The Killer Mobile Device for Victorian Women
If These Shirts Could Talk: The Tantalizing Tales Behind Used Clothes
Gloriously Grotesque 19th-Century Pipes
In the Hot Seat: Is Your Antique Windsor a Fake?
Bizarro Beauty Products, from 1889 to Now
Love at First Kite: How Pizza and Pente Led to One Oklahoman's High-Flying Obsession
Pin-Up Queens: Three Female Artists Who Shaped the American Dream Girl
Say Ahhh: An Oral Surgeon's Quest to Reimagine the Garage-Band Guitar
Tokens for Sweethearts, in Times of War
American Picker Dream, Part I: Mike Wolfe On His Love Affair With Bikes
Antique and vintage lamps span a broad spectrum, including well known-styles like Victorian and slag glass and leading names like Tiffany, Handel, and Aladdin. Values vary greatly and reproductions abound, so do your homework.
The earliest type of lamp, the oil lamp, was a simplistic vessel with an absorbent wick. These were mass-produced starting in the 19th century. Manufacturers typically made the metal base and burner and bought the glass from another manufacturer.
Between the 1840s and the early 1900s, during the Victorian era, oil lamps and candelabras coexisted with early electric lamps. In 1908, Aladdin Industries Inc. created the Aladdin lamp, an oil lamp so bright that no one was able to find another oil lamp that compared, despite Aladdin's offer of a thousand dollars if they could...
The biggest development in lamps toward the end of the 1800s was the growing popularity of ornate glass lampshades, often with floral imagery. Lamps started to become a decorative, rather than just functional, item. Slag glass (pressed glass with milky stripes), for example, became popular in England and America, and many lamp companies used it to create beautiful lamp shades.
Decorative table and floor lamps reached the height of their popularity in the U.S. in the first two decades of the 20th century, spurred by the success of Tiffany and its Arts and Crafts and Art Nouveau competitors, like Handel.
Tiffany and others made bronze and gilt-bronze lamp bases, often simulating plants or tree trunks, and floral or other naturalistic art glass shades with colorful iridescent glass pieces leaded together. Thousands of Tiffany lamps were made, and they're highly collectible today. By the 1920s, many lamp designers had started to shift to Art Deco styles, characterized by angular lines and squared glass or paper shades. Also common were deco figural lamps with stems made to look like people.
Post WWII, mid-century lamps tended to be simpler (Eames), sillier (TV lamps) or groovier (lava lamps). Eames lamps were often made of metal and featured long, narrow, and sometimes wavy stems. Lamps with multiple bulbs and lamps with swiveling necks were also common. So-called TV lamps were also popular in the 1950s. Typically made of ceramic or plaster, these were backlit decorative sculptures created in the shape of animals, people, and plants.
Lava lamps, an icon of the 1960s and 70s, combined heated wax, chemicals, and dyed water to create lava-like imagery. Lava lamps were used more for decoration than for lighting.
Interviews & Articles
Tiffany Lamp Appraiser Arlie Sulka: An Interview with Collectors Weekly
When I was an art history major in college, there were very few programs that had a concentration in the decorative arts. So when … [more]
Antique Oil Lamps and Chimneys
My grandparents were antique collectors all their lives, their whole house was furnished in antiques. They had a lot of oil lamps … [more]
Tacky Treasures: TV Lamps of the 1950s
I’ve always had an interest in the tackier artifacts of the 1950s and '60s. The cheesy stuff, the kitsch. Old B movies, monster an… [more]
Burglars Horror
Some years ago a police commissioner in a large city offered the practical suggestion that one small electric light bulb left on w… [more]
Best of the Web (“Hall of Fame”)
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]
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
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
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
Terry Marsh’s beautiful showcase of gas-pressure lanterns, lamps, stoves, irons, and heaters from the 1920s o… [read review or visit site]
Clubs & Associations: Lamps
Other Great Reference Sites: Lamps
Top eBay Auctions
Tiffany Studios Bronze Table Lamp Base # 587
Antique Handel Lamp Shade(sunset Glass) Palm Metal Overlay
Antique Hanging Oil Lamp
Heintz Japanesque Table Lamp
Stunning 1920s French Art Deco Wrought Iron Glass Table Lamp, Edgar Brandt Era
Angelo Lelli For Arredoluce Iconic Cobra Lamp
Rare Antique Amber-globed Brass Skater's Or Hurricane Lantern/mini Oil Lamp 
Rare Royal Worcester Figural Cricklite Fairy Lamp - Complete
Antique Deco Chrome & Bakelite Diana Nude Lady Lamp,stepped Glass Shade - 61 Cm
Rare Brass Optimus No 930 300 Cp Kerosene Lantern Lamp With Original Glass
Antique Cranberry Opalescent Thousand Eyes Miniature Oil Lamp, S1-510
Arteluce Eames Stilnovo Adjustable Lamp- Black Shade Bauhaus Mid Century Deco 
Pair Vintage 1950s Italian Pottery Mid Century Modern Bitossi Raymor Eames Lamps
Italian Murano Art Glass Turquoise & 24 Gold Midcentury Lamps Pair 
Vintage Blenko Lp-17 Lamp - 1956 - Amber - Scarce!
*fenton*~trysting Place~reverse Hand Painted Lamp~limited 263/750~signed~
Rare Vtg Pair 2 Modaluce Murano Sculptural Italian Glass Mid Century Modern Lamp
Columbus Model 21 With Lamp And Ashtrays Ca 1934
Rare Vintage Pair Blue Italian Murano Glass Hanging Lamps Chandelier Barovier
Lamps: Art Deco Bohemian Art-deco Crystal Candelabras/lusters W/prisms
Beautiful Rare Red Satin Glass Octagon Lamp By Pittsburgh
Lovely Salem Brothers Slag Glass Panel Lamp
Antique Very Rare O C White Cast Iron Claw Foot Lamp Base With Pole As Presented
Antique Slag Glass Lamp Reverse Painted 6 Panel Rose Pattern Columns Dual Light
Marbro Alabaster Table Lamps Pair
Antique Miller Carmel & Blue Slag Glass Stained Glass/leaded Lamp
Antique One Of A Kind Art Deco Gerdago Harlequin Pixi Lamp Red W/round Globe
Important Mid Century Italian Murano Pineapple Art Glass Lamp C 1940
Four Vintage 1913 Clipper Ship Lamp Bronze Brass Lantern Lamp No.1255 Scotland 
Fancy Nickel Cigar Saloon Store Countertop Oil Lamp Light Lighter Parts Restore
Antique Old Vintage Atrs & Crafts Handel Leaded Slag Stained Glass Lamp - Nr
Handel Leaded Arts Crafts Mission Slag Glass Bradley Hubbard Tiffany Lamp Era Nr
French Industrial Lamp Jielde
Vintage Victorian Abp Cut Glass American Brilliant Mushroom Lamp Hawkes Era
New Circle Crystal Pendant Lamp Hanging Light Raindrop Chandelier Led Lighting
100cm Modern Contemporary Crystal Pendant Lamp Ceiling Light Chandelier Lighting
Antique Vintage Slag Stained Glass Handel Era Lamp W/tiffany Syle Base
1950s Moorcroft Orchid Design Lamp Signed
Antique Blue Opalescent Thousand Eyes Miniature Oil Lamp, S1-510
Antique 20s Bronzed Metal 16" Curved Caramel Slag Glass Table Lamp 050456
Apple Cherry Blossom Gold 10" Fitter Lamp Student Parlor Gwtw Tam Oshanter Shade
Gubi Grasshopper Floor Lamp Salmon Lighting Modern Dwr Design Within Reach
Vintage Fiber Optic Lamp By Fantasia 70's Mod Kinetic Space Age Op Art 
Vintage Mek-elek Industrial Lamp, Machinists Lamp 1930's Factory Light, Ww2 Era
All Original Harvard Student Lamp In Oil 1890's
Gwtw Ormolu Metal Filigree Gone With The Wind Hurricane Lamp. 18-1900's
Baccarat Electrified Hurricane Lamps With Prisms
3 Waterford Table Lamps Crystal Glass Ireland W Labels Box Large 28" Tall 3
Ooak? Test Run? Vintage Breyer Hereford Nightlight And Lamp Combo! No Reserve!
Original White Ph5 Lamp Poul Henningsen / Louis Poulsen Denmark - All Genuine
French Vintage - Tall Elegant 1950's Glass Sky-scaper Bullet Bedside Table Lamp
Marchesa Table Lamp, Capiz Shell, 26in, Crystal Base, Buttercream Shade, Couture
Antique Czechoslovakia Beaded Glass Fruit Lamp C1920
Rare Imhof Annular Time Lamp Clock No Reserve Running Strong Excellent Accurate
Rare Antique Consolidated Lamp Blue Elite Princess Banquet/miniature Oil Lamp
Signed Plb&g Co Antique Slag Glass Lamp
Pair Theodore Alexander Blockfront Kneehole Desks Or Lamp Tables Or Night Stands
Fenton Cobalt Blue Glass Desk Lamp 10in Student Lamp
Vintage Original Art Deco Green Catalin Bakelite Table Lamp
Vintage Art Deco Table Lamp
Recent News: Lamps
Source: Google News
Lamp collectors covet fine pieces from the golden age of cut glass
Chicago Tribune, May 24thQ: Any info on this antique lamp I bought at an estate sale? There was no information furnished with it. I thought it was pretty. It's 27 inches tall, not including the chimney. A: The reader adds that the lamp has been electrified by a lamp shop. I'm...Read more
Police/Fire Reports: May 19, 2013
Columbia Daily Herald, May 18thReported missing were four Zebco fishing poles with reels, a tackle box with assorted tackle, 15 porcelain dolls, 150 WWF figurines, a folding chair, an antique lamp and two small electric heaters with a total estimated value of $1,945. Burglary of a...Read more
Plan Your Garage Sale Trip Using Our List
Patch.com, May 15thClothes, furniture, books, holiday items, games, toys, cook books, platters, lamps, yard tools, antique lamp, stuffed animals, pool toys, more. FRIDAY. 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., 2151 Wildspring Parkway, Joliet (half mile west of Caton Farm/Ridge Road...Read more
Edison Light Globes | Vintage Industrial Brass Small Table Lamp
stupidDOPE.com, May 14thThe solid brass body is put together and finished with antique plating to keep tarnishing to a minimum. The braided cord is 3 core quality and comes in a variety of colors. The Edison vintage lamp will run buyers about $200. Purchasers can add a dimmer...Read more
Take the formal edge off with zany color, pattern
Sioux City Journal, May 10thSculptors Bill Finks and wife Marcia travel the globe exhuming oddments like old dolls heads and limbs, tin toys and vintage lamp parts to reassemble into unsettling -- and undeniably original -- artworks that have been featured in such chi-chi stores...Read more
Now, you can 'print' a real guitar or a gun that fires live bullets
Hindustan Times, May 10thYou can now "print" almost anything - a customised mobile phone cover, a replica of that antique lamp shade you broke and haven't yet. found a replacement for and, even, a prosthetic ear. Best of all, you can build them according to your desire - an...Read more
Edison Lamps: A Good Old Fashioned Vintage Lamp
Gizmodo, May 9thStarting at $205, the lamps are totally customizable. There are three different choices of bulb shape—traditional, teardrop, or globular. You can also add a dimmer (for $38 more), and pick out the color of cable you'd like. The Edisons make a nice...Read more
The Vintage Lamp
Huffington Post, April 27thMost folks in town described Anita Perkins with peculiar detail. A few could talk about Anita for up to three hours without repeating a story, many could hold an audience while three consecutive beers were consumed at Taylor's Saloon, but just about...Read more