photographic study of congress theater's lobby victor pearlman chandeliers

the following photographic images (taken over a course of three months) provide a highly detailed visual record of the two matching fully functional extant interior congress theater lobby cast brass and wrought ornamental chandeliers. remarkably, the gargantuan "electric candle" ceiling fixtures with dual-colored art cathedral glass globes and wheel-cut yellow "flash" glass haven't been altered since the time of installation in august of 1926. the chandeliers, along with other theater "fittings" (e.g., wall sconces, exit light "cans," and some pendants were likely fabricated by victor pearlman & company, chicago, ills., based on preliminary research and identification of metal casting markings.

victor e. pearlman (born may 5^th, 1883), was an inventor and founder of the lighting fixture company bearing his name. the chicago-based lighting fixture company was established in 1913 with offices locates at 75 e. adams street. victor s. pearlman & company outfitted several local hotels, banks, and movie palaces built during the early 20^th century. v.s. pearlman and co. expanded their studios and shops shortly after relocating to 533-535 s. wabash ave sometime around 1920. their bronze, iron, glass and brass goods were being installed in several institutions and residences located across the country. notable commissions includes the tivoli, congress, harris, and uptown theaterm and the new drake hotel.

thousands of detailed images featuring the congress lobby main leaded art glass chandeliers are slowly being edited and archived in the bldg. 51 museum repository. the photographic images will prove invaluable during the painstaking restoration of the many components (unaltered since installation) used in the assemblage of each fixture.

light fixtures and signage fabricated by pearlman for chicago movie palaces that have since been demolished or renovated are shown below:

a few period advertisements for the pearlman lighting company (sourced from 1920's trade magazines).