I bought an old Alfred Wolff transformer in a box at an auction. I have never heard of this company and am seeking info. The transformer has a cast iron frame but no sides (the transformer is open so you could stick your fingers inside). The tag says Alfred Wolff & Co New York, Current 4, Volts 110 and has the number 7356 which I believe to be either a model or serial number. I have found an ad for the company from 1911 that list model trains as one of their offerings.
I am new to the forum and was unable to upload any photos. I will post some when I figure out what I am doing wrong. Thanks, Joe
Pgs 22, & 48 of this book preview: https://books.google.com/books?id=7pnC59H5FugC&pg=PA48&lpg=PA48&dq=Alfred+Wolff+%26+Co&source=bl&ots=Jz_EvKkZ75&sig=0y10QFrOfcQ4zlGcnUwb4Svty_Y&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiK2OWP4t3OAhWEgCYKHQPJAA84ChDoAQhPMA0#v=onepage&q=Alfred%20Wolff%20%26%20Co&f=false mention an Alfred Wolff & Co as an importer of miniature electric lamps. (Don't miss the early Lionel Std Gauge steamer on page 19!)
This book: https://books.google.com/books?id=VTpOAAAAYAAJ&pg=RA2-PA67&lpg=RA2-PA67&dq=Alfred+Wolff+%26+Co&source=bl&ots=76U3FbvYZx&sig=llAAdaNU8aoEaVRL-BnCOZ5Zxag&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjGvamn4t3OAhWFOCYKHSNdDKU4FBDoAQglMAI#v=onepage&q=Alfred%20Wolff%20%26%20Co&f=false lists Ives, Lionel, C & F, Howard, Knapp and Voltamp under "toys and novelties" on page 106 but no Wolff.
Was this the ad that you saw? https://books.google.com/books?id=71hNAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA225&lpg=PA225&dq=Alfred+Wolff+%26+Co&source=bl&ots=la9p1drMHc&sig=kkwpnjlAJ703k_2YZmvzUoEX-hE&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjGvamn4t3OAhWFOCYKHSNdDKU4FBDoAQgnMAM#v=onepage&q=Alfred%20Wolff%20%26%20Co&f=false If so, the train set looks like either a Bing or Carrette which could be the true transformer manufacturer if Wolff was an importer.
Becky
Trains, trains, wonderful trains. The more you get, the more you toot!
Here is a link to an excerpt from the October, 1911, issue of Electrical Record magazine, with a picture at the top of page 194 of "NEW TYPE OF TOY TRANSFORMER, MADE BY ALFRED WOLFF & CO., 29 PARK PLACE, NEW YORK". The apparently incomplete text says, "[pro?]vided with five taps from which the following voltages can be obtained: 4, 6, 8, 10, 12. Each tap is marked plainly, and the desired voltage can be obtained by simply inserting a plug in the tap marked with that voltage."
https://books.google.com/books?id=zIA2AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA190&lpg=PA190&dq=%22alfred+wolff%22+transformer&source=bl&ots=PyqTGc84Wg&sig=hAH_ab8PVLLjXx5lH0TAXQzyOWs&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwidjZCt693OAhXE4CYKHZKqCp4Q6AEIMDAD#v=onepage&q=%22alfred%20wolff%22%20transformer&f=false
Does this transformer resemble yours?
Bob Nelson
WoW! Check out that store window!
Joe 6464, we hardly knew ye.
I get the impression Alfred Wolff was an importer/retailer, but let me tell you, there's hardly a day goes by when I get on this site and don't learn something new.
Thanks all for those VERY interesting links!
You know, I shouldn't be at this point having been a student of history my whole life, but looking at those ads from 1911 I'm amazed at the level of technical sophistication, and only fifty years after the start of the Civil War.
Just amazing how the world changed in that half-century. At least it didn't happen overnight, everyone had plenty of time to get used to it!
Thank you, Becky, these are the same ads and books that I have found. I appriciated your research!
Thanks. This is one of the articles that I have been reading. It sounds like what I have from the description, but there isn't a picture of my transformer. I still haven't figured out how to post pictures. Thanks for posting the link.
Can you see the picture at the top of page 194?
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