FANtastic Antique Ceiling Fans

08/23/2026

08/23/2026

I have updates. I sold the Emerson 34641 on eBay (seller ID: dadscoins). I have been working on 3 separate restorations. The Emerson fernleaf (still gathering parts), a GE c1925, and a Century, c1923. I need to do some wiring and wood blade refinishing, and final assembly, and testing, and then video, etc. I show my work. They are available for buyer input on final finish details and all 3 are for sale. The Century and GE I can offer here for $1,295 plus actual shipping. The Emerson 32641 fernleaf is $1,795. eBay prices will be 20% higher. I can still do alterations as to lighting and finishes. Let me know.

08/06/2026

I need some parts for the fernleaf, so in the meantime, I have selected a few to redo. I have a soft spot for Century ceiling fans. The evolution of Century CFs matches the motor evolution of their desk fans and share parts. Century products pre1910 were the match for anything on the market. Skeletal Century cast iron desk fans are collected. The later 1920s pot metal desk fan examples, not so much. But the Century CFs didn't have anything pot metal.

So, on the bench are 2 examples of Century CFs. One, a c1906 "open top" and a c1926 "closed top". I have forgotten most details on the timeline production, but the no model number is early and the closed tops model 175 are 1920s. This is how I usu get them. Down and dirty. These would seem to have working fans when taken down. Both have period correct speed coils with the 1906 having the Century 5 tap donut. The 1920s has the original 1920s speed coil, 3 speed I think. Both have intact snap switches and the 06 has it's rod from the cup! Both of these are going back original, but I might choose other taps on the 5 speed coil to slow it down.

The 1926 is totally enclosed, no vents. The 1906 has the open top and vents in bottom plate. I am no motor expert, I follow electrons and make stuff work. The motor design to allow this change is well over my pay grade.

Follow along for progress. I get visits from inpectors several times a day. I hope to have these running and balanced by end of the weekend. I have original irons and blades and hangers and maybe canopies. Then finishes and lights. These are going to be black on the fan at least.

07/26/2026

Some updates on the fernleaf. The gun bluing did not give consistent coverage to be a final finish. It was an interesting attempt. So black semi-gloss in as thin a coat I could do and get full coverage.

Here I also point out the long vs short arm brackets. Long arms show off the bottom plate. Also notice that fernleaf motors have a separate hanger plate which is unique AFAIK.

Also thinking of lighting options and nose/ball finish. I happen to have 2 brass chandelier arms with, wait for it, a fern leaf motif. Only 2 though. I can finish the cup/ball in a "brass" finish like I did on the Emerson 34641 cup. I am leaning that way. I can always paint later.

07/22/2026

I have seen the videos of people using cold gun bluing on cast iron skillets. I thought, why not on cast iron CF parts? So the idea is to create the "good rust" magnetite (black oxide) and not the normal ole red rust. If it is good enough for a skillet, I'm game, and a simple strip if not acceptable. So the 32641 fernleaf bottom plate is a test object. Cast iron is not steel, so I was not expecting the moon and several applications later, I'm kinda pleased. Paint has a thickness and can hide details. A magnetite finish repels red rust and is only molecules thick showing all the details. Silly me didn't snap this bare metal photo, but I have a past resto (near) bare metal photo for comparison. Several Dremel wire wheels gave their ultimate service.

07/21/2026

Just some ruminations on antique ceiling fans and their use now. CFs from 1900 to 1950 were the air conditioner. Moving air is cooling. Yes, there were whole house fans, etc, but ceiling fans for rooms and desk fans for spot cooling were essentially the only choice. I have at least 1 desk fan in every room of my house and CFs in LR and 3BRs.

So pre compressor AC you wanted air movement. Old CFs when 3 speed were, as I love to say, fast, faster, and blow your hat off. Part of this is these fans were designed for 104 to 110 VAC. Common line voltage is now 120 to125 VAC. Ceiling fans run at 220 to230 RPMs at their designated voltage and with 14 degree brackets, move a ton of air. So these fans are running 10 to 20% faster than designed. Great if you want to chase dust bunnies from under the couch, but not conductive to modern day usage. I include a solid state KB 5 amp continuous speed controller with my CFs so that a useable low speed can be obtained. An example is the Emerson 34641 which was originally 3 speed. Now it has an usable low speed.

07/21/2026

Next on the bench is an Emerson 32641 made in 1911, commonly known as the fernleaf. This is the "fancy" line of fans meant for the parlor. This one is in nice condition and I think it will get something different than plain ole black. For comparison I have included a past fernleaf restoration photo.