Topic: info request for S. Clarke 'night light' holder.

[Paul S.]

Night light holders seem to have had a bad press and been ignored - nothing in the index in my books on pressed, and nothing came up on the search here - too utilitarian possibly.    This piece is 6 inches/150mm in diameter  -  2.3/8 inches/60mm high (bit like the Tower of Babel).   The embossed wording on the inside reads  "S. CLARKES/PATENT/TRADE MARK/FAIRY" (obviously the 'good old days' when you could say 'fairy' without the fear of litigation) - and with heavy wear to the high spots on the underside, and no Reg. No. or other marks that I can see.    I have a feeling that possibly there may have been another piece/whatever that was placed inside the top of the tower  -  as there seems some slightly inexplicable wear on the first inside 'wavey step' (but I could be wrong on that).    Alternatively, was the idea that a short squat candle was placed in the centre (with of course water in the surrounding 'moat'.   Can anyone confirm this  -  also would be very grateful if anyone is able to indicate a date range of manufacture, and perhaps a source of printed information on these items.   Thanks for looking.
P.S.  In total I found three differrent types of 'night light' holder yesterday morning - must be a record I feel - will show the other two later some time.

[chopin-liszt]

Fairy lights are a collectable area in their own right, Paul - like pws or perfume bottles. I think most of the market is in the states, though. There are websites dedicated to them, but I can't remember where I found them atm.

They do normally have a dome on the top, they also mostly seem to have stems of some sort - they come in several bits.

[Paul S.]

quote from chopin-liszt today..........'They do normally have a dome on the top, they also mostly seem to have stems of some sort - they come in several bits.........Sue, that's the down side of buying your collectibles from boot sales unfortunately - this is the only 'piece' I have.    Failed again :cry:

[Anne]

All you ever wanted to know about Fairy Lamps and more:
http://www.fairy-lamp.com/
and a collector's website with even more of them:
http://fairylamps.co.uk/ :thup:

[Paul S.]

thanks very much Anne  -  really appreciate your help, as I know you have so much else to do.    

[Anne]

No worries, Paul. *BTW the reason that search wasn't helpful is probably cos they show up under "fairy lamps" instead. Jim Sapp, the fairy lamp man, is also a member here.)

[Jim Sapp]

Hi Paul,

Sorry for not replying to your posting sooner but I don't check this forum very often.

Your clear glass base is indeed part of a fairy lamp.  It is documented as Clarke Model Number 17 and referred to as a "Flower Circle".  The advertisement shows it with a clear shade but any of Clarke's fairy lamp shades will fit within the inner ring.  The outer ring was filled with moss and used for floral arrangements.  It came in two sizes, Pyramid (2.25" d. shade) and Fairy (3.25" d. shade).  The vintage is 1890s.  It is a good find.  Now, all you need is a shade and you are well on you way to a "collection".

Jim (the fairy lamp man)......I am honored but hardly worthy. 
www.fairylampclub.com
www.fairylampforum.com

[Paul S.]

Jim, thanks, and appreciate you taking the time reply.     Very frustrating, as on that particular morning at the 'boot sale' -the woman selling was almost giving things away, and the event almost turned into a scrum.   Pound to a penny that the shade for this base was somewhere on the table and in the melee I missed it.   I would never have thought of moss in the outer ring - sounds almost like a mini greenhouse! - I bet they looked great when they were all fired up and running.  I really would like to have one 'complete' fairly light, so will definitely keep an eye out for the shade.   Thanks also for the links.   Paul S.