In 1938, industrial designer Henry Dreyfuss was commissioned by the New York Central Company to design streamlined trains for the fabulous and famous 20th-Century Limited, which traveled between New York City and Chicago.

The new trains must have just stunned the public with their revolutionary modernity.

Even the menus were dashing.

With each departure and arrival, a red carpet was rolled out. Ahhh, I really need to fuel up my time machine.

In an iconic movie scene, Cary Grant and Eva Marie Saint “met” aboard the 20th-Century Limited in North By Northwest. Oh, I love the movie.

The private compartments had reading sconces which were right/left specific, to help assure that light would be directed to a single passenger.

And, I found a pair!!!!!!!! OMG, I was so excited!!!!!!!!

The shades are thick glass. There is a outer coating of white, and a circular clear section. The clear circle also has a thinner area at the bottom, like a bifocal lens, so as to direct the light. Today, the sconces would be ideal on each side of a bathroom mirror. Or, as reading lights over your bed!