We've had a brass bed since 1985 and were having some remodeling done and had to take it out of the room. I noticed two labels "Oriental Metal Beds, Hoboken NJ, USA" and "Bakelite Lacquer" (I think) and a stencil "Polet 722" on it. Now that I'm retired, I thought it would be interesting to know some more history.
Googling it, I could only find one reference to the Oriental Metal Beds on a Hoboken Museum site and that it became the Federal Metal Bed Company in 1924.
https://hoboken.pastperfectonline.com/media/880F6E95-2ABB-4ECC-8D26-761694342378
https://hoboken.pastperfectonline.com/photo/3EBE9411-7BF1-44EF-9073-232264215098
Now I'm at a dead end. Any suggestions or help with the history?
Add your voice! Click below to answer. ThriftyFun is powered by your wisdom!
Here is some information about Bakelite Lacquer. This is a process that was used to make this bed. The process is confusing and difficult to put into my own words so I have copied the information here for you from this site. You can also go there and read the full process if you are interested. russianpatents.com/
SUBSTANCE: bakelite lacquer is obtained by condensation of phenols with formaldehyde in water medium in presence of amine catalyst with heating and further cooling condensation product and addition of alcohol solvent in it until required viscosity is obtained. Mixture of phenol and cardanol is used as phenols with their molar ratio phenol:cardanol 1:0.003-0.472.
russianpatents.com/
© RussianPatents.com - patent search, 2012-2020
The Polet 722 I do believe is the model number for this bed. Normally a company will mark their items in this way so they can tell which model of bed has been purchased. The 722 more than likely stands for the number of beds made or it could be for the factory it was made in.
I will continue to search for more information about the company. But now you can understand the process they used to make the bed you have. This is important to understand the chemical process because it deals with adding the coating to the metal frame of the bed to make it last.
I would call the museum and see if they have the history. I am attaching two screen shots, but I know they are small.
There is a lot of information about the company on a membership site called Newspapers.com. The company had a serious fire (January 10, 1910) and there are other articles about issues that the owner had with his private home having arson related fires.
There are also many images of ads for the beds in the NY, NJ, and PA newspapers--even as far west as Pittsburgh!
I see you are trying to sell it on Craig's List. Before you sell, you may want to see if the museum would want it.
Post back what you decide!
This is great info, Thanks. I did call the museum but got VM. I'll check out the other source you mentioned. Thanks again.
Post back what you learn! Sounds like it is a neat piece!!
Add your voice! Click below to answer. ThriftyFun is powered by your wisdom!
