Nelson bubble lamp wattage  

Try
a screw-in fluorescent, for the best of old and new technologies ? These are available in more than one "whiteness" (color temperature), and will always run cool !
Merry Christmas, under the new "moon". . .

thanks for the tip
I know the modernica reissues can take 150W and was worried about how the heat of a higher wattage bulb might be an issue with a 40+ year old shade - I have never seen a new one but I assume that the shade gets "brittle" with age. Thanks again.

A recent LL thread:
"Yes, the Nelson Lamps are great!
Especially now that you can buy them new!
I love vintage when you can find it, but these Nelson Lamps are fragile and the material yellows significantly with age. I like them when they are crisp and clean. The light quality is even better in a new one. Everyone who has an undamaged vintage one consider yourself lucky. Everyone else at least consider the new Nelson Bubble Lamps!"
"[The above comment], about old vs new Bubble lamps, brings to mind the qualities each has (yellowed vs white) and the possibilities for appropriate and effective use of each. Perhaps "new skins for new wine" is the way to go -- ie, new white on a new white background. But another take would be to play up the aged patina of a vintage model, by placing it on that same pure white background ?
On the other hand, maybe an old one would look great in a vintage setting, where other pieces -- and the house itself ? -- are clearly "original" and aging. (I acknowledge that these thoughts ignore the quality of light given by old vs new Bubbles. . .)"

interesting comments
Yes, an older bubble lamp that has yellowed emits a spectrum of light that is different than what the designer originaly intended, or at least experienced. A difference not unlike that of a new Akari lamp vs. and old one with yellowed paper. My house is old and full of older pieces and I do like the "patina of age", or what is to me an inherent vibe that only age can bring.
With that said, I have tried two different types of fluorescent bulbs with different white points and they each give the lamp a very different feel.

Cleaning the old bubble
Hi,
I have a vintage Nelson Bubble Lamp and I've noticed that in spite of dusting, it's gotten new york grimey. Does anyone know an effective and safe way to clean it?

use "search" function
go to the "search in forum" part of this forum page, type in "cleaning nelson lamp" or something like that. i recall a discussion from last year.

the link below should work.
the link below should work.
http://www.designaddict.com/design_addict/forums/index.cfm/fuseaction/th...

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In response to your question, I found this for the new Nelsons.
All lamps are built to Nelson's specifications. UL-listed. Bulb (not included): Incandescent 150W/120V/E26/A21 recommended.
http://www.dwr.com/productdetail.cfm?id=5779
This info pertains to the DWR Nelson Lamps, not the vintage bubble lights.