the lewis g. langstaff-designed pressed glass orb liquid dispenser in high demand long after invented

more so than ever it seems, we have several clients aggressively seeking out and purchasing any and all of the "beau brummel" liquid soap dispensers made available on the urban remains website. long ago, we acquired a sizable quantity from one of our sources (outside the realm of local demolition contractors) who managed to secure a variety of artifacts salvaged from new york city's original beaux-arts style pennsylvania station before the gargantuan train depot was demolished in 1963.

these remarkable soap dispensers were fabricated by or for the west disinfecting company, new york city, ny., with pressed clear glass orbs or reservoirs containing either "beau brummel" or the "west disinfecting company" embossed opposite of the push tab. the pivoting lavatory room liquid soap dispensers were designed and patented by lewis g. langstaff of new york in march of 1908.

the "brummel" soap dispenser consists of a uniquely shaped pressed clear glass orb secured in a bright nickel-plated wall bracket or cradle, containing bent brass tubular arms allowing for the glass vessel to swing or pivot on a vertical plane. the protruding "measuring" nozzle and surrounding threaded cap dispense the soap when tilted manually by hand. an elongated metal tab found along the edge of the orb contains lightly incised instructions pertaining to soap dispersal. the nickel-plated flush mount wall bracket contains pre-drilled holes for mounting purposes.

the wall-mount soap dispenser was advertised as a cleaner and sanitary alternative to the messy powdered soaps (e.g., borax) used during the first half of the 20th century. the swinging glass orbs were typically installed in the lavatories of hospitals, schools, train stations, hotels and commercial buildings.

based on the ever-growing demand for the authentic dispensers that we (and several others) offer for purchase, it's only a matter of time before these well-designed and futuristic looking dispensers appear on the radars of the trend "scouts" that will ultimately lead to mass-production; finding their way into the catalogs of restoration hardware, etc. whether or not that materializes is pure conjecture on my part.