a large assemblage of late 19th and early 20th century antiquated electrical devices

the recent removal of a depression era three-phase alternating current gantry crane switchboard, outfitted with an oversized trumball 3-pole knife switch, injected me with newly found inspiration to revisit an otherwise largely dormant interest in acquiring any and all electrical apparatus revolving around building "power plants."

i took a moment and reviewed the vast assortment of voltmeters, ammeters, jackknife switches, fuses and signage pertaining to switchboards used in power plants housed within factories across the country.

the image gallery below is a carefully curated assemblage culled from the urban remains website and/or my private collection. as one will quickly deduce, i lean heavily towards gauges and meters enclosed in glass and metal - many with quite elaborate ornamentation.

i hope to someday put together a large display of devices and signage representing and partially mimicking early 20th century power plants. whether that will actually come to fruition is up in the air. at the very least, i can present a "virtual" exhibit in this post.