Topic: Set of uranium glass lamp bases

[detroit442]

Hi, first time poster and new to glass collecting.  I did a search through the boards for an answer and did not see anything that was similar.  I found this pair of lamps interconnected by old wiring.  The glass basses are uranium glass, but don't glow very brightly under the UV.  There are reliefs for the wires to pass under the basses so I believe they were designed as presented.  If anyone can I.D. these, I would be grateful.  Also, how rare they are and just an idea (ballpark) of what they are worth just to know I didn't get taken.

Thanks in advance.

http://img717.imageshack.us/img717/7181/dscf1965ty.jpg
http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/6246/dscf1966b.jpg
http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/5074/dscf1968u.jpg    

[Anne]

Hi and welcome to the board. I've tweaked your topic slightly to try and catch the eye of one of our uranium specialists.

[chopin-liszt]

If they don't glow very brightly, it's possible the glow you do get with UV is from manganese rather than from uranium. Nice beasts, though.

[detroit442]

Hi and welcome to the board. I've tweaked your topic slightly to try and catch the eye of one of our uranium specialists.

Thank you!

[detroit442]

If they don't glow very brightly, it's possible the glow you do get with UV is from manganese rather than from uranium. Nice beasts, though.

Thanks for the reply.  The glow that is produced is consistent with other uranium pieces I have.  I do have some manganese glass and it's a different green glow.  Thanks again.

[Paul S.]

Very nice pair of lamps, by the way .        As a general comment, it is more useful to photograph U. pieces in the absence of daylight, if possible  -  as this should then dispel any doubt as to whether the source of the glow is manganese or U.  :fc:

[Ohio]

Since you are from the U.S. I'll give my standard answer which may not apply to the European members. The vast majority of U.S. lamp bases are pieces parts meaning that just about every U.S. glass manufacturer produced lamp parts under subcontract for lamp companies & these were never cataloged. Sometimes the lamp companies supplied the molds & sometimes the glass companies modified existing pieces that were suitable to be used for lamp bases in which case there is a chance the original glass manufacturer who supplied the part maight be IDed. If its from a mold supplied by a lamp manufacturer then there is virtually no chance at all for an ID. Although many U.S. glass companies did make a few lamps they did catalog unfortunately they are are in the minority of cases as most were (again) pieces parts made under contract for the lamp companies. Ken

[detroit442]

Thanks for the responses and information. :thup: