ANTIQUE LAMPS (Deco, Nouveau, Tiffany, Duffner & Kimberley, Miller, Eames, Handel, Moreau, Causse, Bradley & Hubbard, Frankart etc.)

This is a summary to get you started, and so that you do not waste your money.

Reproductions vs. Originals ?

When buying Antique Lamps make sure that you can view the signature, stamp or marking, rather than taking someone's word for it. There are some good Reproductions out there, but compare them with others first, where a Dale Tiffany Reproduction for instance is better than a cheap imitation Reproduction - unless you are after the real thing. Talking of Originals, some Sellers say Antique 'Style' or Miller 'Style' or Tiffany 'Era', but that does not mean these are genuinely old lamps. Ask for more pictures if you are unsure. Also ask your nearest Antique dealer to assist you. If there is a mark, signature or stamp, then compare it to other items for sale by going to Google (to a non-eBay site) or better still, an antique dealer - because genuine / original lamps like Tiffany especially, are seldom sold on eBay.

Please check other Guides on eBay for the specific type of lamp you are looking at, for instance, if you are wanting to buy a Frankart, you will see in the Frankart Guide that the lamp should have a stamp saying 'Frankart Inc.' and a Patent Number and a Year (Date). This way, you can obtain the exact information for the type of lamp you want to bid on.

PACKAGING

Make sure they pack the lamp very well, with polystyrene on all sides of the box, where they must separate all the parts ie: shade and base and anything else, so that they cannot bump into each other and cause them to be smashed during shipping. Do not accept light bulbs in the fixtures as these can often rattle, come lose and damage the shade. Make sure the Seller also includes a note to Customs on top of the inside packaging saying "If you inspect, please handle with care and out back into original wrapping the way you found it" - otherwise they could just dump it back into the box outside of its cushioned wrapping.

VOLTAGE

Any lamp will work anywhere in the world as it can be re-wired to fit any plug. Voltage is not a problem, for you will find a matching bulb (globe) for your country's voltage - so this is not a problem. I've bought over 20 lamps on eBay.

Hope my own experience above helps you. Happy eBaying ! Mark Rose-Christie