posted on September 1, 2000 04:54:20 PM
I have this lamp with this do-hickie on top. The lamp base looks like carnival glass but I am not sure. It LOOKS like gold irridecent carnival glass but the entire lamp is actually made of some irridecent milkly looking glass that does not look like milkglass in the form that I know it. I have NO idea what I am talking about. Can anyone help me? I know that is is a very old lamp (1940's or 50's) and not some cheap painted thing. It is very heavy. How do I describe it? Ideas?
posted on September 1, 2000 05:03:47 PM
It is an Alladin lamp more than likely from the 30's or 40's. I can't help a lot with the price other than it should go for more than $75.00 maybe a lot more. Check to see if it is signed on th bottom rims.
The top "do hickey" is called a finial, and that in and by itself is a desirable item. Don't split them up though! It's a great looking lamp. Not called milkglass, appears to be "alacite". There's quite a few Alladin collectors out there, especially for the oil lamps, but you should be happy with the bids on this one, as long as it is in good shape, no major defects.
posted on September 1, 2000 07:24:42 PM
Aladdin alacite lamps were made from 1939 - 1953.
Alacite lamps made from 1939 to 1945 contained Uranium.
Use a ulrtraviolte black light & if it causes the glass to glow, it will contain uranium & command a much higher price. My guess it will not. Also check the finial.
The finial is common & is also made of alacite. The shade, also looks to be original.
The Alacite lamp bottom was made in Alexandria, Indiana. The electrical parts were assimbled in Muncie,Indiana.
posted on September 1, 2000 07:37:11 PM
WOW jt you could come to my town and find me some lamps with do-hickys ontop gold milk like for me if you want.
I wont complan hahaha !!!!
just a quick note my brother last week had a auction up with I think was an oil lamp of this type high bid ended $565.00
WWW.dman-n-company.com
[ edited by dman3 on Sep 1, 2000 07:39 PM ]
posted on September 1, 2000 08:11:18 PM
Gee thanks for all the specifics. We bought an entire house contents and I have made the investment back just on a two weekend garage sale. I am pleased to hear that this is good piece and will be happy for even a small price. We nearly killed ourselves moving it all and had to bring it all in to our own home which has been a complete nightmare for 2 weeks. We ARE in this for our living so what we make isn't actually "cream". It's called "income" and it pays the bills exclusively. Now that I have made my investment, I can begin to strive for a profit.
You people are just REMARKABLE with your knowledge...and I am glad that I didn't let this go at the yard sale for $10. (I was tempted to but I kinda' liked it a little.)
I don't have a black light on hand so I will hold it and get one to check just in case.
posted on September 5, 2000 09:21:26 PM
Dear Fred, (Anyone seen Fred?)
I don't know what I am looking for exactly.
I got a black light and I definitely have glowing flecks all over it though the ENTIRE lamp does not glow. The flecks glow brilliant green and red in the lamp and the do-hickie glows all over.
I have sold all my geiger counters for the moment (I might get one anyday)...but do you think that I can safely say it contains uranium then?
Ideas for wording? I have never done this before so I am a little in the the dark.
"URANIUM LAMP WITH GLOWY DO-HICKIE OUUU!!"
Thanks in advance if you see this and reply.
T
Also can I quote you on the dates and manufacture and stuff? You know them to be correct? I assume you got this from a very reliable sounce. I really need to do well on this lamp.
[ edited by jt on Sep 5, 2000 09:25 PM ]
posted on September 6, 2000 08:46:49 AM
JT, this is the correct date, when aladdin made Alacite lamps with Uranium.
1939 -1942. Not 1939 to 1945.
The lamp was made in Alexandria, Indiana.
Under a black light in a dark room, the lamp, if it has uranium in the mixture, will emitt a yellow greenish glow.
The finial will do the same.
I would not be a good quote for reference, but how ever, J.W, Couter has a book on Aladdin Electric Lamps or you could vist the many wonderful Aladdin Collector sites on the internet.
posted on September 6, 2000 09:45:34 AM
There are "finial" collectore out there, who pay big $$$$ for original and unusual finials. Often, they can be worth more than the lamp itself...
******************** Shosh http://www.oldandsold.com/cgi-bin/auction.cgi?justdisp&Rifkah
