I am in the process of writing a coffee table book on Mantle Luster Lamps from  the 1800s to 1960s and fake reproductions. Please consider reading the following rules and hints before buying mantle lusters. First- Most all luster , mantle lusters, luster lamps, were mostly made to be electric. Unfortunatly, many antique dealers would strip down the tarnished  brass filagree base and disgard them as junk.  I had whittnessed this a few times in some shops! I was horrified !So when you see lusters on e bay or any where else, more  thank likely they were electic at one time, trust me on this. Also,  The very very early lusters lke 1800 mossers ,usually hand painted with flower or camio desings, those lusters were made strickly as ornamental for tops of mantels. Not electricfied. The clear crystal lusters you may see from time to time,  are usually from he 1950s and up to  the 60s, they came mounted on a wide thick brass  filagree base. and a tall barral drum shade that was help up by a harp mounted inside the luster chimeny. I have 100s of illistartions and photos of many variations of lusters-mantel lamps ranging from the 1800s to 1960s. Now.. Please beware of the much newer lusters with the flash coloring  to look like glass overlay, these are asian imports that are pretty, but not nearly as valuable and costly. But  some try  to pass these on as old antique lusters to unknowing collectors, how sad. So any one who may be reading my review , and feels they may need assisitance in buying a luster , luster lamp , or mantle lamp , from e bay or a shop, feel free to contact me at any time  for further advise if needed.I will be happy to be of service and help At NO charge.  I just want to be able  to pass on and share what knowlege I have gained from age 16 years old till today over 70 yrs old.I feel confident to say I may know more than your average collector on  This particular subject matter.May I add I do see many upstanding sellers on e bay that are honest, exspensive , but honest.  you get what you pay for. I do have a vairaty of Luster lamps available for sale if anyone may be interested. Yes the (real deal here)  Ionly sell my luster lamps as pairs only.I never seperate them ! Due to experience and collecting on this  as well.  E mail me at  WESTWORLDONE  AT YAHOO DOT COM   if you may need further help or directions on this subject before making an exspensive purchase and possible exspensive mistake. Thank you and bless you  , have a great day and happy hunting to all., Mike  PS please see some pictures i attached , i have more available with explanations.the two lamps in the photo set in my formal parlor are for sale  at $1,500.oo true antiques and in very good condition. remeber , you get what you pay for.just e mail me with your correct e mail address and i will send better close up photos , thank you. they are cobalt blue with overlayed white  art glass with lots of hand painted florals and  gold leafing all original , prisims are 7 1/2 to 8 in long 20 total. lamp hight 37 inches with shades, shades are a silk, egg shell ,ribbed, embroided, frindged ,tassled, glass crystal ball finial top. shades alone cost 200.oo each in 2000. they are the original style yes they are! the original ones were way beyond repair unfortunatly, i seen them, all moth eaten, sadly... I was fortunate enough to find these at a fine  shop in NYC  on  fifth ave.