Pair of McCall’s Desert-Air Industrial Adjustable Aluminum Floor Lamps, 1930s

A rare pair of uncommon 1930s McCall’s Desert-Air industrial adjustable-height aluminum and cast iron floor lamps. Fifteen-inch-diameter polished aluminum reflector shade with rotatable cast aluminum mount on bare metal gooseneck-shaped adjustable-height stem. Lower stem section and tri-foot cast iron base freshly finished in matte black. Can be adjusted from 52 to 77 inches high. Dimensions listed are overall with lamp at mid-height. Base is 19.5 inches from toe-to-toe. With new socket, fittings, period appropriate golden-colored twisted cloth cord with inline switch, and three-prong plug. Originally a heat lamp marketed as a home medical device promising to cure nearly everything that ails you. Its label—no longer extant—boasted of the lamp that “It’s a portable desert air maker” and “Costs 11 cents to use 10 hours in most places”. Circa 1950, the Los Angeles-based company’s Desert-Air lamp and its associated advertising were recalled by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for misrepresentation of unproven health benefits. Dimensions: Height: 64.5 in Width: 27 in Depth: 17 in Condition: Good Refinished. Additions or alterations made to the original: Originally heat lamps. Converted to standard lamps at some point before we acquired them and updated their sockets and wiring. Rewired: New sockets, fittings, and wiring. Wear consistent with age and use. In very good restored vintage condition. Shades: some small marks and dings; lamp at left with .63-inch diameter hole near top. Stems: some tarnish and light wear throughout, primarily on lamp at right; broken-off mount collar knob on lamp at right.