Post #384617 by TorchGuy on Wed, Jun 4, 2008 12:45 PM

I can do that! A few years ago, I contacted Malm, asking about their older models. I inquired about old catalogs, and the person I spoke with confirmed that they had some. I asked for copies. I assume they must have multiples of each, because I recieved original color brochures, not photocopies. I have two different 70s catalogs:

What seems to be an earlier catalog shows the suspended Fire Duchess on the cover, with interior pages showing the Imperial Carousel (spinning fire), Baron (short cone with swept-back mouth opening), Fire Jester (three-sided corner fire) and Fire Duke (tall, narrow cone), with the Fire Queen (box with conical top) and Fire Prince (cylinder with rounded top and bottom) on the back, as well as specs for these and the Fire Princess (smaller Queen) and Fire King (Queen with boxy top) and the freestanding Duchess. Ten porcelain enamel colors are shown. Printed on textured paper.

The other catalog shows the freestanding Duchess on the cover, with fold-out interior showing the Baron, Fire Jester, Fire Duke, larger faceted Grand Duke, Lancer (short cone with inwardly-flared base), Electric and Gas Baroness models (Baron with round pedestal instead of square block base), Diamond Fire (squat cone on cone-on-cone base, but square - wall and corner versions), suspended Fire Duchess, Fire Queen, Royal Carousel, and new Imperial Carousel with shorter hood cone.Ten porcelain colors listed, as well as porcelain or flat black, though color list differs slightly.

Another shows the Carousel and details its invention by a Mr. Harold Tannebaum and its history. It has an innovative design that spins the flames using an unusual draft arrangement, which burns the soot so the fire burns clean.

Then, there's an 80s catalog showing the Imperial Carousel, Spin-A-Fire (another fireplace using the Carousel idea) and the Lancer, as well as the Jester II, a Jester with glass doors.

Last, there's the current catalog, with Imperial Carousel, Fire Drum II and III (I have no idea what the original Fire Drum design was), the Spin-A-Fire, Lancer, and the Zircon which is very much like a Baroness. This catalog lists ten porcelain colors including black, seven "optional" colors that cost extra, plus matte black.

I'll scan all of these ASAP. In the meantime, here are some saved shots I have, taken from eBay and Craigslist as well as various vintage shops' websites. Description is for following photo:

Around 1998, I had contact with someone selling off NOS from a closed fireplace shop. Here are some of his shots. This is a Majestic "Aztec" in a color comparable to Malm's Zinnia Green. Aztec colors were stippled with black. The base is a cone-on-cone arrangement The ones I said I might be able to get in Seattle area are matte-black Aztecs.

To its left and right are corner fires, Malm Jesters, in a dark olive green. Below are to Majestic Regency models, one in Zinnia Green, one in orange. Note that these stand on two tapered, splayed legs in front with brass feet, with a blocky rear support. Background on the right is a white Malm Jester - these have brass trim.

Next is a Majestic ad, listing six colors. The photos at bottom show, L to R, a square matte black fire (note green butterfly chair and yellow Barcelona Chair), an apparently gas-fired orange Regency (with another butterfly chair - I love those, too) and a white wall-mount electric The little circle of sketchesin the center shows some copying of Malm models - that's a Malm Duchess at top center, a Fire Queen or Princess just counter-clockwise from it, and a Fire Duke at bottom left! Also shows an Aztec, a Regency, that boxy model, a Franklin Fireplace copycat, two electric wall fires, and a Majestic Firehood (bottom right).

It's possible that this is what a Malm Fire Drum looks like. Would make a nice corner fire:

This is a Lancer. Looks like the early 90s color Malm called "Rust".

Here's a Malm Spin-A-Fire in Burnt Almond. Whereas the Carousel was finally offered in a brushed brass finish in the 90s, the Spin-A-Fire has been sold in bright polished chrome, brass or copper.

An electric fire, a Lancer imitation with a conical base. The electric models came with a telescoping flue and flue collar, so you could immediately make them appear to have been "intstalled".

Sure wish I knew who made this awesome space-man fire! I've also seen a white one of these. Behind it is a red Majestic Firehood, with a shortened flue with wind cap, set on a wheeled dolly, for patio use. One of the late 60s Sunset Fireplaces books showed a bunch of bizarrely cool custom fires, the designer's name escapes me, but he did a few spherical fires, including two suspended without chains for a California home and built so they can swing like a pendulum in the event of a quake!

Sorry, but I can't resist... No thread on "cool" fireplaces of ANY kind can be without THE coolest vintage fire ever built. Preside over this array of funky fires as varied and colorful as the myriad jewel-bright cocktails that have been enjoyed in your presence, O grand fire god with glowing eyes!