idea on value of Rare Radiators

salbuild_2

Thanks All! Great information. It's amazing how beautiful some of the old radiators were. Think I'm holding on to these for awhile. Great pics Mad Dog! Keep 'em coming!
SAL

salbuild_2

idea on value of rare radiators

I have a couple of rare steam radiators that I am trying to research BTU output, age and value. The picture attached shows the one I call a "solid plate type" in front then behind it you can see a little of the "flat top" one (For a butler's pantry?). Anyone want to guess their value if I was to sell them, or when they may have been made? I'm thinking that I may just keep them, hoping that someday I'll have a place to install them- 'cause they're beauties! I've done some research, but can't even figure out the BTU output. The plate one is made by A.A. Griffing? I have installed one of the plate types and it seems to have quite high output for its size. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks.

Unknown

WOW!

I have no idea as to their EDR or $ value but they are real beauties! Thanks for the viewing, I love the look of these old things, imagine if they could talk!!

Dave

salbuild_2

Radiator beauties


Thanks Dave for the oogling. Too bad there's not beauty in the systems like this anymore. That's why I'm thinking of holding onto them, for that "special" installation.

Unknown

salbuild

I don`t blame ya there, I have a few "oldies" too around my shop, but not like those. They really are treasures, and they need a home, not a scrap-heap! Strictly guessing here as I`m a Canadian, but I would think these are around the time of the Civil War era? I`m sure "Steamhead"(Frank), would know better! Take Care!

Dave

Steamhead (in transit)

Those are beauties!

The one in the front is one version of the "flue" radiator. Its rating should be close to the "Verona" which was made by American Radiator Co. You can find it in Dan's book "E.D.R". It probably dates to the late 1800s or very early 1900s.

The "flat-top" is actually a pipe radiator, so called because it was made from pieces of iron pipe screwed or pressed into a base. If it was made by Griffing, it's a "Bundy", if made by H.B.Smith Co. it's a "Reed", and if there's no name at all on it it's probably a Nason. You can find their ratings here:

http://www.heatinghelp.com/pdfs/92.pdf

Pipe radiators were first made in 1862, and the Nason was the first. We have a round Nason from 1863 or so at the shop.

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Mad Dog_2

They are awesome............they are worth

what you can get for them. I have more than a dozen in the barn that have sat for the last 5 years. I had more and occasionally we get someone who just has to have them and takes a few off our hands. The rest...we'll they take up alot of space.....and wait. The problem is....you need someone who really loves them, has the room, height of window et cetera, and rooms where the will not be so oversized due to insulation that didn't exist when these monsters of heat reigned. A-1 In Mass would probably pay no more than $50 per section and then turn around and sell them for $300 per - hey they gotta make $$$$$. Anyhow, it is usually not worth the lugging, hauling or shipping. Your best bet is finding an interested party - atleast in your own state. I will likely be auctioning off several of the larger ones we have for charity here this spring or summer....I'll be lucky if someone will take them for the shipping costs. These are some of the ones I installed in my house. The large one is an "A.A. Griffin" from 1874. Got it out of an historic home here on Long Island. The smaller ones I got at A-1 on my way to the first Wetstock with Murph and Mark Hunt. They cost me a small fortune. THe last one with the plaques on it are in the Historic 7Th Regiment Armory on 68th Street in Manhattan - now home to the Famous Fighting 69th. When I was with the State Guard we attended some very opulent affairs there - what a great place. It was built around 1870 and Cavalry used to train right on the huge drill shed floor. It was probably one of the first indoor arenas in America. The floor is open like 5-6 stories high. Mad Dog

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Mike T., Swampeast MO

Rad at the front appears to be of the "flue type". These were originally intended for direct/indirect operation. There would be a box below the rad with an opening to the outdoors and [frequently] a damper to regulate the proportion of outdoor/indoor air.

Presuming that the sections are 3" wide, consider 7 sq.ft EDR per section for 38"; 5 3/4 sq.ft for 32".

If 2 1/2" wide, consider 4 sq.ft. for 38"; 3 1/3 sq.ft. for 32".

The rad behind appears to be of the "wrought iron tube" variety. Quite old--from the earliest days of radiators. Count the number of tubes and that's your EDR rating. And no, not intended for specific use in a butler's pantry--it was just the style at the time. I believe these fell out of use by the 1880s or so as they were difficult to assemble and were replaced by the familiar "column" rads.

As to value: I can only say that they're worth what you can get. Steam only use will limit the market with regards to buyers.

john_27

well...let us know if you or maddog do an auction...at some price....i could use 2-3 in my house.....maybe you can do a tie in with Dan to help his son in law in boston....