Mystery Lamp ID  

@retrolampguy & spanky: I took your suggestions and searched online using the keywords your provided: rocket lamp, Modeline, etc. I found a similar, yet taller version of my lamp on 1stdibs.

What do you guys think?

Are they related?

Modeline?

Do you think the light switch on the 1stdibs image is original or added later? Looks awkward to me.

maybe i was right initially. 🙂 Modeline marked their UL stickers so if the sockets are original it's an easy way to ID the maker.

I have seen a few lamps with that weird cutout turn knob design. Could be original but they seemed to have better design that that. Maybe toward the end they cut corners. Who knows!

I have come across a ton of teak/walnut/misc wood MCM lamps and almost none are marked (except occasionally on the UL sticker as noted) . Not sure why, just something I have noticed.

Whether its Modeline or a Scandinavian origin doesn't have much impact on the price unless its a rather well known design. It's value will be in the aesthetics and craftsmanship.

@retrolampguy: The cord & internal light components are not original so there's no UL sticker.

Agree about the aesthetics & craftsmanship. I love it. And for $100, I couldn't have gone wrong, even if it turned out to be a late copy, knockoff, etc.

Do you think my lamp would originally have had a fixture with 2 bulbs?

Shade measures 26" tall, 12"diameter

Lamp from floor to top leg measures 41"

I would say yes, that's the same lamp--just based on the texture of the plastic. I think it's unusual with that slubby look. Or at least I've never noticed that on a MCM lamp! I noticed it in one of your closeups of your lamp and thought it might be an ID factor.

Thank you to everyone, especially retrolampguy & spanky for shedding some light on my new old lamp! This design addict forum is the best. I've learned so much about my pieces.

One last question: should I work on replacing inside lamp with something more period appropriate? And would this lamp have 2 bulbs, one stacked on the other or one bulb exactly how it is currently?

Thanks again!

I would guess that at 26" high for the shade, one bulb is the original configuration but I don't know for sure. I would not replace the newer socket with something more period-appropriate unless I was selling it and wanted to get top dollar. (And by period-appropriate I just mean vintage-style new replacement parts--I don't like to mess around with using old electrical parts, though some of them are probably fine.)

If you like the light it gives off, then just leave it as is. If you ever decide to sell it, then you can think about restoring the working parts.

I would add that unless a lamp is important in some way and consequently very valuable, most buyers will not care (or even know) wiring parts have been replaced. Most buyers want it to work properly and be safe so rewiring is rarely an issue. It

Yup.

What retrolampman said. Plus there are very good quality lamp parts available, and lovely cloth covered electrical cords, too. I'd opt to replace socket with a decent quality up/down 2- lightbulb set-up, as that would illuminate the lamp evenly. An extra long chain (or 2) should be used for the on/off switch. The cord should be gold silk covered...for a true vintage look. And the plug should look healthy (not cheap looking). The lamp is too short to be a floor model, so get it up on a low table/pedestal. And no "hot" lightbulbs. And I like it. Hi.

All the above is the truth, the whole truth...and nothing but the truth.

Aunt Mark