Vintage Metal Floor Lamps c. 1947

I have two vintage floor lamps from my parents that I want to sell. They were from the house my father built in 1947 (northeast Ohio), so I assume that was the date of purchase. (I remember them in the house in the 1950s.) This is the swing arm lamp, which still has the original milk glass shade/diffuser. On the bottom is number 1025. The base has rust on the bottom and tarnish/wear where visible. (See pictures.) Plug looks like it was replaced. I read on the internet that in the 1940s wiring was cloth insulated so I suspect the wiring also was replaced. I also read that some of these lamps were cast iron/brass alloy. Given the rust, I assume that might be the metal. Height: 48 inches, with glass globe 49 ½ inches. Diameter of base: 10 ½ inches.

Does anyone have any ideas about these? Manufacturer? Material/metal? Rewired or not? What is the proper name for the glass? I have read shade, globe, and diffuser.

I know Antiquers does not value items, but sometimes members have words of wisdom on that subject. Prices for 1940s lamps on eBay & Etys are all over ($15 to $700). The high-end ones are more ornate. The lamps are now in northeast Tennessee, near North Carolina & Virginia. I have no idea how to package and ship something like this, so I was thinking of local pickup only, but offering to have UPS package & ship at the buyer’s expense. Any ideas on packing/shipping? Would there be a market for these?

Not sure if I should start a second thread for the other lamp but I think it would be better to keep them together so I will add it in a post below.

 

This is the second c. 1947 floor lamp. On the underside of the base in raised letters are the words “National Lighting and Equipment Co. 10 ½”. Lamp height: 53½ inches. Diameter of base: 11½ inches. Weight: approximately 20 lb. Same questions, except I do have manufacturer’s name. According to their website, they were founded in 1941 and are still operating. Is that a “desirable” manufacturer for someone collecting vintage lamps?

 

The rust you are seeing is the cast iron weight in the base. The base itself may be brass plated steel or brass. But most retail lamps in that era are plated. There could be brass risers and column spacers on them, and/or plated pot metal. Many of these were just pieced together in manufacturing from sourced parts.

The base appears to be varnished, and the finish looks to be suffering the same fate as many floor lamps from that era that have varnished plating. But, the pics aren't real clear to tell for sure. The finish tends to get blistered over time and you can't polish it to help. It would need to be stripped off and re-sealed.

I don't see any great value in these torchiere lamps in the collector realm as there is nothing that gives them any unique character. People with period homes that want to furnish with period pieces may want them. If you want to sell them, I'd try the local market to see if there is any interest. Facebook Marketplace would my first suggestion. eBay local pickup is usually a complete waste of time. And forget about shipping, especially if you go to UPS. It will cost more than what the lamp is worth.

If the local market is a bust, you could try and part them out on eBay by selling the milk glass shades, the bases, the columns spacers, etc.

 

I too don't see a lot of collector interest here.

Debora

 

Thanks. It may not be what I want to hear, but I prefer the truth.

 

Thank you.

 

I'm using the first one's sibling as we speak. It has stone in the base instead of a weight. but the rest is identical. It came out of my dad's childhood house before I was born.

 

Mine date to the year after I was born. Dad built our first house house & then furnished it right after I was born. The lamps moved with us & were given to me when I had my first unfurnished apt in grad school. Dad built some furniture for me; other pieces were passed down, & I am still using many.