Lighting New York, 1895-1946: Edward F. Caldwell & Company

The Cooper-Hewitt Library is celebrating the release of Shedding Light on New York: Edward F. Caldwell Collection, a new online database on Saturday, February 28th. Margaret Caldwell, great granddaughter of E. F. Caldwell, will also talk about the firm’s origins, craftsmanship, clients, and importance in the decorative arts world. Select original drawings and photographs from the Caldwell Archive will be on display.

Caldwell & Co. was America’s premier producer of lighting and other metal objects during the turn of the 20th century through the 1940s, and the archives are currently stored in the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum Library in New York City. Notable clients of Caldwell lighting fixtures included the Rockefellers, the Carnegies, and the Roosevelts, and the company was also commissioned for famous landmarks such as the Grand Central Terminal, Radio City Music Hall, and the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City.  Caldwell & Co. manufactured unique and intricate lighting fixtures in their Manhattan factory, such as chandeliers, electrified lamps and wall sconces, which were then shipped to prominent residences all over the United States.

The digitization of the Caldwell & Co. archives will bring unprecedented access of this vast collection to viewers around the world.  Prior to this project, researchers faced great challenges accessing the collection, due to the fragility of physical archives, their location in New York City, and the difficulty of searching through unidentified pieces in the collection.  The Smithsonian Institution Libraries anticipates this visual resource to aid a diverse population, including historians, restorers, antique dealers, appraisers, collectors, and designers.

Shedding Light on New York: Edward F. Caldwell Collection was supported in part by funds from the Metropolitan New York Library Council (METRO) through the New York State Regional Bibliographic Databases Program.—Liz O'Brien

Comments

[Sally R]

I own a lovely Caldwell chandelier that came from the house where I grew up. We had many Caldwell light fixtures and chandeliers throughout the house. I have all the original invoices and communication with Edward T. Caldwell from June 1928. I also have some pictures of the pieces installed. Is anyone interested in any of this?! I would like to find out the approximate value of the one chandelier I still own which is Caldwell # A53345.

[Joe Mackey]

I personally have owned a 10 unit Historical building in KC, MO which has been in 2 movies. But interestingly two of the units have Caldwell light fixtures. Always wondered about their origin. Thanks.

[Vanessa Stalets]

Spent a couple hours today looking through the Smithsonian and specifically Caldwell & Co. I can't stand modern art which seems so thin and lifeless - give me the great detail of those who sought to mirror life in its richness - Bravo!

[Windows 8]

If I am correct than Caldwell did all of the lighting for the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in the 19th century.I have a chandelier that was said to have been in the tea room and it has 1877 imprinted under one of the arms.

[juwelier utrecht]

Visiting Waldorf Astoria Hotel last summer opened my eyes to the wonderfull work of Edward F. Caldwell.

This gives me the oppertunity to explore his facsinating detailled
work

sorry for bad writing but english is not my first language.

Thank You