Lamps.com, the new online service dedicated to period lighting, held its first live auction on October 31st in Independence, Ohio before a large and enthusiastic crowd of nearly 250 people.  The event was also closely attended. via eBay, with some 500 online bids recorded.

The sale, held at the Holiday Inn, was hosted by Berner's Auctions and called by Jacob Berner.  As expected, on hand was a highly diverse assemblage of table lamps, hanging lamps, floor lamps, assorted fixtures and shades from major, minor and even obscure makers.  A rainbow of visual interest, the array might well have served as a meaningful primer on the subject – which purpose it likely served beautifully for novice collectors in attendance.

Not surprisingly results echoed a familiar pattern, with choice Tiffany models scoring the highest marks. The sale's top lot was a spectacular 27in Tiffany hanging lamp in the Nasturtium pattern ($143,700 w/15% buyers premium), followed by a striking 22in drophead Dragonfly table lamp at $103,500.  Other Tiffany examples performing predictably and well were 16in Acorn and Pomegranate table lamps that made $16,100 and $12,650 respectively.

In addition to the Tiffany examples mentioned, others also scored well – as did many models from other makers, major and minor alike.

Among the Handel lamps offered, an 18in Bailey Scenic table lamp made $8,625 while a beautifully stylized 24in painted overlay panel lamp showing cattails reached a strong $16,100.

Duffner & Kimberly also had its notable bright spots.  A 20in D&K Grape Trellis hanging shade soared to $18,600 while a 22in table lamp in the waterlily pattern made $10,200.

In covering the waterfront of period lighting, Lamps.com also presented many interesting, excellent quality devices by makers known mostly, if not only, by enthusiasts – with many of these reaching levels normally associated with such as Handel and Pairpoint.. A sampling of these would include a 26in Suess swirling geometric table lamp that made $11,500; a 24in Wilkinson Peony table lamp that cruised to $12,075; a 26in Morgan jeweled Grape Trellis shade that lit up to $5,750; and an 18in Poppy model by Moe Bridges that made a respectable $6,900. 

 

Asked about these less well-known makers Dean Lowry, one of Lamp.com's two partners, noted that period lighting is still in a discovery phase: "Everybody's heard of the big names, but as you look deeper you realize that many makers contributed – and each has its own historical place.  As more information surfaces, and it still does, the value of these examples will increase with awareness."

One good example of this would be a Tulip model table lamp by Whaley – hardly a household name at present – that still made a very respectable $4,025.

For those unfamiliar, Lamps.com, was founded last Spring by Dean and Howard Booher.  Lowry is best known for the many years he spent as Head of Lighting at the John Fontaine Gallery, in Pittsfield, MA., while Booher is a long-time advanced collector and dealer based in Cleveland, Ohio. The overall idea of the site is to ‘put the world of period lighting at the collector's fingertips' – a convenient, online ‘place to go' for information or to buy or sell various lighting devices.  Response has been strong, as it was to the first live auction.

"Being our first sale, we didn't know what to expect" said Dean after the sale. "And it was a great day -- we met a lot of old customer-friends and a lot of new faces, too...people we'd met only online since starting up.  Put lighting people and some good lamps together in a room, and it's hard not to have a good time".

Booher chimed in with a complimentary thought: "From the first, we thought having an occasional live event might add a personal dimension to the online service – put names and faces together, and deepen what might only be email relationships.  That's pretty much just what happened."

Next Auction Scheduled For April

Given the success of the November event, Lamps.com has scheduled its second sale for April, 2005.  Consignments are already being accepted for this event, which is expected to once again take place in Independence.

As Lamp.com's site is still evolving and frequently updated with new information and lamps-for-sale, those interested are urged to log on regularly to stay abreast of opportunities. To make a direct inquiry, for an appraisal or appointment, call Dean Lowry at (603) 759-6235, or Howard Booher at (330) 714-9950.

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