Oil Lamps

About Antique Oil Lamps

An oil lamp is any vessel that holds oil, with an absorbent wick that sits in the oil and can be lit, producing heat or light. Until the 1800s various candles, pitch oil lamps, and animal fat lamps were common. Once the development of kerosene made mass producing lamps profitable, oil lamps were fabricated from metal, glass, porcelain, and other ceramics.

Collectors often focus on a lamp's chimney or shade. Earlier chimneys were hand blown, free-form, and these limited-production chimneys with peddle tops and frothed or etched designs are more scarce and in demand than later machine-made examples. Typically oil lamp manufacturers made the metal parts (the base and burner) and bought the glass elsewhere. Holmes Booth and Haydens, for example, would buy glass shades from companies like Fostoria or Consolidated...

Shades were made with a wide variety of materials. There were the plain opal shades made with milk glass, which was utilitarian and inexpensive. There was case glass, really two different layers of glass with the inside white to reflect more light and the outside colored (the green and white combination is quite common). There were art glass shades: satin glass, amberina, cranberry, and mother of pearl. They were more expensive back then and command high prices today.

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Interviews & Articles

An Interview With Antique Lamp Collector Dan Edminster

My grandparents were antique collectors all their lives, their whole house was furnished in antiques. They had a lo… [more]

Lamps and Illuminants

Among old-time lamps there are certain types that mark changes in the manner of living or that are representative o… [more]

Lamps for The Early American

When one considers that man is the one animal who depends on artificial light for getting about in the dark, it is … [more]

An Interview With 1950s TV Lamp Collector Mark Stevens

What got me interested in TV lamps?  I’ve always had an interest in the tackier artifacts of the 1950s and 60s. The… [more]



Best of the Web (“Hall of Fame”)

CollectLamps.com

CollectLamps.com

Interested in antique oil lamps? This site is a great place to learn more about their history, and scroll through b… [read review or visit site]

Neustadt Tiffany Collection

Neustadt Tiffany Collection

This stunning gallery of 138 Tiffany lamps and lampshades, part of the Dr. Egon Neustadt Collection presented by th… [read review or visit site]

The Lampworks

The Lampworks

Lamp collector and dealer Dan Edminster has put together an incredible reference site on antique lamps and related … [read review or visit site]

Classic Modern

Classic Modern

Get a taste of how homes were lit in the 50s, 60s, and 70s with the Danish retro-style lighting designs featured on… [read review or visit site]

Texans Incorporated: The History of a Lamp Company

Texans Incorporated: The History of a Lamp Company

Mark Stevens has created an impressive living memorial to Texans Inc., a 20th century Texas manufacturer of ceramic… [read review or visit site]

The Lamps of H. G. McFaddin

The Lamps of H. G. McFaddin

Bruce Bleier's tribute to the Emeralite and Bellova lampshades made from Czech glass and popularized and distribute… [read review or visit site]

Fairy Lamp Club

Fairy Lamp Club

This incredible site is a stunning showcase for Victorian and contemporary fairy lamps, a style of lamp with a glas… [read review or visit site]

Gas Pressure Lanterns, Lamps and Stoves

Gas Pressure Lanterns, Lamps and Stoves

Terry Marsh’s beautiful showcase of gas-pressure lanterns, lamps, stoves, irons, and heaters from the 1920s o… [read review or visit site]


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Clubs & Associations: Lamps


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Antique Miller Gwtw Oil Or Electric Parlor Table Lamp$382.00 Ends in 10 hours 14 bids 62 watchers
Beautiful Antique Victorian Oil Lamp & Tulip Shade$312.54 Ends Wednesday 17 bids 23 watchers
14" Cranberry Hobnail Hanging Library Oil Lamp Shade A+$305.00 Ends Thursday 2 bids 16 watchers
Old White Cut To Green Oil Lamp W 1860 Burner & Chimney$304.99 Ends Sunday 2 bids 15 watchers
Aladdin Oil Lamp Mantles,1 Case,mod-r150,brazil,thorium$300.00 Ends Sunday 11 bids 21 watchers
14" Cranberry Thumbprint Hanging Parlour Oil Lamp Shade$299.99 Ends Tuesday 1 bid 33 watchers
Beautiful Aladdin Red Beehive Kerosene Oil Lamp$280.00 Ends Sunday 8 bids 79 watchers
Millefiori Miniature Oil Lamp Beautiful!$250.00 Ends Sunday 10 bids 31 watchers
Aladdin Student Lamp Kerosene/oil With Original Shade$250.00 Ends Tuesday 2 bids 14 watchers
Ornate B&h Hanging Oil Lamp$228.49 Ends Sunday 3 bids 15 watchers
Victorian Hand Painted Rose Gone With The Wind Oil Lamp$225.00 Ends Sunday 9 bids 31 watchers
Gwtw / Globe Glass Oil Lamp Shade Hp Lovely Flowers $222.50 Ends in 9 hours 8 bids 33 watchers
Awesome Antique Gone With The Wind Kerosene Oil Lamp Nr$220.48 Ends Wednesday 9 bids 51 watchers
19c Arts Crafts Stickley Roycroft Era Copper Oil Lamp $202.50 Ends Monday 4 bids 40 watchers
Rare Antique Whale Oil Lamp Marble-brass Base 2 Burner$199.99 Ends in 8 hours 3 bids 9 watchers
Antique Aladdin Diamond Quilt Black White Oil Lamp Rare$199.00 Ends Thursday 1 bid 11 watchers
Huge Victorian Cranberry Oil Lamp, Chinoiserie Base$186.00 Ends in 6 hours 6 bids 37 watchers
Antique Cherub Oil Lamp Electrified - Glass Shade 29 In$152.50 Ends Tuesday 2 bids 13 watchers
Delft Blue Windmill Scene Kerosene Miniature Oil Lamp$152.50 Ends Sunday 2 bids 21 watchers
Antique Jos Lucas Holophote Bicycle Oil Lamp Birmingham$152.44 Ends Wednesday 1 bid 29 watchers
1870's Ci Hanging Oil Lamp, W/smoke Bell & Match Holder$148.49 Ends Monday 13 bids 56 watchers
Antique Brass & Copper Oil Kerosene Wall Hanging Lamps$137.50 Ends in 2 hours 12 bids 41 watchers
Antique Blue Milk Glass Miniature Oil Lamp - S-2, # 253$135.21 Ends in 10 hours 7 bids 46 watchers
Aladdin Colonial #104 Oil Lamp W/#501-9 Shade$132.50 Ends in 9 hours 3 bids 33 watchers
Vintage Fabulous B & H Hanging Oil Lamp Pink Shade 1888$132.49 Ends Sunday 6 bids 58 watchers
Vintique 1938 Model B Oil Lamp W/aladdin Chimmey-mint$130.00 Ends Tuesday 6 bids 23 watchers
Vintage/antique Gas/oil Lamp Lighter 1800's Lovely Cond$129.00 Ends Thursday 19 bids 21 watchers
Early Blue Opalescent Polka Dot Oil Lamp$127.50 Ends Thursday 3 bids 18 watchers
Huge 13" Wall Bracket Oil Lamp Mercury Glass Reflector$125.99 Ends Sunday 1 bid 7 watchers
Aladdin 4-post Hanging Oil Lamp, Good Cond. W/chimney $122.50 Ends Monday 6 bids 52 watchers
Antique Kerosene Hanging Oil Lamp Complete$118.49 Ends in 8 hours 2 bids 20 watchers
Pink Satin Deep Rose Glass Kerosene Miniature Oil Lamp$113.61 Ends Sunday 3 bids 22 watchers
Aladdin Oil, Kerosene Lamp, No. 5., 1913-14 Good Cond.$107.50 Ends Thursday 7 bids 8 watchers
Antique 1840 Bronze & Marble *astral Oil Lamp* & Prisms$105.50 Ends Wednesday 6 bids 62 watchers
Victorian Banquet Gwtw Oil Kerosene Lamp Base Roses$104.46 Ends Monday 7 bids 27 watchers
Rare Sandwich Toy Whale Oil Lamp, Free-blown, C. 1828$103.82 Ends Tuesday 6 bids 23 watchers
Rare Gas Station Vintage Oil Filter Motion Lamp Huge !!$103.50 Ends in 23 hours 2 bids 10 watchers
Roman Oil Lamp, 2nd Century Ad By C. Oppius Restitutus$103.50 Ends in 9 hours 11 bids 10 watchers
Rare Aladdin Deep Ruby Red Short Lincoln Drape Oil Lamp$99.99 Ends Tuesday 1 bid 33 watchers
Super Rare! Eapg Apple Sauce Oil Lamp Adams$99.99 Ends Wednesday 1 bid 28 watchers
Cambrian 5817 Copper Brass Ships Oil Lamp/lantern$99.00 Ends Tuesday 1 bid 2 watchers
Old Original 10" Aladdin #501 Oil Lamp Glass Shade Nr$99.00 Ends Sunday 1 bid 17 watchers
Yellow Etched Glass Kerosene Oil Lamp Shade Duplex / Cd$95.85 Ends Tuesday 5 bids 55 watchers
Antique Aladdin Honeycomb Oil Hurrican Glass Lamp Light$92.50 Ends Tuesday 1 bid 14 watchers
Library Oil Lamp Circa 1880 1900$91.00 Ends in 19 hours 10 bids 15 watchers
Victorian Canary Yellow Cased Glass Antique Oil Lamp$90.99 Ends Sunday 5 bids 23 watchers
Aladdin Antique Corinthian Oil Lamp Great Shape$89.99 Ends in 9 hours 1 bid 6 watchers
Six Antique Kerosene/oil Lamps Nutmeg Little Buttercup$87.00 Ends in 7 hours 8 bids 39 watchers
Aladdin Oil Lamp,w/ Shade & All Parts To Use, V.g. Cond$85.00 Ends Tuesday 15 bids 59 watchers
Aladdin Oil Lamp B-110 White Moonstone Corinthian$80.00 Ends Sunday 6 bids 28 watchers
Antique Oil Kero Cranberry Pink Glass Lamp Cast Iron 99$79.12 Ends in 15 hours 6 bids 65 watchers
Figural Stem Oil Lamp Large Font No Reserve$79.00 Ends Sunday 1 bid 5 watchers
C. 1860 Antique Bullseye Flint Glass Kerosene Oil Lamp$78.00 Ends in 5 hours 4 bids 23 watchers
Venetian Cranberry & White Stripes Oil Lamp Glass Shade$76.21 Ends Wednesday 1 bid 11 watchers
19thc Bronze Hindu Altar Oil Lamp - Nr$76.05 Ends Sunday 10 bids 15 watchers
P&a Banner #3 Hanging Country Store Kerosene Oil Lamp $76.00 Ends in 3 hours 5 bids 39 watchers
Antique Aladdin Washington Drape Oil Lamp Mod. B Burner$75.00 Ends Sunday 5 bids 25 watchers

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Recent News: Oil Lamps

Source: Google News

Healdsburg Museum exhibit opens. “From Cabin to Craftsman, 100 Years of ...
Santa Rosa Press Democrat, March 19th

On loan from Darla Budworth, a marble-topped chest and an 1840s converted oil lamp. Darla Williams Budworth is one of those generous supporters...Read more

Kerr: Eleanor Roosevelt on the line
Stafford County Sun, March 19th

What thrills me is finding an item, however basic, that represents some unique part of our American experience: an old railroad oil lamp (came in handy...Read more

Get through hard chores with these simple tips
Bonner County Daily Bee, March 18th

If you are washing delicate glass in your sink; such as oil lamp chimney. Place a large towel in the bottom of the sink before you fill the sink with water...Read more

Berdine's offers a shop back in time
American Profile, March 18th

“I remember getting gifts for my mom, a little oil lamp and hankies.” Store manager and cashier Karen Harper, 46, still rings up oil lamps and floral cotton...Read more

Dog Starts House Fire
WLKY Louisville, March 17th

The Advocate-Messenger of Danville quoted Anthony Garn, of Bryantsville, who said the dog jumped up on him Monday morning, knocking over an oil lamp...Read more

Fire Destroys Garrard County Home
LEX18 Lexington KY News, March 15th

Firefighters believe an over-turned oil lamp sparked the fire on Old Bryantsville Road. A teenager was in the home at the time but she was able to get out...Read more

Science Corner: An Idea for the Ages
The Rotunda, March 2nd

With a heavy sigh you put the book down and stand up and start to fiddle with the oil lamp beside you on the desk. Before the lamp can be lit there is a...Read more

Scented oil lamp prompts lesson in botany
The Beacon, February 24th

I am sitting in my living room and it is filled with the enticing fragrance of jasmine. The aroma is coming from a decorative lamp that burns scented oil...Read more

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