The matter of identifying makers is evident in these objects made partially of brass with additional parts of iron. All of them were made by Peter Derr in the mid first half of the nineteenth century. The Betty Lamp and the dough scraper are stamped with his name or initials, and the year they were made. The tall lamp in the center is attributed to him because similar signed examples are known to exist. Courtesy Dr. George Scott. Betty Lamps were often finished in bright metal and are usually considered to be the product of the whitesmith. They were more noted for their smoke than their light; however they were important objects of iron and no colonial setting seems complete without one. p. 64-65, "Early American Ironware" Henry J. Kauffman, 1966.
Betty Lamps made by Peter Derr of Berks County, Pennsylvania in the first half of the nineteenth century. The portion hiding the oil was made of brass, the remaining parts of iron. Courtesy Pennsylvania State Museum
Provenance
Photographs from the estate of Henry Kauffman. Notice: This photograph for reproduction purposes only. Under each reproduction the following credit line is requested "Photo by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania."
From page 82, "Early American Ironware" - Standing swing fluid lamp, iron Stand, Brass Cup and Chain, Marked "P.D". on one side of bracket and "1843" on the other. The "P.D." stands for Peter Derr of Reading, Pennsylvania, who was a prolific lamp maker in the mid-19th century.
Note from the back of the photograph: Peter Derr, Berks County, height 10". Cat. # N630, November 1961. Courtesy Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Provenance
Photographs from the estate of Henry Kauffman. This photograph for reproduction purposes only. Under each reproduction the following credit line is requested: "Photo by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania."
