TV Lamps to Light the World Identification & Value Guide [Illustrated] [Hardcover]

John A., III Shuman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2006

TV Lamps to Light the World Identification & Value Guide hich perched on top of televisions across America from the 1940s into the 1970s. Because early television sets had small screens and dark pictures, it was feared that extensive viewing in a dark room would cause eye damage - yet too much direct light diminished the picture quality. Thus the birth of TV lamps. Featuring decorative forms of animals or other objects with bulbs in back or inside, these devices have become hot collectibles. More than 525 color photos accompanied by descriptions, color, forms, measurements, and current collector values are presented in this book. It is a great historical reference for museums, historical societies, collectors, auctioneers, dealers, and others curious to learn about TV lamps and their evolution. Histories of 103 manufacturers located in the U.S., Japan, Italy, and Holland are included, as well as forewords and photos from two of the most advanced TV lamp collectors in the country. This book is certain to enlighten you on all aspects concerning the world of TV lamps.

Editorial Reviews

Review

...She had this great, big brick house that was so different from my family's house in the `burbs. The thing I remembered most was her house being filled with all manner of antiques. Even as a child I new that that stuff was really old. She had this great television set within a cherry cabinet with the doors that opened up. On top was what I thought was a wonderful statue of a black panther but I would find out later was really a lamp...-T. Janson

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Collector Books (June 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 157432506X
• ISBN-13: 978-1574325065
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,420,911 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A GORGEOUS BOOK ON A NICHE COLLECTIBLE, January 27, 2007

By 

Tim Janson (Michigan) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: TV Lamps to Light the World Identification & Value Guide (Hardcover)

My Aunt Sophie lived in Detroit for some fifty years. She had this great, big brick house that was so different from my family's house in the `burbs. The thing I remembered most was her house being filled with all manner of antiques. Even as a child I new that that stuff was really old. She had this great television set within a cherry cabinet with the doors that opened up. On top was what I thought was a wonderful statue of a black panther but I would find out later was really a lamp.

These TV lamps are the subject of TV Lamps to Light the World. In their foreward, Bob & Peg Parks both mention that panther lamp. It seems to have been among the most popular styles of TV lamps in the 50's but as author John A. Shuman III shows, there were hundreds of great figural lamps adorning the TVs or whatever of Americans. These TV lamps have become hot items among collectors today, all pining for the nostalgic era of a simpler, if not cheesier era of home décor.

Shuman begins with a little history behind the lamps and some of the manufacturers that made them such as Gonder Ceramic Arts, Haeger Potteries,Maddux, and Wahpeton Pottery. A short history is provided on each of these companies as well as noting some of their unique styles and markings. We also learn that lamps were often given away to customers when they purchased a TV set and many people purchased their lamps with S&H Green Stamps.

Getting into the identification and value section, Shuman shows off hundreds of full color photos, sorted by themes such as birds, cats, deer, dogs, horses, jungle & western themes, ships, oriental, and several others. Throughout the book Shuman intersperses pages of interesting information about the time period that these lamps were at the height of their popularity with popular personalities and TV shows of the 50's as well as popular models of televisions.

The guide provides very crisp and colorful photos of the lamps with a description of the piece, including its size, and the current value range. The one thing the book doesn't provide is the maker of each lamp which really would have been nice. Overall, the book does a fine job of covering a very specialized collectible. It's a gorgeous book.

Reviewed by Tim Janson