The Mini Museum is complete! The pressure lamp section of this outdoor museum is set up in our store in Traverse City, Michigan. This occasional member just wanted to say thanks to everyone for the knowledge and support. When I started this, I knew very little about lamps, but now I'm hooked! Great site, great hobby!
Was the cabinet specially made for the job? I love the big brass lamp to the left in the top picture. What is it?
Yeah so do I. I have seen dozens of them but they sell for an awesome price. Out of my league and they were never sold in the UK so I am not likely to get lucky over here. ::Neil::
Trust me to pick out the expensive one! What sort of prices are we talking about? And why the misleading name?
The prices might be a bit less now and I could be wrong, but I seem to have a recollection of one at around $1600 or so...
I have seen a few some years back sell for between $2000 and $2400. I have never understood this because they are a damn sight more common than some other Coleman products. ::Neil::
I guess in part because they are so eye-catching, I was drawn to it straight away. However no offense to anyone who does but that is way more than I would ever pay for a lamp... However in many ways I think it's nice to see the value of something like that recognised. It has always irked me a little that some crappy old chair I wouldn't give houseroom too can be worth thousands at yet things of real beauty like some of the lamps I see on these forums can fetch next to nothing. On the other hand if they did fetch the prices they deserve it would sadly price a lot of genuine enthusiasts out of the market.
I think it's all to do with their appearance - most lanterns are just, well, lanterns but an Arc - that's different! Mind, without the globe and cover, even they're just lanterns underneath. Whatever, I'm not about to pay that much for one any time soon - or at all!
You can type quicker than me, Gneiss! One man's meat is another man's poison, beauty is in the eye of the beholder etc., etc...
So true... A while back I came across some hideous glass-work and was absolutely stunned when I was told what people paid for it. If I wasn't aware of it's resale value you would have had to pay me to take it. I've always been fascinated by old scientific instruments, and much like most lamps they don't generally fetch much money relatively speaking. Anyway I've digressed, why are they called "Arc lamps"?
The Arc Lantern in the cabinet is the same one from me posted on this website. (The one with the rusted through bottom--which I decided to leave the way it is and just use for display) Last year, an all brass Arc Lantern was sold for $2,500 USD on Ebay (which I thought was pretty crazy), until last week a nickel plated Arc Lantern that claimed to have never been lit went for 4,827 USD! My non-useable Arc was a steal! I know I once read an explanation of the name Arc Lantern, but I can't remember if it was on this site (?) or somewhere else?
...and yes, the pair of cabinets was made just for this display. I have a cabinet-maker friend who did a great job on them.
They certainly did... As for the lamp, I may have to just admire the pictures for the foreseeable future. My wife rolls her eyes if I pay £20 for a lamp, so I don't see myself getting that one past her.
Hmm, and how much does she pay for a daft hat, pair of fancy shoes, yet another handbag or a hairdo...
