National Radiator Company model ID and date

anniebaylis

Hi, I'm looking for a name and date for this National Radiator Company radiator. I wonder if it's a 'plain' version of the Solus, but I've not found any reference to it in a catalogue so far.
Any pointers much appreciated, thank you,

Annie

random12345

That would be my guess. Solus plain. Are you just interested in the history or installing a new boiler? The plain versions are usually listed in all the catalogues I've seen. I'm not seeing it in a 1903 catalogue:

https://archive.org/details/NationalRadiatorCo/page/n5/mode/2up

Not seeing it in a 1920 catalogue either:

https://archive.org/details/NationalBoilersRadiatorsAndSpecialtiesCatalogNo.26/page/n35/mode/2up

So that's the approximate date range. It could be that they made a plain Solus in 1903 or before, but seems unlikely. According to Wikipedia, National Radiator Company was established in 1902. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Radiator_Company_(USA). Renamed National Radiator Corporation in 1927. If you're serious about knowing the date, I highly recommend contacting the Smithsonian and submitting a research request. The email address is NMAHLibrary@si.edu. Be sure to reference this collection:

https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/search/object/SILNMAHTL_33015

Another collection that looks less promising:
https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/search/object/NMAH.AC.0060.S01.01.Stoves_ref1809

There are volunteers working at the library who will be able to help you. Let them know you are looking for National Radiator Company trade catalogues that include Solus radiators. Date range 1902-1920. If they have it, they'll send you a scanned pdf. Please let me know what you find out.

random12345

Found a couple more at Columbia:

https://clio.columbia.edu/catalog/431949

https://clio.columbia.edu/catalog/545816

Not sure if they would be willing to help you though.

anniebaylis

Amazing pro tip, thank you, I didn't know you could request materials like that.
I will put in a research request and report back.

Thanks again.