Customer Reviews

Collector's Guide to Motion Lamps, Identification & Values

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I've used the Samuelian book countless times as a reference when purchasing lamps for my business. All lamps are easily located by company name, or subject of the lamp. Prices are accurate, information is A+++, care and repair section is outstanding, and the photos make for quick and easy identification. I recommend this book to my customers and I can to you as well.

My interest in Motion Lamps was aroused when I saw one in a movie several years ago. I searched in vain to find any information on what they were or where to find them. I finally came upon the Montgomery Book on Motion Lamps which was a start; at least I knew what I was looking for. I took the book around to antique stores and flea markets only to hear "oh yeah, I had a few of those once but we don't see them to often." I live in the mid west region where it just seems that motion lamps are very elusive. With a bit of looking through ads for collectables in magazines I was able to find a few people who knew about and sold these lamps. I was able to purchase a few lamps here and there, but I never realized just how many different lamps existed, or what they looked like until this book was published. It seems that there were just a small "cult" of serious collectors and very little knowlege available to the "masses"; this book changes that. The text, pictures, and motion description of each lamp are excellent. I think that experienced, knowlegable collectors should find this book interesting; for the other 95% of the world, INCREDIBLE! I would like to thank the authors for sharing their "secret" with the rest of us,and for taking the time and effort obviously required to produce this book!!

As the proud parents of the authors, we wanted to share reviews we have saved from recent publications. All are complete as released and unedited. They are below: From the Antique Trader, a leader in the field of collectibles publications: "They are fun, quirky, novel and collectible; they are motion lamps and this book is a tribute and resource that novice and experienced lamp collectors will want to add to their own libraries. The authors focus on lamp scenes in motion caused by heat from a light bulb as opposed to motion created by a motor (the subject for another book, they say). More than 500 colorful lamps are evaluated and discussed. Sam and Anna Samuelian also provide invaluable advice about maintaining, troubleshooting, collecting, and repairing these appealing lamps." From The Old Times: "We're familiar with the cylinder type motion lamps...who isn't? But we weren't aware of the many types unearthed by the Samuelians, collectors and purveyors of "motion sickness". Besides the rotating cylinders with waterfalls and smoky fires and such--the kind we remember from Grandma's house--there are flat "picture frame" lamps, little carousels, revolving Christmas trees, facsimiles of little fireplaces and campfires, pagodas and Christmas ornaments that spin when lighted, psychedelic and op art brain-twisters, and a big variety of advertising gimickry. This survey is organized by manufacturer, primarily, but there are separate sections on psychedelia and advertising lamps. There's also a long chapter on repair and restoration, and even a chapter on making your own motion lamp. The photographs mostly do justice to these colorful lamps, and make the book fun to browse. Since these lamps are getting awfully hard to find, this book will provide collectors a "fix" until the next one comes along. This is a much-needed book for lighting buffs, since the last book on this subject from L-W is now out of print." From AntiqueWeek: "Color photos are the emphasis of this book, making it useful as a picture price guide. However, captions provide interesting details that go beyond just providing a value. Readers will also find several pages of background information on the topic." Finally, from Bookwatch: "Collectors of motion lamps will relish Sam and Anna Samuelian's "Collector's Guide to Motion Lamps", packed with color photos of the lamps and spiced with identification tips and current values. It's the clear, small photos which make the book so simple to use." If anyone out there can send us other reviews, we welcome them. Email us at arpsam@webtv.net. Thanks!

This book is a must for collectors! Not only is this book fun to read but it is informative as well. As a collector of motion lamps myself, this book has proved over and over again to be an invaluable resource for both my collection and my business. The photography is exquisite and the information that is contained in this book is not available anywhere else. It is obvious that the Samuelians have expended an extraordinary effort in producing this book and it sure shows!!!! This is a large sized book and is a real bargain. This would make a great gift for any collector, dealer, or just a person who likes anything fun! This book is one of the best collector books around and is tops on my list. I can't wait until their next book!

This book is very nice as a coffee table book,to glance through,but it is also a very informative guide to collectors of motion lamps. Giving information about almost every motion lamp made, with lots of colorful pictures,it details what each lamp is like and is easy and enjoyable to read

While I enjoyed the idea of a book dedicated solely to motion lamps, of which I am an avid collector, I found the book to be somewhat childish in content. I didn't learn anything I didn't know about the lamps already. If you want to look at some pictures, and like to buy every possible book about antiques you can get your hands on, then the book may be a good purchase for you.

If not, look elsewhere.