Lamp find!

[valleythriftshopper]

Found a cool pair of lamps with original shades at the Sal Army today for 10 bucks.  I know a few people here buy & sell mid-mod stuff, any idea of what they are worth?  They are not perfect but in good condition and have nightlights in the bases too. 

[ThriftyGirl]

Those lamps are awesome!!  Good find!!

[Frchgrl]

My wish. My dream! If I had found those lamps I'd be on a high that lasted who knows how long!

I PM'd you by the way.

[Jay2TheRescue]

Those are awesome lamps...  As far as value, I do deal in midcentury modern, and its very dependent on condition and manufacturer.  If they're in excellent condition, and by a reputable manufacturer of the period, they can be a few hundred dollars for the pair. 

If unmarked, and/or there are defects such as chips, scratches, creases in the shades, or scratches in the paint the value can drop dramatically.  Assuming they're in good (but not perfect) condition, and they're unmarked, or by an unknown manufacturer I'd sell them for $75 - $125 for the pair.

Hope this helps you,
Jay

[mccoysnina]

Got a funny story for ya Jay.
Last week-end was the neighborhood yard sale in a very historic area close by.
Neighborhood is mixed, lots of gentrification going on.  Old house being fixed up, but a few of the old timers still holding out.
Came across one such old timer having a sale.  Dead center in his yard was a kitchen table, one of those 1950's formica jobs, red top, chrome around the sides,  with 4 chairs with what looked like their original  red vinyl? leather? upholstery.  All looked to be in pretty goodshape. Slip of paper taped to the table read "Old kitchen and chairs.  $40."  Old guy said he had no takers.  You know what you have I asked?  Not just an old table and chairs.  You have a Mid Century Modern dining table. Try selling it as that."  He looked at me as if I were nuts.  I went on and circled the block. Came back and saw some folks in his yard looking at the MCM table in his yard.  Didnt stick around to see if he sold it, but definetly more interest than before.
Jeannie

[Jay2TheRescue]

That dinette set was a steal  I usually sell them for  between $250 and $500. (depending on condition)  One note about those chrome dinette sets.  The Formica is very prone to sun fading.  Don't put anything on the table if displaying it outdoors. 

Early on we were doing an outdoor market, and had a bright red Formica table.  Susan thought it would look cool if she displayed a bright chrome Vita-Mix blender in the middle of the table.  At the end of the day when we took the blender off the table, where the blender was (was) a darker shade of red.  Took me a whole day of polishing the Formica to fix it.

[mccoysnina]

I did not know that about Formica.  I recognized the table though.  My parents had one very similar to it when I was growing up.  My brother has the table now but with 6 kids in our family, the chairs gave it up long ago.
Jeannie

[Jay2TheRescue]

Yeah, I would have never guessed that one afternoon in the sun would fade it as much as it did.  Now when we display them outside (We rarely take them to outside shows now) we make sure to not put anything on the Formica.

[liamaria]

im always a little envious of all the cool things you find, however i think these lamps take the cake. i love them . im happy you found something so cool. ive been searching for a pair of mid century lamps with the orginal shades forever. i want a majestic z lamp i also love contiental art co lamps. im hoping i luck up one at a thrift. because the prices on ebay are very expensive esp on majestic lamps.

[valleythriftshopper]

Thanks!  The lamps look better when they are lit up too,  lamps that light up in the base are always nice.  I found a crazy pair of 60's/70's mod lamps in a free pile at a yard sale several weeks ago.  They are definitely fixer uppers, though, and need new shades.  I put up a picture of those if I ever take them out of the car.

Good luck with your lamp search, fortunately I am never really looking for anything specific, that would drive me nuts if I was looking for a specific model of whatever and could never find it. 

[subversivegrrl]

ValleyThrifts, I don't know if you'd be interested, but I know I've seen at least one shop online that sells vintage and reproduction shades for MCM lamps - mainly the fiberglass type with the "stitching" around the rim, if I remember correctly.  I'll see if I can find that link again - I don't recall if I bookmarked it directly or not, but it was on a page of MCM links that I know (or at least I think) I have.

[Jay2TheRescue]

I know the site you're speaking of...  www.deadlynightshades.com  They're cool, but they're not cheap.

[mccoysnina]

I know the site you're speaking of...  www.deadlynightshades.com  They're cool, but they're not cheap.

Love the name though.
Jeannie

[HIPam]

These are way cool!!!!

[Frchgrl]

My sweetie is the best.  He bought them for me as a surprise. Ask and ye shall receive.

Yep, we are the buyers!