Skip to main content

General Gas Light Company Pamphlet

 Collection
Identifier: RH-A-3936

Scope and Contents

This collection is composed of a pamphlet as an advertisement from the General Gas Light Company located in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Published in 1928, it promoted their Humphrey Radiantfire, an indoor gas heater which could fit in the fireplace. The pamphlet advertised 24 radiators which came in various colors such as brown, bronze, black, rich maroon, green, wrought iron, pierced hearth and various shades of brass. Other products advertised included 6 brass fenders and 2 natural gas burners. In addition, the pamphlet emphasized that a Radiantfire could be installed in a home for a down payment of $5.00 and a pay period of 18 months.

Dates

  • Creation: 1928

Creator

Biographical / Historical

Alfred Humphrey founded the General Gas Light Company in 1901 and sold inverted arc gaslights. By 1917, it was estimated that the company sold more than 1.5 million inverted arc gaslights and sales surpassed $1 million. However, the company began to struggle following US involvement in World War I, which created to a limited work force. In addition, electric light bulbs became cheaper and more popular. The company began focusing on gas heating and the Radiantfire was introduced in 1918. Its eventual success kept the company in business and by 1925, 150,000 Radiantfires were produced per year. General Gas Light Company later changed its name to Humphrey Products Company in 1990.

Extent

1 Sheets ; 12 ½" x 13"

Language of Materials

English

Physical Description

The pamphlet amounts to .05 cubic feet. The colored advertisement measures 3 3/8” x 6 ¼” when folded and 12 1/2” x 13” when fully opened. The pamphlet is folded into sixteen pages and contains various colored images that advertise the Humphrey Radiantfire. The pamphlet is titled “The Humphrey Radiantfire” and lists the Pacific Gas and Electric Company as its producer on one panel and the General Gas Light Company on a panel next to it. The pamphlet is in fair condition with a tear on two of the panels. The pages are slightly yellowed.

Provenance

The pamphlet is an advertisement from the General Gas Light Company located in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Published in 1928, it promoted their Humphrey Radiantfire.

General

The Starring Endowment was used to purchase this item.

Title
General Gas Light Company Pamphlet Finding Aid
Status
Completed
Author
Wesley Kling
Date
2018-03-02
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the Western Michigan University Archives & Regional History Collections Repository

Contact:
Charles C. and Lynn L. Zhang Legacy Collections Center
1650 Oakland Drive
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5307 US
(269) 387-8490