The San Francisco Gaslight Company
One of the most important of San Francisco's great institutions is the
San Francisco Gaslight Company, whose equipment, plant and utilities are the
largest of all the lighting companies west of the Missouri river. This company,
during the year, moved into its handsome property on Post street near Powell,
where its offices are now located. the manufacturing department is located at the foot of Laguna street, and having sufficient
water front and dock privileges to permit the largest vessels to lie at its
wharves. At that place also are the big petroleum tank and retort house located.
The company has really a double plant–
San Francisco News Letter Christmas Number, 1897
From Bill: At one time I had about 30 colored Gaslight ammonia's. At an early Mother Lode Bottle Show in Downieville, we displayed them in a cabinet at Rick and Cherry's home.
I can still remember Bill's incredible display during the Friday night get together at our house that year. What a stunning assortment of color! If anyone has a picture of that display please forward it along to me - rs
Aaron Hill and the late Terry Adams dug a privy in Grass Valley back in the 1990's that contained at least 10 different colored Gaslight ammonia's ranging from a light blue to a crazy pink looking example. I believe at a later date they were sold to Ken Stokes.
As you can see from the photos these ammonia's come in a big variety of colors and three or four different sizes and are a rare and important piece of western bottle history.
I sold off all my gaslights, only have 2 left, both were in holes I dug up North, 1 an aqua embossed quart and the other a slick amber quart with about 1 bazillion bubbles in it. I always have liked the odd ball colors in glass, the Gaslights make for some Awesome runs of color, if one can afford them anymore. DB
ReplyDeleteHas anyone seen any Advertising Trade Cards from this Company or for any of its Products? I always like that part of the Collecting Frenzy.DB
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