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Rococo Dining Room Radiator Install- Why Are These So Rare?

dardo
dardo Member Posts: 13
edited January 12 in THE MAIN WALL

When I first saw one of these on a post years ago, I knew I had to have one. 10 years later, I finally found one I could afford. This was salvaged from a historic home in Iowa that had suffered major damage from frozen pipes and the new owner removed the boiler for a forced air system. The radiator was so revered by the previous owner that is was a key element listed in the application for the National Trust for Historic Preservation nomination (which the property was accepted in the 1980's). A friend in Illinois saw the listing for the radiator on Marketplace- I quickly responded to the ad and the next day packed up for a 10 hour drive from Ohio to Iowa. It was a bit of a gamble, knowing it could have been cracked during the freeze but I figured it could be repaired and these are rare enough that even as a decorative piece was worth the $500 price tag. The greater risk was verifying my wife's suspicion that she had married a nutcase who drove 20 hours for an old radiator that may be in pieces. After unveiling the "piece of junk" when I returned it was immediately elevated to the most beautiful thing she had ever seen and my mental status was equally restored. It was in near perfect condition lacking only one shelf. The pressure test showed no leaks giving the green light to install in our historic home. We added this and another Rococco Radiator to a space that had been heated by an ugly hanging heater for the past 50 years. Does anybody know if the archives to the American Radiator Company exist? The 1897 and 1927 catalog that were thoughtfully posted on this site years ago shows a picture of a similar if not identical radiator. It appears they simply added a cabinet to their "window radiator" which is also shown in the catalog. I would love to know how many of these were produced and why every dining room in America didn't have one? They are such a beautiful and equally functional radiator. Although not installed in our dining room because of space issues, it also works well as a hat and sock warmer on these cold days.

IMG_1995[1].JPG IMG_E1993[1].JPG IMG_1997[1].JPG IMG_0721[1].JPG IMG_0732[1].JPG IMG_1996[1].JPG
MilanD

Comments

  • jesmed1
    jesmed1 Member Posts: 1,246
    edited January 12

    "After unveiling the "piece of junk" when I returned it was immediately elevated to the most beautiful thing she had ever seen and my mental status was equally restored. "

    LOL…that radiator is fabulous. I assume the compartment with shelves is for keeping food and plates warm? I've never seen one of those.

  • dardo
    dardo Member Posts: 13

    Exactly- it was used to keep food warm. What a great idea….. I wish we could have used it for its intended purpose but, space just didn't allow it.

    MilanD
  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 25,966

    Well worth the drive! I'm jealous…

    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
    PC7060MilanD
  • Mad Dog_2
    Mad Dog_2 Member Posts: 8,061

    Easy...just look at them...True Beauty is RARE. I'm sure the were expensive when they came out and a luxury item. You're only going to see them in a high end home.

    The next opportunity that presents itself, and If I have the extra cash, I'm grabbin one for MY dining room....whether it fits or not! Mad Dog

    Consulting by Mad Dog & Matt Jr.
    Long Beach EdMilanDreggi
  • jesmed1
    jesmed1 Member Posts: 1,246

    For a little price comparison, these guys are selling a similar restored dining room radiator with an electric heating element. 600 pounds, and $7,025. 😲

    https://ecoradinc.com/product/perfection-oven/

    Mad Dog_2MilanD
  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 24,976

    great score! That one and the circular have to be the most coveted.

    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream
    Mad Dog_2MilanD
  • Mad Dog_2
    Mad Dog_2 Member Posts: 8,061

    The Circular ones are huge and usually in museums and Armories with huge entrance halls. Mad Dog

    Consulting by Mad Dog & Matt Jr.
  • HeatingHelp.com
    HeatingHelp.com Member, Moderator, Administrator Posts: 143

    @dardo, beautiful find! Here's some info from American Radiator Company's circa-1908 The Ideal Fitter. You can find the full book here.

    Screen Shot 2025-01-12 at 4.06.09 PM.png

    And for fun, here are two other dining room radiators they also showcased in 1908:

    Screen Shot 2025-01-12 at 4.09.27 PM.png Screen Shot 2025-01-12 at 4.09.39 PM.png

    Forum Moderator

    PC7060mattmia2MilanD
  • TheUpNorthState88
    TheUpNorthState88 Member Posts: 70

    This is so cool! Thanks for including pictures on how you moved it. I want to replace my lone slant fin baseboard with a Rococo. They pop up all the time. I’m just wondering what’s the best way to move them. I would only need a 8 section one for the room in question, and that actually could fit up my stair case.

    Did you have a buddy with you?

    Lifelong Michigander

    -Willie

  • Mad Dog_2
    Mad Dog_2 Member Posts: 8,061

    You need an "appliance" hand truck (with strap). One very strong man or a guy who does it for a living. Two guys is safer. This is no joke. Any meat head can crudely move heavy stuff, but the finesse to not damage walls & wood steps is the key. Mad Dog

    Consulting by Mad Dog & Matt Jr.
    delcrossvGrallertMilanDMasterFixit
  • delcrossv
    delcrossv Member Posts: 2,139
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1838930#Comment_1838930

    Last time we brought a large (20 section) rad from the basement up to one of the apartments it was 4 big guys, two with lifting straps.

    Trying to squeeze the best out of a Weil-McLain JB-5 running a 1912 1 pipe system.
    Mad Dog_2
  • tim smith
    tim smith Member Posts: 2,858

    one of our clients found and purchased one a dozen or so years ago and we piped in for his dining room if memory serves me. They are a thing of beauty.

    MilanD
  • scott w.
    scott w. Member Posts: 218
    edited January 31

    Did you get to visit the house the radiator come out of? Being on the register of historic places, am assuming it may have been pretty special? That is a pretty special rad. I have to put my gloves and hat on the supply pipe in the basement to get them dry after shoveling in a snowstorm.

  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 12,546

    There's just a special section on either side of the box with a top tapping in the middle, the rest is just standard sections of 2 different height radiators.

  • MilanD
    MilanD Member Posts: 1,162
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1838930#Comment_1838930

    Piano Movers. These guys know how to do it gingerly… at least in Cincinnati.

    Mad Dog_2
  • Mad Dog_2
    Mad Dog_2 Member Posts: 8,061
    edited February 5

    Hippocratic & Boiler removal guys oath: "First, do no harm!"

    Easier said than done. I remember one of the first jobs as a Plumbing & Heating contractor was removing 23 large steam radiators from a huge 3 story house, cutting out all the steam pipes, new hot water boiler, 3 Zones of Baseboard, High Output and a 75 gallon gas water heater.

    I Took all the monsters out myself with my appliance handtruck (great strapping)…atleast the rads were all going DOWN the stairs, but it was hairy. "I'll do it for $10,000.00! " that sounded good..at the time. He said yes...immediately....Caution…Boiler, HWH & BB cost me like $8500.00 back then. The job took me about 2 weeks 14 hrs a day. Took a bath, but I was so happy to get a "Big" job like that...HO got some deal....Ha. Mad Dog

    Consulting by Mad Dog & Matt Jr.
    MilanDdelcrossvMasterFixit
  • MilanD
    MilanD Member Posts: 1,162
    edited February 5
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1840469#Comment_1840469

    Great story! One of my teachers in college used to say: "two kinds of people in the world: underpaid and overpaid" HAHA! I mean, if you're not doing it because it's fun, why do it at all, right?

    Mad Dog_2
  • Long Beach Ed
    Long Beach Ed Member Posts: 1,754
    edited April 2

    And another Dining Room Radiator finds a new home in Sea Cliff, Long Island. This one's a little guy at 55 sq. ft. Maybe 260 lbs.

    American Radiator Company Rococo Model 2, probably about 110 years old. Trimmed for hot water, it will be piped now for steam. Beautiful and skillful detail from sand casting.

    radiator.jpg radiator1.jpg radiator3.jpg radiator2.jpg
    HeatingHelp.com
  • ratio
    ratio Member Posts: 3,963

    If anyone wants to ship a few of those to Ohio, I'll happily accept them.

  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 17,753

    That same type of radiator, without the cabinet, was sold for placing around a window frame.

    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
    Mad Dog_2Long Beach EdHeatingHelp.commattmia2
  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 12,546
    edited April 2

    I was about to say that is a steam only radiator, but I see the 2 special middle sections with the upper connection in the middle. I don't see a tie rod but I also don't see how you'd screw the center left right nipples together. Do I see a plug buried in the middle of the special sections?

  • Long Beach Ed
    Long Beach Ed Member Posts: 1,754
    edited April 3
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1850778#Comment_1850778

    The tall "transition sections" have a plug facing outward. When the plug is removed, the left/right nipple connecting it to the small section can be accessed and tightened. Am I making sense? The whole thing assembles with left/right threaded nipples tightened with an internal wrench. @mattmia2

    The two transition sections also have only two columns, which promotes steam distribution between the small and tall sections.

    mattmia2
  • Mad Dog_2
    Mad Dog_2 Member Posts: 8,061

    Ed…don't give me the address in Sea Cliff...I may not be able to help myself & you'll read about on overnight radiator heist in Newsday…Mad Dog..

    Consulting by Mad Dog & Matt Jr.
    delcrossvPC7060
  • Mad Dog_2
    Mad Dog_2 Member Posts: 8,061

    Ed...how did you locate that one anyway? I'm on a mission now..Mad Dog

    Consulting by Mad Dog & Matt Jr.
    mattmia2
  • Long Beach Ed
    Long Beach Ed Member Posts: 1,754
    edited April 2
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1850831#Comment_1850831

    Facebook Marketplace. Cheaper than a month's bar tab.

    If I can carry it up the stairs, I'm sure you can get it down the stairs quietly under the cover of darkness. But give the paint a chance to dry.

    Mad Dog_2
  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 12,546

    I think the round one that someone couldn't give away is more unique.

  • Long Beach Ed
    Long Beach Ed Member Posts: 1,754
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1850841#Comment_1850841

    Found one of them pretty cheap years ago.

    RadiatorA.jpg
    mattmia2PC7060delcrossv
  • Mad Dog_2
    Mad Dog_2 Member Posts: 8,061

    Yes..Matt..perhaps...but I've seen many of those roundees in our NYS Armories...Ive yet to see the Turkey Warmer in the flesh...Gotta git me one..& put in me dining room. The other thing is the round ones need quite a bit of floor space. Mad Dog

    Consulting by Mad Dog & Matt Jr.
    mattmia2

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