their parts, to be the best production in the country, and we may say, in our judgment, excelled by no other country in the world
THE SAME, WITH CENTRE LIGHT EXTENDED.CRYSTAL GLASS CHANDELIERS, BRACKETS, PENDANTS, STANDARDS, &C.
FORTIETH EXHIBITION OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE.
JUDGES’ REPORT.
“The Glass Chandeliers are equal, if not superior to the celebrated Osier manufacture (English), which have been heretofore acknowledged the best in the world. The Glass is of unusual whiteness. They rank
METAL GAS FIXTURES, in Gilt or Silver, decorated with Crystal Glass, are very much admired and are very suitable for many rooms.
These we produce in great variety of styles and beauty of finish, ranging in size from the smallest Toilet Chandelier to those suitable for the largest Halls. In this line of goods are embraced Chandeliers, Brackets, Standards, Hall Pendants, Pillar Lights, &c., &c.
Also, FOUNTAINS in Silver and Glass of various designs and sizes.

GLASS CHANDELIERS, Exhibited by MITCHELL, VANCE & CO.
CRYSTAL GLASS CHANDELIERS are a new branch of American manufactures. Our country, however, is not without honor and distinction for the purity and excellence of its Crystal Glass. By the employment of the highest artistic and mechanical skill, we are enabled to compete with the best productions of Europe.
Our Glass is of unsurpassed purity, and the designs are peculiarly adapted to our styles of dwellings, and range from neat and simple patterns to those of most elegant and elaborate character.
Special Designs for Gas Fixtures produced under the direction of skillful and experienced Artists, furnished to Architects or those interested in furnishing Churches. Also, Metal Work designed and executed of Ornamental Railings for Churches, Banks, Offices, Stairs, &x., &c.
In the production of Gas Fixtures, together with Metal Furniture and Fittings for Churches, Chapels, &c., while consulting the best Mediaeval models, expedient modifications are adopted to insure the combination of good taste and practical utility with correct Art.
Highest Premium and Medal for Gas Fixtures, awarded by A meric an Institute Exhibition, 1874.
report of Judges.
568.—Gas Fixtures. Mitchell, Vance & Co.
“ The Gas Fixtures made by this firm are first-class in every respect, and we are satisfied that the workmanship on the same is second to none in this country. We respectfully recommend a high award.”
Among the various styles of Gas Fixtures and Metal Furniture for Churches, executed in all appropriate styles and colors, may be enumerated Coronas, Standards, Pendants, Brackets, Candlesticks, Crucifixes, Circle Brackets, Monstrances, Sanctuary Lamps, Lecterns, Altar Rails, Benediction Brackets, &c.
ECCLESIASTICAL GAS FIXTURES AND METAL WORK.AMERICAN INSTITUTE EXHIBITION, 1874.
Judge's REPORT.
570.—Clocks and Bronzes. Mitchell, Vance & Co.
“Clocks and Bronzes exhibited by Mitchell, Vance & Co., are in our judgment exceedingly beautiful in design and finish—equal to any known to us.
We class them No. 1.”
FiNE Bronze and Marble Clocks, Bronze Ornaments to Match.
Our Assortment of BRONZES consists in part of—
Statuettes, in great variety of design and size. Large Figures for Newells and Standards. Busts, Groups of Figures, Horses, Birds, Dogs, Vases, Pitchers, Coups, Candela-bras, Candlesticks, Flower-Holders, Card-Stands, Match-Boxes, Inkstands, Game Pieces, Ornaments for Furniture, &c., &c.
Our country is richer in beautiful Marbles than any other. These we work into Clock cases of great variety and beauty of finish.
CLOCK (18 Day) MOVEMENTS
are warranted best time-keepers; are much superior to the ordinary imported Clocks ; have a low tick and pleasant strike, and are equal to any produced.
MARBLE CLOCKS,
Equalling in every respect the finest French productions.
This is a new branch of manufacture in this country, but by the employment of the highest artistic and me ehanu al skill, we are enabled to compete with the best productions of Europe. We invite the attention of buy ers of the finest goods in this line to these Clocks, with sets of Marble and Bronze Ornaments to match, and appropriate Real Bronze Groups and Figures.
Attention is respectfully invited to the statement, that both Bronze and Marble Clock cases are produced by us equal in variety and excellence of design and finish to any produced elsewhere.
METAL CASES
are finished in Gold, Bronze, Verde Antique, and any desirable color.
MARBLE CASESin the City of New York.
THE PILLARS FOR THE TEMPLE.
“ Two magnificent bronze pillars were placed in position yesterday at the Twenty-third Street entrance of the new Masonic Temple, on Sixth Avenue. The new pillars, which have been manufactured at the factory of Mitchell, Vance & Co., Twenty-fourth Street and Tenth Avenue, stand fourteen feet high, exclusive of the ashlars of polished Scotch granite, which are about three and a half feet. They weigh over 3,000 pounds each, and are cast of superior bronze alloy—eighty-eight parts of copper, ten of tin, and two of other metals. The pillars, which stand in front of the Doric granite columns at the entrance, are of the Egyptian style of architecture. The plinth, which is thirty-two inches square, is surmounted by a cushion, from which springs the shaft, twenty-seven inches at its greatest diameter. The lower portion of the shaft is beautifully ornamented with lotus flowers, semi-incised. The upper portion, which is reeded, supports the cap, in the form of an inverted bell, decorated with pomegranates in high relief and papyrus leaves. The basket above the cap is in imitation of wicker-work, ornamented with the flowers and buds of the lotus lily. Each shaft is surmounted by a globe, that on the west the celestial, displaying the signs of the zodiac, that on the east the terrestrial, representing a map of the world, the land being semi-incised. The pillars are said to be, in point of design, workmanship, and finish, among the finest specimens of bronzes in the country, and attracted considerable attention while in course of erection yesterday. Messrs. Mitchell, Vance & Co. have also completed the brazen gas fittings for the different lodge-rooms in the Temple from their own designs. They are suited to the Corinthian, Egyptian, Gothic, Doric, Tuscan, Ionic, and Moresque styles of architecture, to match the architecture of the different lodges.”
It is impossible in this place to give any adequate description of the Gas Fixtures put into the various Lodges and Rooms of this truly magnificent Temple. It may suffice to say, that probably there is no building in this country equal to it in elaborate detail of construction, elegance of design, and rich, harmonious decoration.
Prominent as Gas Fixtures are in ornamentation and utility in every public building, no resources of art or skill were omitted in their adaptation to the practical lighting and adornment of the building destined to be the home and temple of the Ancient and Honorable Order of Masons in the State of New York. Accordingly, all chief sources of art were consulted and brought into service in the production of the Gas Fixtures, in harmony with the elegance of the Temple itself. Mitchell, Vance & Co. feel that their success in this case, so universally conceded by all, was the appropriate result of long and careful study and experience in the matter of lighting Public Halls and the decoration of Fixtures for Masonic Lodges.
We quote from the New York Times its notices of the sphinxes and Pillars of the Temple.
“ The ornamentation of the main staircase, leading from Twenty-third Street, was completed yesterday by the placing in position of two elegant winged sphinxes, which rest on marble pedestals on each side of the lower landing, just within the main door. They are of bronze, the same material of which the outside pillars are composed, and were designed and executed by Mitchell, Vance & Co. They arc said to be the finest specimens of that kind of work ever executed in this country. The style is pure Egyptian, and great care has been taken to make every detail correspond in the most artistic manner. The sphinxes were greatly admired by the visitors to the Temple. The decorations of the building and the Grand Lodge Room are complete, and everything is in readiness for the dedicatory services to-day.”
SPHINXES AND pillars OF THE MASONIC TEMPLE,Mitchell, Vance & Co. respectfully offer to their friends and patrons this Illustrated Manual. In it they present some examples of the articles they manufacture, and in a few paragraphs set forth some facts pertinent to their business and history.
We confidently represent that we are able to manufacture, in the best spirit of design, and in the finest style of workmanship, Gas Fixtures in all their varied styles, fine Clocks and Bronzes, as well as all objects of Decorative Art in Metal necessary for the furniture or embellishment of Public and Private Buildings. By careful study and appreciation of the growing refinement and delicacy of taste everywhere exhibited, we endeavor to merit the encouragement and patronage which wealth and cultivation are extending to these branches of Artistic Industry.
It is our feeling that Decorative Art ought to have the effect of elevating public taste. Certainly it is required to please people who are becoming more educated and critical. Hence the importance of embodying in works of Decorativfe Art only the very best spirit of the past, while models in Architecture and Decoration should be accepted on no other ground than their intrinsic excellence.
This Manual, designed for distribution at the Centennial Exhibition, may serve to call attention to the leading features of our business, and give some idea of the variety and styles of goods we manufacture, but it will afford us great pleasure to have all who desire to do so call upon us and examine, in our Warerooms, our display of Crystal, Gold, Gilt, Bronze, and Decorated Gas Fixtures, of every variety and pattern, Bronze and Marble Clocks, and Bronze Ornaments, and everything pertaining to the Trade.
No. 597 Broadway, (Rear Entrance, 170 Mercer Street,) New York.
MANUFACTORY :
24th & 25th Streets and Tenth Avenue, new YORK CITY.
We do not deem it necessary to refer to any of the numerous elegant Private Dwellings in the City of New York, and throughout all the cities of the country we have supplied with Gas Fixtures, but would respectfully invite attention to the following Hotels, Public Halls, Churches, &c., (a few among very many others) as furnishing examples of styles and character of Gas Fixtures and Metal Work specially designed and manufactured by us.
Masonic Temple..  ......................................N. Y. City.
Western Union Telegraph Building........................ do.
Coal and Iron Exchange (Del. & Hudson Canal Co.j........ do.
Tribune Building........................................................................................................................ do-
Equitable	Life Assurance Company...........................Boston.
New State House....................................Springfield,	Ills.
City and County Court House..........................Buffalo,	N. Y.
Clearing House Association	N-	Y- City.
Memorial Hall.....................................Cambridge,	Mass.
City Hall..................................................Boston.
Booth's Theatre.........................................**. Y. City.
Grand Opera House....................................... do.
Park Theatre............................................ do.
Lyceum Theatre...................................................................................... do.
Eagle Theatre........................................... do.
San Francisco Minstrel Opera House.................................................................. do.
Whitney’s Opera	House.................................Detroit.
Fall River Opera House..................................Fall River.
Wade's Opera House................................  San	Francisco.
Baldwin’s Theatre....................................... do.
Glenham	Hotel.................. ...................Y- City.
Hotel Royal............................................. do>
Buckingham Hotel.....................................  N.	Y.	City.
Windsor Hotel............................................ do.
Astor House (New)......................................   do.
Grand Hotel.............................................  do.
Gilsey Hotel............................................. do.
Grand Central Hotel...................................... do.
Westminster Hotel........................................ do.
St. Dennis Hotel........................................  do.
Rossmore Hotel..........................................  do.
Grand Union Hotel........................................ do.
United States Hotel..............................Saratoga, N. Y.
Grand Pacific Hotel	Chicago,	Ills.
Palmer Hotel............................................. do.
Lindel Hotel.....................................St. Louis, Mo.
Galt House........................................Louisville,	Ky.
Winchester House......................................N.	Y.	City.
Highland Park Hotel................v.....................Baltimore.
Manhansett House.................................Shelter Island.
Smith’s Female College........................Northampton,	Mass.
Charlier Institute....................................N.	Y.	City.
Wheeler & Wilson,	Union	Square............ do.
Scribner, Armstrong	&	Co.,	Broadway........... do.
Lord & Taylor..........................................   do.
Church of the Holy Trinity.....................,........N.	Y. City.
Collegiate Church, Sth Avenue.......................... do.
St. Thomas Church, Sth Avenue.......................... do.
St. Patrick’s Cathedral.................................... do.
Temple Emanuel, Sth Avenue............................. do.
Christ Church, Sth Avenue.............................. do.
Rutger’s Presbyterian Church........................... do.
Bethel, Lexington Avenue................................... do.
Church of the Puritans..................................... do.
Washington Heights Church.............................. do.
St. Paul’s Church...................................... do.
Church of Our Saviour.................................. do.
St. Bernard Church..................................... do.
Trinity Chapel......................................... do.
Broadway Tabernacle...’,............................... do.
Shaarai Tephila, 44th Street........................... do.
Brattle Square Church...................................... Boston.
Central Congregational Church....................Fall	River,	Mass.
Central Presbyterian Church...............................Brooklyn.
Universalist Church....................................Lynn,	Mass.
Shady Side Presbyterian Church	Pittsburgh,	Pa.
St. Mary’s Church	New	Haven,	Conn.
Trinity Church................................... do.	do.
St. Mary Star of the Sea.......................New	London,	do.