Hi , I'm Lisa Ann, also known as lisanagain on eBay! Happy April Showers 2008 !

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Hello to everyone who wants to collect Vintage Motion Lamps!   My father collected these entertaining novelty lamps throughout my childhood, and I grew to love them as much as he did. When my Dad passed on, he left me his fountain of Youth Roto-vue, and the forest fire! I have been collecting them ever since!    Motion Lamps were made from the 1920's through the present! Most vintage motion lamps on the market are from the 1930's through the early 1960's . ( There are also lamps from the 70's through the 90's, but I like the older ones best!)  

PLEASE NOTE: I do NOT claim to be an expert, only an enthusiast! I am always eager to learn more, and welcome your questions and comments!

BASIC CONSTRUCTION and DESIGN 

Most Motion Lamps have a circular lamp base, a verticle double layered outer lamp shade which has one with outside picture on it and another inner shade which has opaque and clear motion details on it (these two shades are attached and appear as one shade.).

 Inside the lamp is a seperate "spinner" shade which usually balances on a metal pin above the light bulb. The pin is a metal wire like "post" attached inside the lamp, shaped to go around and above the light bulb, then pointed on the top. be careful, they are sharp!  Once the spinner is set properly on the pin, the heat of the light bulb rising causes the spinner shade to rotate. The top of the spinner shade has "fins" which work like fan blades.  The top of the inner "Spinner" shade  has a center  BEARING! This is what the needle rising above the light bulb "sits into" it keeps the spinner centered and allows it to spin freely. Without the bearing, many lamps will not spin.     As the inner SPINNER shade rotates, the picture on the outer shade comes alive!  Most use a 40 watt clear bulb or lower wattage for safety. Clear bulbs show details better!

TYPES and BRANDS

Earliest Motion Lamps: Scene-in-Action..and Rev-o-lite

Scene-in-Action Corporation was one of the earliest producers of Motion lamps. They started in 1925 and were in operation until 1936.. This was a very difficult time to have a business, as we know the Great depression started in 1929 and ran for many years..  It is believed that the people who took over bought out the remaining stock, and became Rev-o-lite Corp 

Although they only lasted a decade, their lamps set the standard, and are very fine additions to any collection. These lamps are largely constructed with metal bases and tops, and have glass shades with inner celulois sleaves, or two glass layers on the picture frame models such as Japanese Twilight, and The Serenader.  Their Forst Fire with Log Cabin #41 is absolutely fabulous, with what is considered the very best animation effects of any motion lamp fire scene ever. The colors are very intense, and the lovely details on top and base are incredible. This lamp and it's sister lamps Niagra Falls #43 , and Budha 1931 (the latter being so rare I havve never seen one anywhere except in a book..) have another feature that is unique to them alone. That is a round velted dish with place on the center for scented oit or incense. When you burn a small cone of incense in the top while lamp is going, you WILL be amazed at how rising smoke from the lamp's top vents makes the scene so realistic as to be breathtaking!   Of course, that is my opinion, you'll have to get one and see for yourself..  This piece is usually missing though, so be careful to ask if it is present before rushing to bid.. Replacing this piece alone can be expensive.

   When Rev-o-lite took over they crated a pagoda like metal lamp with window panels containing the scenes.. These lamps are truly special, and very hard to come by.  Then there are the Framed flat panel shade lamps which are absolutely phenomenal, like #42 japanese twilight, Serenader #44, and Colonial Fountain #46..  These have metal 3 dimensional front frames, glass paneled scenes, glass motion panel, with spinner housing in back..  AWSOME!!

The two major makers were Econolite, and L.A. Goodman

One of the two  most popular vintage brands is ECONOLITE and these were mostly made in New York, or Los Angeles California.  Some lamps picture Water Falls, (often Niagra Falls!) and the water appears to be really flowing down into glistening pools below, Also the clouds in the sky appear to be floating by.  I have seen several different versions of the Niagra Falls Lamp.  It seems to be the most abundant and available vintage motion lamp for sale by all brands. It is an excellent choice for a new collector, and can often be purchased at the most reasonable price.   These go for lower prices than morerare lamps, but they are absolutely lovely! Don't pass a nice one by! The motion is calming and romantic..        Forest Fire Lamps are also popular! There are several by Econolite and L.A. Goodman, and every maker produced at least one version. These are also fairly easy to find at reasonable prices. The action is very realistic as the forest fire appears to engulf the trees, the smoke billowing is also a fantastic realistic effect on these lamps. Many have creeks, tall trees, and animals. Some have log cabins, and the older 1920's Ignition Co. lamp has teepees, and a person on horseback! (a  more rare , Art-Deco styled  lamp!) This is one of  only 2 Native American themed lamps I have seen. Econolite has one as well, though I have never seen one for sale!  

IGNITION COMPANY

Ignition Co lamps are made of cardboard, but are replicas of oil paintings with printing on inside and outside of outer shade for heightened effects. Ignition only made three lamps, a forest fire, a waterfall, and the Native American Forest Fire. These were made in 1938-1948, and there is debate as to the exact time frame. Magazine ads from the 30's have shown these lamps, and the price was $1 !! The bases and tops are made of pot metal, and they have excellent motion effects.

MOST RARE and My Favorites!

Econolite made a Lovely Large Lamp of New York Harbor featuring The Statue of Liberty, Called Miss Liberty It is a Large 12 inch by 7 inch lamp. These can sell for over $3000 (for a mint one) depending on the timing, and condition of the lamp.  I have been told this is one of Econolites MOST RARE lamps. If you have one, be careful not to let it go too easily! If you find one, GET IT! I consider this lamp one of the best bets for investment.. Note:I have one I inherited and I LOVE IT!!

HERE ARE SOME OF THE MOST RARE AND VALUABLE LAMPS: There is one with 1950's Water Skiing (very rare and goes for lot's of $$ recent one went for unbelievable $3550 .. wowsa!!),  Japanese Festival Gardens (L.A. Goodman) with it's erupting Mount Fuji volcano, is breathtakingly beautiful!  (also very difficult to find)

 There is one I call: Couple by a Fireplace which has a dog curled up too, and the fireplace burns very realistically,  a Grist Mill Scene,  an incredible FireFighter scene, which features the historic Chicago Fires and horse draws firewagons! It can easily sell for $600 or more (I have not owned this one yet)  

      ***Please NOTE: I have seen Prices rise significantly ove the last few years as demand for these lamps increases.. Some lamps that sold for less than $100 are now getting 5 times that, while others are now well into the thousands.. Please do not depend on what I say as to determine the value of any lamp.. I am NOT an expert, and prices on vintage and antique lamps are changing constantly..***

The ever famous and fun "Fountain of Youth" which has a little boy peeing on one side, then Spanish Explorer Ponce Deleon on the other.   There are even some with 1950's Sexy Ladies (Pin-Up Girls) in nearly bare outfits and bathingsuits (I have seen this lamp on eBay recently, and I think it sold for over $350)!

The Winter Scene, which has a church, and features the motion of snow falling always get's top dollar as well. It is made in the mid 1950's . The snow appears to be really falling on the little log cabin.. The Train Race scene lamp is a favorite for vintage train collectors as it features the John Bull and another train racing along the tracks with smoke billowing and wheels spinning as scenery flies by behind them. It is very dramatic and a wonderful lamp. It is made by L.A. Goodman, and is a favorite of train lovers as well as motion lamp enthusiasts. In 2006 a motion lamp of a famous European Fountain went for well over $500!! The seller told me he got it at a junk shop for items he traded worth about $20 !!!  the Our Lady of Guadelupe Lamp which  sold (June 06)..  fetched upwards of $500 WAIT CHECK THAT! One just sold for over $2500.00!! . NOTE: These eBay prices fluctuate, now  in 2008 all these lamps may be worth more!

There are Carousel Lamps from as early as 1928. These are very fun, but fragile with their cardboard tops, but are very valuable with the story book characters painted on the celluloid shade.

The Econolite Jr, Circus lamp is one of the rarest motion lamps too. It usually had the picture flaked off after all these years, so one in good condition is very hard to find. It pictures all the trappings of a great old fashioned circus tent entertainment. It is a smaller lamp, and has a red base.

Another neat lamp by Econolite is the Mother Goose Nursery Ryme Lamp, featuring Hey Diddle Diddle! Complete with dish, spoon, cow,moon, and dog!  Really great for nursery. Made is 1948, and very hard to find, this lamp is a real keeper! . This lamp came in pink and blue. I had one and sold it, and my son still bugs me for doing that! Your kids and grand-kids will all remember these fondly and beg you to leave them to them in your will!

L.A. Goodman is great Motion Lamp maker! Many af the above lamps are by this company which made it's lamps out of Los Angeles California.. These lamps are often the largest.. 11" x 6"  and are also very popular on Ebay. My favorite is the Niagra falls lamp, and The Sailing Ship with Lighthouse Lamp. I also love the Cowboy Camp Fire Lamp, It features a group of cowboys  around a campfire drinking coffee, and a very mysterious waterfall on the other side that almost looks volcanic as it flows. any of these in fine condition can cost you anywhere from $80-$300+ depending on your luck and timing. In fair condition, perhaps some mild warping, or scratching, you may get one under $80, but these are even climbing in value pretty quickly. (I am often surprised when I make what I think is a high bid, and lose! )   Goodman also has some exotic lamps featuring aquarium designs complete with fish, and two with ducks flying! There is also one with butterflies.. a wonderful lamp for a child's room! The shades are rippled as well, with ripply paper in between the two outer shade layers..and thus are hard to find in fine condition. The effect are very soothing, and the rippled shade adds to the effect of the fish really swimming (or birds flying). I have seen these go recently for $200-$350 as they are growing in popularity.

The fish lamp has a 1990's replica, which can be bought for less than $50, and is very nice. I even features the rippled shade. Just be sure that you don't accidently by this lamp thinking it is the 1956 Goodman! (yes I did that once, looked to fast, and bid on impulse!).)

There is a gorgeous lamp featuring the famous race of steam boats down the Mississippi in 1880. This lamp featured the Robert E Lee and Natchez racing along as moonlight glistens on the river and folks look on from the shore. It has incredible detail! The spanish moss hangs softly from the trees, and the movements of the ships on the water are so real!

For the holidays there are the Spinning Christmas Trees and the Spinning Light Toppers which are made of fine cardboard and rest over a pin above a bulb and spin from the heat. These are very popular with collectors, and are usually snatched up quickly. The prices can range greatly simply by the time of year (they go higher just before the holidays and less in summer). These are very special additions to any collection, and are so fun to watch! Expect to pay a high price for a fair somewhat worn example to the $250 plus for ones in great like new condition

Also Econolite has a winter scene with snow falling and a church.. It get's top dollar! The snow is such an amazing effect, soft and so whimsical.

***JUST A NOTE**** I recommend a large Niagra Falls by L.A. Goodman Lamp for a first time buyer, as the colors are absolutely wonderful, pinks and pale oranges and pastels. These often are an excellent value on eBay, and I think this lamp is one of the most lovely of all when going. Also, this lamp ytends to be reasonably priced as it was extremely popular when new, and is now it is fairly common.

Also, there are lamps designed by Aubrey Leech,  known as Econolite Jr  or Roto View lamps..and these are really great! They are smaller lamps, maybe 8" or so tall and 5" wide. They tend to be a little less expensive, and are perfect for a first time buyer, but are becoming more and more popular! They usually feature either Niagra Falls, or a Forest Fire scene., but also can be found with the Fountain of Youth, and other scenes. Don't let the small size, or lower selling price fool you, as these are fabulous lamps with vivid pictures and incredible life like action!   I have found them to sell for as little as $28 and as high as over $100 . , These are a great choice, and they fit on even a narrow shelf, taking up a very small space with a footprint of about 5 inches circular. (These three are the first I owned, gifts from my father, and I treasure them!)

I also have yet to own an Eifel Tower lamp (did I spell that wrong?) And the Fountain of Versi lamp..  I am hoping to see all the lamps in person some day, and I alwayd have my eye peeled for them!

 Also, I have seen THREE movies this past year that had vintage motion lamps featured in scenes!  So keep a look out when at the movies, you may see a Gristmill , or a Japanese pagoda lamp! I wont tell you which movies though..

PROTOTYPES and ODDBALLS

There are UNIQUE and RARE even among the more common lamps. Econolite made Hand Printed Lamps which appear to have a somewhat different material. They are More bright and the colors have excellent saturation, and are not subject to fading like others. They are Mostly Oval lamps, and they are marked Hand Printed on the shade. Apparently there are only a few hundred Hand Printed of each model, and they are prized by collectors. I just learned this recently from a gentlemen who outbid me on a winter scene lamp.. which turned out to be Hand Printed. It is easy to overlook these gems, as I have. They will out last all others, and are worth much more, so if you see one at auction, don't be afraid to spend a bit more for it.

There are also many lamps that are unmarked, and even the experts can't figure out who made them. Some are Canadian and some are European models of Goodman and Econolite, worth just as much! Some are Japanese made, and there are many with milk glass tops and great fish bowl effects. These are often from the 1940's and are a real treat when found. I had one with a music box in it, and have found several with unique pagoda designs and other special features. These are very valuable, and should not be overlooked.

BUYING TIPS

-REMEMBER: Always try to get a lamp with all the spinners, as they aren't as easy to come by as people say (in my experience), and you may pay more for a replacement spinner than you did for the whole lamp!  Although, even with no spinners, these Lamps are usually stunning just as they are, though there will be no movement.   

Warping, cracking and splitting are the downsides of these lamps.  These usually occur due to people using a TOO HOT BULB, that is, TOO HIGH WATT bulb. This not only can warp and damage your lamp, but is also dangerous!  I always recommend using as low a wattage as possible to get the lamp to spin. Start out with a 15 watt clear bulb, and I use the small type bulb, called an appliance bulb (for refrigerators and range hoods) which keeps bulb as far from iner spinner as possible.  .  If this wont get it to spin, go up to a higher wattage... Some lamps require up to 40 watt bulbs, but I NEVER use higher than that!!!!!  (It is common to use 60 watts, but I really think that is too high. If your lamp wont spin with anything less than 60 watts, keep a close eye on it for warping, and never leave it on when you are out of sight) Also, use CLEAR BULBS not frosted ones, as they will allow the pictures to show through the best! frosted bulbs will often cause the design effects to look fuzzy and unclear, especially in fish lamps!

I have had some luck repairing warped and damaged lamps, and many can be adjusted to function well even with considerable damage. Some people maybe can actually undo the warping completely, but I haven't found a way to do it, and am more likely to further damage the lamp. Try to get lamps in WORKING order, that is, the spinner spins, even if there is a little warping.  Some damage is common, and even a crack or denting isn't bad if you can turn that side to the wall and enjoy nice action on the undamaged side.   NOTE: Some lamps, when on, will look wonderful even with a lot of outside warping damage, so ask questions, dont assume it wont look nice..

Scratches on outer shade can be touched up with good enamel paints, although you will likely be able to tell. Still, it is nice to cover places where white light shows through ruining the effect of realism. Permanent markers, although tempting, do not work! The repair must create a thicker opaque covering through which light cannot pass.  

Vintage lamps usually have METAL Bases on the Goodman, and plastic (possibly Bakelite) on the Econolite, but Goodman has some slightly later models(late 1950's to early 1960's)  with plastic. Bases are often tarnished, and I don't worry too much about this if they are complete and solid, but the shinier the better!

Look for lamps imprinted, and usually dated as well, by Scene in Action (very old!) , Leech,  L.A.Goodman,  Econolite,  Ignition Co., and any really old metal and glass lamp that may not have visible names. Lamps are marked on the shades, and sometimes molded into metal parts. Look on the very edge of shades, and remember that printing may be very small.

 The newer models, 1970's to present day, are always plastic in my experience, and the pictures just look less "painted" and more printed, with much sharper edges, and seem to look less realistic to me.  I prefer the older models, and they are worth more $$$ too.  Some people do try to sell newer lamps as vintage, even though they can be bought new in catalogues and even at stores. Usually they might just not know for sure, so research is important if you are paying over $60. That is about what the new Grist Mill reproduction goes for in catalogues, I believe...  Maybe even less! 

The PICTURE FRAMED LAMPS

You can also buy motion lamps that have a flat picture and a nice wood or metal frame on the front, and the spinner and lamp are in the back.. There are many types and picture choices here as well, and they can go for anywhere from $50-$500 depending on age, quality, and timing of sale...   These early 1950's lamps are usually made by Econolite, and were made in early to mid 1950's. They stopped making them I am told to focus on round types. I have owned several picture framed lamps, and they will definitely attract attention! The sailing ship looks like it is really moving across the sea with waves punding the bow, and the automobile appears to move with wheels spinning and background moving past behind it. Also, the Train Engine lamp is fabulous, and they all have incredible 3-d effects, like the picture is coming right out at you!

Even older,approximately 1931.. and more valuable are the Iron Scene-in-Action framed lamps! These are absolutely gorgeous! My favorite features a Gondola scene with amagical looking  castle, moonlit lake, and mountains behind the lovers and their gondolier who are cast in metal along with the lovely frame surrounding the glass front scene. These lamps have several layers of glass with different details on each layer. The front layer containing the actual art work, and two rear panels painted to create motion in the proper places. Behind this is a metal (copper) housing which has the light bulb and spinner apparatus, like other motion lamps. There are several other models that are stunning as well. An extremely popular and hard to find model pictures Mount Fuji and a lake glistening in moonlight. This lamp has True Art Deco styling, and is an absolutely fabulous find. For Old Europe Lovers, there are Victorian lovers beside a classic fountain. The man and woman are cast in metal as is the frame and detailing, the scene is class, an made as the other lamps above. This is most common of the three lamps, but still very rare, and valuable. Look for clear crisp colors.. These are reproductions of actual oil painting, as I have been told! I have found that the seller named Crow50 often has excellent examples of these fine lamps, and I have always been very happy with my purchases from him. 

A FEW MORE HINTS and FACTS

** Many Motion lamps by different makers  can be found in an Oval shape. These are more valuable than the round cousins, as they are slightly more rare.

**Some lamps spin better with their lid off.. so, what the heck.. Let them go topless!

**Watch out for old wires on these lamps, however many are just fine, and often they are rewired!  If in doubt, it's easy to get them updated for safety.

**Of course, original tags, and packaging add to value as well, but if you plan to display rather than hold for resell, you can get a better priced one without the extras.

**If the seller says the lamp is warped, and spinner rubs or gets "stuck" believe them! Sometimes they will mention the possibility of "fixing" this problem , but it is very difficult, and results can be completely disappointing.. In my experience, if the lamp is warped beyond function.. It WON'T function with motion. (You can remove the warped inner shade, if that is what is damaged, and spinner still works, but effects will be completely different than intended for the lamp  and diminished).

There are two books on motion lamps that you can find for sale, They are found by searching MOTION LAMP GUIDE on eBay or Amazon (etc.)  The price of these guides, which are out of print now, can be anywhere from $30-100. They picture many interesting lamps, and lot's of facts. One is by the Samulians, entitled: Collectors Guide to Motion Lamps. 

Another good guide is: Animated Motion Lamps a Price Guide 1920's to Present, by Bill and Linda Montgomery, and also has price estimates from that year. 

NOTE: If you like motion lamps you may LOVE vintage motion clock lamps as well! Do an eBay search for "Vintage Motion Clock" and check out the fire clocks.. they have effects that are amazing, and also come from 1940's-1960's.  Mastercrafters, and United are too brands. Please see my guide on them...

All My Best to everyone!I hope to see you at one of my auctions soon!  I am happy to answer questions, or just chat motion lamps!! 

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