Selling a Wright Lamp?

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Matt
Posts: 430
Joined: Wed Nov 25, 2009 11:24 am

Selling a Wright Lamp?

Post by Matt »

I'm interested in selling my Wright Taliensin lamp that is old, but has no provenance. Any suggestions on how to sell something like this? I've contacted some auction houses, but without a link to a specific house they've declined to put it into an auction. And I'm not even sure that's the best way to sell it. One did say that if it were linked to a house the estimate would be $10K or more, but I have found no auction history for such lamps.
SDR
Posts: 22359
Joined: Sat Jun 17, 2006 11:33 pm
Location: San Francisco

Post by SDR »

Maybe you could auction it here, perhaps with a minimum ? I think we've seen pics at some point ? I'd be glad to help with display of them, if that would help.

Or, eBay ? I don't know how to go about that, but it seems to work for many in your position.

Anybody know how to find a sales history for similar lamps ?

SDR
Unbrook
Posts: 706
Joined: Sat Jan 08, 2005 11:19 am
Location: Lakewood, Ohio

Selling a lamp

Post by Unbrook »

Did you try Wright20 as an auction house. They seem to include Wright in many of their auctions.
Matt
Posts: 430
Joined: Wed Nov 25, 2009 11:24 am

Post by Matt »

I did approach Wright20 and they were interested but really wanted to know what house/building the lamp came from. I haven't been able to determine that, even after studying the wood and other elements.
Unbrook
Posts: 706
Joined: Sat Jan 08, 2005 11:19 am
Location: Lakewood, Ohio

Lamp Selling

Post by Unbrook »

That seems odd. I had questioned them about the provenance of items up for auction and either they didn't understand my question or they didn't want to reveal the source!
SDR
Posts: 22359
Joined: Sat Jun 17, 2006 11:33 pm
Location: San Francisco

Post by SDR »

Perhaps, someday, a Taliesin Lamp convocation could be arranged, in which as many older lamps as possible would be brought together for inspection, measurement, and comparison. Only in this way could an understanding be gained of what defines an "original" lamp. Certain characteristics might be found which would help identify a Taliesin-made lamp from one constructed elsewhere. And maybe individual makers would be identified by their work . . .

SDR
Matt
Posts: 430
Joined: Wed Nov 25, 2009 11:24 am

Post by Matt »

Count me in for the lamp family reunion. It was a fun project to research this lamp and really study it up close. I'm dating it based on the way the shade is hung, th light bulb socket, electrical cable, and plug, which all predate Wright's death. And I don't think any reproductions were made and marketed prior to '59.
SDR
Posts: 22359
Joined: Sat Jun 17, 2006 11:33 pm
Location: San Francisco

Post by SDR »

That last has certainly been my understanding as well. I'd be surprised to learn that commercial reproduction began earlier than 1970 -- to pick an arbitrary date. This would also be a useful part of the investigations. Production lamps will, presumably, be far more easily identified and, potentially, dated.

I next expect a Taliesin Table Lamp Collectors' Organization and Registry to arise . . .

SDR
Rood
Posts: 1260
Joined: Sat Oct 30, 2010 12:19 pm
Location: Goodyear, AZ 85338

Post by Rood »

A photo would be helpful.
Matt
Posts: 430
Joined: Wed Nov 25, 2009 11:24 am

Post by Matt »

It's no easier posting a picture on this new Wright Chat than it was on the old Wright chat.
SDR
Posts: 22359
Joined: Sat Jun 17, 2006 11:33 pm
Location: San Francisco

Post by SDR »

True. Commercial design sites like Design Addict, which operate with an income that affords onboard image hosting, make it easy for users to post
images. This site and others like it, which provide a forum for users without charge to them, rely on the traditional format in which users must find their
own web host so that images can be displayed here.

As before, I am willing to accept users' images, which I upload to my web host (still only $10.95/mo, with no size and quantity limitation -- a real bargain to
me) so that a URL is available; I provide the image URL (web address) to the Wright Chat user to include in his or her post. Alternatively, I can post the
image(s) to the site myself, leaving the user to add commentary etc at will.

My email is always available, at the bottom of my posts.

SDR
Roderick Grant
Posts: 11815
Joined: Wed Mar 29, 2006 7:48 am

Post by Roderick Grant »

Perhaps a requirement that posters be active members of the Conservancy would help fund postings.

I doubt there were any reproductions of FLW furnishings prior to the publication of Storrer's Catalog in 1974. Right after FLW's death, his popularity plunged considerably, but Bill's book opened up a large set of buildings that had never been published before, then apres Bill, le deluge.

Another target for a reunion would be the origami chair.
SDR
Posts: 22359
Joined: Sat Jun 17, 2006 11:33 pm
Location: San Francisco

Post by SDR »

A Wright furniture makers and collectors organization might be proposed. All comers would be welcomed under the "tent," and an annual meet/convention would provide a venue for the exhibition and comparison of original and reproduction examples, presentation of new repros, and panel discussions on the various categories (seating, lighting, case goods, screens and decorative objects). Booksellers would have their stalls; enlarged photos of Wright interiors might serve as backdrop to the displays.

Don't ask me to initiate such an organization. Some enthusiast, perhaps a person or persons already involved in the discipline and the trade, would find it an attractive benefit to self and others. I'd like to think that the "originalists" and the "come-latelies" would exhibit mutual respect, recognizing that the several factions coexist to the benefit of all.

SDR
egads
Posts: 892
Joined: Mon Apr 13, 2009 11:42 am
Location: Long Beach CA

Post by egads »

Matt, perhaps others here just know this because of previous discussions, but where & when did you get the lamp?
Matt
Posts: 430
Joined: Wed Nov 25, 2009 11:24 am

Post by Matt »

I bought the lamp here in Seattle at an antique mall. It caught my eye because it looked old and had a patina of a non-glossy repro model.

and I did try to upload a photo to facebook and do the img link here but it didn't take for some reason.

Image
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