MINT / Near Mint Selection!

UNILINE Version with ART DECO BORDER

Lot of 2 -- Outlet Cover Plates
IVORY color With New Screws!!!

Circa 1950...

Minor flaws:

Hairline screw crack on one.

Manufacturer mold flaw on other - slight bump.

The UNILINE Design Pattern:

This pattern was Designed BY Victor R. Despard 

with the original Ribs (separated by 3 Lines) version Patented in 1949.

This Version with Art Deco Border is known to have been produced by the following companies:

Bryant, Pass & Seymour (P&S), and Fisher

(possibly Arrow H&H as well)

Bryant and P&S are the most commonly found plates in this pattern.

MORE UNILINE HISTORY:

There are at least 4 designs in the Uniline series of wall plates...

The originator of the Uniline series, Victor R. Despard, patented at least 2 wall plate designs:

1.  The 1947 Uniline Patent design had a flat raised vertical center with 2 ribs on each side.

2.  The 1949 Uniline Patent design had a raised vertical center with ribs separated by 3 fine lines.

             Known manufacturers of this pattern are Bryant, Hubbell, Pass & Seymour, and Arrow H&H

--Then there are one or 2 very simple Uniline variations without any fancy embellishments
                           (production periods unknown)

--The later fancy Uniline Design has a fancy Art Deco "Key" BORDER of alternating rectangles around
         a center with the vertical ribs separated by 3 fine lines found in the 1949 design.

         This pattern came into production sometime after 1950.   Known manufactures are Bryant,
         Pass & Seymour (P&S), Fisher Lighting & Controls, and MM.  Manufacturer using MM is unknown

         at this time, but may be a Leviton Monowat mark.  It is believed Fisher reintroduced these plates
        sometime after 1983.   They can be identified by plates marked "F" or with plastic wrappers etc. marked F"

--Finally, Leviton produced some plates VERY SIMILAR to the 1949 patented plates by Despard.  The ribs are

       NOT separated by fine lines and the top/bottom is straight.   NONE have been found marked or associated

       with the Uniline Series at this time.

Some Company History:

Hubbell    Founded 1888...
Bryant    1888-1988
Pass & Seymour    1890-1984
Arrow    ca. 1907-1927
Arrow H&H 1927-1981

Fisher Lighting & Controls 1983-

PLEASE let us know if you found any of the information useful or interesting.  We also welcome any additional information or corrections.