1950s Cosack Desk Lamp –

The 1950s Cosack desk lamp in an early sixties catalogue

1950s Cosack Desk Lamp

Materials: Round cast iron base, painted with black wrinkle paint. Curved brass rod. Light yellow painted brass mushroom style lampshade, painted white inside. 2 brass ornamental screws, some brass parts. Brass E27 socket.

Height: 40 cm / 15.74”

Lampshade: ∅ 35 cm / 13.77”

Base: ∅ 15 cm / 5.90”

Electricity: 1 bulb E27, 1 x 75 watt maximum, 110/220 volt.
Any type of light bulb can be used, not a specific one preferred.

Period: 1950s, 1960s – Mid-Century Modern.

Designer: To be appraised.

Manufacturer: Gebrüder Cosack, Neheim-Hüsten, Germany.

Other versions: This 1950s Cosack desk lamp was made in several colours.

Cosack

The Gebrüder Cosack (Gecos) company was founded in 1848 as a metal processing plant in Neheim-Hüsten, Germany by Egon, Friedrich and Theodor Cosack. In the beginning they made liturgical items and crosses made of brass and they also produced kerosene lamps. Later the company came to the production of electric lamps. Cosack is the oldest Neheim lamp factory.

After the Second World War Cosack pursued a modern direction. A best seller were copper lighting for restaurants. The company was declared bankrupt in 1984.

Best known designers: Ursula or Gottfried Stürzenhofecker (unclear, they are both designers), K. H. Kinsky.

This desk lamp, model 7675 won the iF-Design Award in 1956.

BJB

The socket of this desk lamp was made by BJB. BJB is Brökelmann, Jäger and Busse, BJB GmbH & Co. KG. The BJB company was founded in 1867 and started with petroleum lighting. The company still exists. Today they produce LED lamps, terminal blocks and connectors, lamp holders for conventional lighting and switches. They are active in the whole world. BJB GmbH & Co. KG is located on Werler Strasse 1, 59755, Arnsberg, Germany.

VLM

The switch was made by the VLM Components company from Buccinasco, near Milan in Italy. Today VLM Components is owned by Relco. It is one of the biggest suppliers of switches, cords and plugs in Europe. VLM Components became famous for the switches they produce that were designed by Achille Castiglioni in 1968.