Vintage Nelson Bubble lamp-maximum wattage??  

Use a CFL...
And forget about it.

Pardon my ignorance,but...
What's a CFL-is it one of those twisty energy saving bulbs??

Hi
I believe he means...
Hi
I believe he means compact fluorescent, as they produce way less heat.
From the modernica website:
All of the Bubble Lamps are UL Rated for up to 150 watt bulbs, except for the Small Saucer style which is UL Rated for 60 watts. The small saucer is 17 inch diameter.
Don

They produce less heat...
And consume less energy. So if you need 100-watt incandescent equivalent, you would get a 23-watt CFL.

Yes!
Yes!, you are so right! CFL in those lamps it's almost no difference.
And just try to get the WARM colour. The COLD color, that's the regular is not so nice (not to say ugly). The warm is almost the same to the incandescent(color).

Excellent-a 23 watt CFL it is!
Off to Home Cheapo tomorrow to get one.Thanks all!

.
I think the bubble produces a fine ambient glow...its really not a (seeing fixture).Try a non frosted bulb...

Just got the CFL and put it in the Bubble...
It's great!-Got the 75W "soft lighting" version,as suggested,and now the illumination is kicked up a couple notches,yet it still provides that warm ambient glow.-Very pleasing! Thanks again for all your guidance;you guys rock!