Prismatic English bulkheads by 'Simplex' circa 1960. Each light comprises a two part cast steel assembly featuring makers marks 'Made in England' with the original prismatic glass lens and internal reflector. They are suitable for both ceiling or wall application.
Lighting design in the UK benefitted from a free market. Different companies were working at the same time, designing and producing similar products for the same market. Often with only slight differences in their style, they constantly upgraded and improved their original designs. The products we salvage come from the old industrial heartland of England. This area of the UK was once the boiler room of the British economy - from the potteries of Stoke, through the engineering works of Birmingham, to the wool, textile and cotton mills of Oldham and Manchester.
View all lights from UKWhere possible we retain the original finish of a light - it is part of its history and emphasises its heritage. However, sometimes leaving a surface as we find it just isn’t possible. Some lights made from non-ferrous metals, such as aluminium, arrive so severely degraded we need to remove their outer layers to allow any further surface treatment to be applied. We do this using an environmentally friendly technique known as ‘soda blasting’. Soda blasting works by applying bicarbonate of soda to a surface under high pressure. The crystals explode at the point of impact and this ‘blasts’ the layer of degradation away - leaving the surface clean for the next stage in restoration.
Supplied with new porcelain screw (E27) lamp holder.
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Supplied tested to BS EN60598. Converted for use in the US and worldwide. IP20 for internal use only.
Simplex Electric Co was formed in 1932 when Credenda Conduit Co and Simplex Conduits Ltd of Garrison Lane, Birmingham, merged. In addition to lighting equipment and conduits, the company began to manufacture Creda domestic cooking appliances. Between 1932 and 1965 Simplex Electric Co produced a wide range of lighting products but is primarily recognised for its early elegant prismatic street lanterns, bulkheads and latterly for linear industrial fluorescent fixtures. Then as the mass mergers of the 1960s unfolded, the company was bought by General Electric of the U.S.A. and production as Simplex stopped.
View all Simplex Electric Co LightsAs well as offering a lifetime guarantee that includes repairs, our Full Circle buy-back scheme gives you the opportunity to trade-in your skinflint lights. It keeps vintage lights in use forever - helping you and our planet.
Trade in, get credit
Why we recommend using energy-saving LED light bulbs in all of our vintage lights.
Where our lights can be used internally and externally, including bathrooms and IP ratings.
Quick, efficient and exactly as ordered. Thanks.
- Susan | Hertford | UK
Stunning items.
- Martin | London | UK
We adore skinflint lights. Thank you for our latest buy retro Czechoslovakian pendant (V2). We love it, as well as the 1950s Polish street light and industrial pendant lighting we bought from you. We hope you like how we have used them in our home.
- Jill & Tony | Cheshire | UK
The light works well because the industrial style and it complements the exposed brick walls and stone worktops in the kitchen.
- Charles | London | UK
