paloma91
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posted on October 21, 2003 09:34:31 PM new
My latest find: This stupid lamp. To me it looks like an old oil lamp coverted to electric power. Came from an old ladies house. She had it for years before she died. Any ideas of what it is? It has a chip off the white part of the base. should I just toss it? How would I describe it? I think my fotos stink. Should I try to take more close ups than what I have. I have had this lamp for over 3 weeks and I am totally stuck. I really would appreciate some feedback on this Thanks so much
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AuctionAce
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posted on October 21, 2003 10:09:56 PM new
It must be converted to electricity because the cord going up the side looks tacky. The chip in the base hurts too.
I'd give it low odds of have any real ebay value beyond $5. I hate packing stuff like that and curse Meg Whitman every time I list something big and breakable that only goes for $5.
-------------- sig file ----------- *There is no conclusive evidence that life is serious*
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rarriffle
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posted on October 22, 2003 01:46:14 AM new
so where did the picture go?
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jackswebb
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posted on October 22, 2003 04:51:24 AM new
Lookup kerosene, hurricane, oil lamps. Screw the electrical part off, throw it.(no the electrical part!!!!) List it and watch the bucks roll in. start at $9.99 no reserve. Nice OLD kerosene oil lamp.
Lead or be left in the Dust....
AND THE BEAT GOES ON,,,,, 
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jackswebb
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posted on October 22, 2003 04:53:38 AM new
Mention that it's a milk glass bottom too.
MILK GLASS HURRICANE KEROSENE OIL LAMP OLD
Lead or be left in the Dust....
AND THE BEAT GOES ON,,,,,
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max40
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posted on October 22, 2003 08:46:53 AM new
Absolutely list it! First take a better picture of the pattern on the bowl of the lamp. Second, your library should have a copy of oil lamp pattern book. (I don't remember the name of the book.) Use the pattern name if you can get it. Some of those oil lamps bring astonishing prices. By all means, get rid of the electrical conversion.
Life is not a dress rehearsal
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Damariscotta
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posted on October 22, 2003 08:56:47 AM new
Oil Lamps: The Kerosene Era in North America by Catherine Thuro is the standard reference. I leafed through and didn't see yours, but there are hundreds of lamps shown in this book.
If your lamp is not a rarity, the base chip is going to be a big problem, unfortunately.
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horsey88
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posted on October 22, 2003 08:58:32 AM new
689 milk glass lamps found on Ebay. 639 of them below $7 with no bids.
You stand a very slim chance that someone will "treasure" that "thrash".
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ohmslucy
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posted on October 22, 2003 11:00:26 AM new
Hi Paloma,
I just did a search for milk glass oil on eBay, completed items. Quite a few came up that did sell for decent prices.
One thing I noticed is they have brass connections between the base and the font whereas yours doesn't.
I sold an old oil lamp a couple weeks ago. Sparkz commented in a Vendio thread about it that the burner wheel has info on it that's important to collectors. Looks like the wheel is gone from yours. There probably is a maker's name somewhere on the burner.
If it were me, I'd try to find the name of the burner maker. If you can get the electrical stuff off, fine, otherwise just list it as it is.
I wouldn't just trash it. It's a nice old piece, chip and all.
Lucy
Watch the donut, not the hole.
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horsey88
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posted on October 22, 2003 11:31:43 AM new
The ones that went for big bux had colored glass globes in addition to the milk glass.
Go for it "It's only 30 cents to a dollar"
And with the electrical conversion and a chip you stand a very slim chance that someone will "treasure" that "thrash".
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AuctionAce
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posted on October 22, 2003 11:35:01 AM new
The chip is a major concern. Without the chip it's got a chance but very few collectors want damaged items. Parts of the original wick area assembly are missing with the modification.
You never know on ebay and it may be worth the 30 cents and time to list.
-------------- sig file ----------- *There is no conclusive evidence that life is serious*
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dadofstickboy
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posted on October 22, 2003 11:39:36 AM new
From my experience:
Unscrew the burner from font, then sell.
List converted burner & font separate.
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Damariscotta
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posted on October 22, 2003 12:22:55 PM new
Considering its imperfections, I would include the wiring as well (but would remove it for the photos. If not collector quality, someone may want to re-wire for use, and could use the parts (which wouldn't bring much anyway). Being able to save a couple of bucks on parts might improve odds.
I always save that kind of stuff when it comes with lamps I buy to re-use if possible.
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max40
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posted on October 22, 2003 12:50:54 PM new
Ohmslucy,
<i>One thing I noticed is they have brass connections between the base and the font whereas yours doesn't.</i>
There is a brass collar on the lamp.
<i>I sold an old oil lamp a couple weeks ago. Sparkz commented in a Vendio thread about it that the burner wheel has info on it that's important to collectors. Looks like the wheel is gone from yours. There probably is a maker's name somewhere on the burner.</i>
The name on the burner tells you no more about the maker of the lamp that the name on your tires tells you about the car.
Life is not a dress rehearsal
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ohmslucy
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posted on October 22, 2003 12:56:14 PM new
Clarifying my other post, this auction illustrates what I meant when I said brass connections between the base and the font.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3246766367&category=4061
Lucy
Watch the donut, not the hole.
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max40
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posted on October 22, 2003 01:03:24 PM new
My mistake, I thought the font was the burner. lol
Life is not a dress rehearsal
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seagulllax
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posted on October 22, 2003 04:28:24 PM new
hey Paloma91, Your lamp looks early to me it could even be FLINT GLASS and might have had a WHALE OIL burner at one time. Its hard to tell from the photo. I think it was made in the 2 or 3 quarter of the 1800S. If it does not have a metal band between the top and its milk glass base then I am 99% sure its hand blown and flint glass. Early lamps don't bring what they should on ebay because of people that don't know what they are looking at or talking about but must open there big (unqualified) mouths that its worth about 5 bucks. Its a nice early lamp. Good Luck, but I think I would sell the lamp someplace else besides Ebay.
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AuctionAce
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posted on October 22, 2003 04:34:28 PM new
First post on Vendio and they are an expert on old lamps and even know that ebay buyers are stupid? Early lamps don't bring what they should on ebay because of people that don't know what they are looking
Paloma, put up the lamp so we can see if it is trash or treasure. Of course, if it doesn't sell someone can always say Early lamps don't bring what they should on ebay because of people that don't know what they are looking/ 
-------------- sig file ----------- *There is no conclusive evidence that life is serious*
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kiara
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posted on October 22, 2003 04:48:24 PM new
First post on Vendio and they are an expert on old lamps and even know that ebay buyers are stupid?
AuctionAce, what has the number of posts on Vendio got to do with the knowledge that someone has on a certain subject? Are they required to post hundreds of times before relating knowledge of an item? Sheesh!
Actually many old lamps bring more in retail shops, on websites and RL auctions than they do on ebay. Not everyone in the world that collects things buys on ebay.
This site has info on lamp burners.
http://www.thelampworks.com/lw_info_burner_id.htm
It also has a glossary of lamp terms.
http://www.thelampworks.com/lw_glossary.htm
BTW, welcome seagulllax.
Edited to add glossary url.
[ edited by kiara on Oct 22, 2003 04:53 PM ]
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ohmslucy
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posted on October 22, 2003 04:51:08 PM new
Hi all,
I just looked up the thread I started about the old oil lamp I had. What Sparks said is the key to the age of these things lies in the knob/wheel that is used to elevate the wick.
BTW, mine sold for quite a bit more than five bucks ($78.00) thanks to the help I got here.
Edited to add: Great link, Kiara, thanks!
Lucy
Watch the donut, not the hole.
[ edited by ohmslucy on Oct 22, 2003 04:54 PM ]
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horsey88
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posted on October 22, 2003 04:59:31 PM new
I ain't no expert but my question is : If many old lamps bring more in retail shops then why aren't they selling when they are listed for $5 on Ebay.
Shouldn't the folks who are selling these lamps for big bucks in their stores be buying them for $5 on Ebay.
689 were listed in the last two weeks with nary a bid.
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AuctionAce
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posted on October 22, 2003 05:05:23 PM new
That last post makes a heck of a lot of sense and has a lot of logic. It makes more less sense to say Actually many old lamps bring more in retail shops, on websites and RL auctions than they do on ebay. Not everyone in the world that collects things buys on ebay.
Heck, there's a gold mine here on ebay for old lamps alone! Yet no one is doing it?
-------------- sig file ----------- *There is no conclusive evidence that life is serious*
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paloma91
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posted on October 22, 2003 05:06:29 PM new
Oh Thanks so very very very much for everyone here who is trying to help me. I have this stupid lamp next to the keyboard here as I type. the electrical fixture part looks like its around 1940's . I can take better fotos to show you. I found the little knobbie thing you all were talking about. the handle is missing but the wire thing that it attached to is still sticking out. There is no metal between the white "milk?" glass and the clear middle. Is that the metal you are speaking of? Should I take the electrical fixture off? Might there be a name or something underneath the electrical fixture.
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max40
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posted on October 22, 2003 05:15:36 PM new
When you're talking about a lamp that was made in the mid to late 1800's, there aren't many that will have the original burner. A replacement burner could be of another style from the original, could have been made in the late 1800's or early 1900's. They are still making burners that fit most of the early lamps.
That being said, you can't judge a lamp by the name on the knob of the burner assy.
The book that Damariscotta mentioned earlier is a great reference for the lamp itself. In fact I believe there is a second edition or vol 2 out with more patterns shown.
I sold a finger lamp last year on ebay that had been converted. I removed the ruined burner, looked up the pattern in the book, found out the color was rare, and sold it on ebay for something over $200.00. I probably could have sold it for more at the mall, but didn't want to wait.
There are plenty of knowledgable buyers on ebay, but they will only pay what they have to. If they miss one, there's always another one listed sooner or later.
Life is not a dress rehearsal
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paloma91
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posted on October 22, 2003 05:22:06 PM new
I Just tried to take the top off and it screwed right off. The white glass has almost a gold sheen like moonstones do when you show light through it. Oh my, I have no idea what I am doing. I am so glad you all are here. The white part of the glass "butts" right up to the clear glass with no metal parts to separate it.
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paloma91
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posted on October 22, 2003 05:32:49 PM new
Sorry about this but for some reason I can't edit my previous post here. The fixture that holds the light bulb is written " LEVITON" The only other writing is on the white/bone colored switch on the cord. "A-H & H" 10 A.-125 V. 5A, - 250 V. UND LAB. INC INSR" With a loup, the brass looks brass, even underneath except for the nut that holds on the fixture on the very short post thingy. Sorry. my terminology is better for computers than with this stuff.
Thanks again for everything. I really appreciate all of your hard work with this
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horsey88
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posted on October 22, 2003 05:37:50 PM new
Yep you can buy those at home depot for 89 cents. Has nothing to do with thhlamp.
Kinda like looking on the pine tree shaped deodorizer hanging from the mirror of your car to determine the model and year.
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max40
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posted on October 22, 2003 05:41:16 PM new
Leviton makes electrical fixtures and has nothing to do with the value or age of the lamp. The brass collar that is attached to the glass has a threaded hole in it. That collar was made in at least 2 sizes that I've seen. I believe the replacement burners are still made in both sizes. If you want to, you can restore the lamp to "original" with a new burner and chimney. Personally I wouldn't. I'd list it as-is, AFTER I foud out exactly what I had.
Life is not a dress rehearsal
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paloma91
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posted on October 22, 2003 06:17:51 PM new
I understand. So the most valuable part ias the glass portion of the lamp. Even with a chip like that?
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rarriffle
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posted on October 22, 2003 06:20:46 PM new
are the threads on the inside or the outside of the glass at the top? the old lamps had the threads on the inside of the glass.
one of the reasons lamps sell for more in malls and shops is because of the number of lamps still being produced. the only way to really tell what you are buying is by seeing it up close and personal.
oil lamps weren't something only a few people owned, such as good china. every home had them and nobody can possibly collect or know about all of them.
JMHO
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