Top Draft Lantern Appraisal

Adlake Non-Sweating Switch Signal Top-Draft Railroad Lantern

This is a vintage industrial-grade Adlake Non-Sweating switch signal lamp, manufactured in Chicago. The lantern features a heavy-duty cylindrical steel body finished in a darkened, possibly japanned or black painted surface. It is equipped with four large Fresnel-style glass lenses; the visible lenses display a striking deep cobalt blue and amber/orange hue, designed to signal track conditions to railway engineers. The top of the unit features a distinctive square ventilation chimney with embossed lettering that reads 'ADLAKE NON-SWEATING LAMP CHICAGO,' a hallmark of the Adams & Westlake Company's engineering designed to prevent condensation (sweating) from obscuring the light source. The construction is robust, featuring heavy-gauge metal and a wire bail handle for carrying. The item shows signs of authentic use, including surface dust, mild oxidation on the metal edges, and a gentle patina consistent with mid-20th-century age (likely circa 1920s-1950s). The glass lenses appear intact without major visible cracks, though fine pitting or minor surface scratches may be present upon closer inspection. The internal font and burner assembly, typically found inside, are not visible but the structural integrity of the outer casing appears excellent, maintaining high levels of industrial craftsmanship characteristic of early American railroadiana.