Your critiques/thoughts on this lamp?  

Looks good
but I got a headache by turning my head to make up for the ridiculous angle you shot the snap.

Excuse for a massage?
Sorry about the angles of the photos. I'm going to pass the buck though because it was actually the seller that snapped the photos, not me 🙂
Do you think the base is too chunky or anything? It just doesnt have quite the nimble form that the tripod lamps have - it seems so anchored. But it's still cute. And it's so hard to find these deflector lamps. I don't know.

Be patient
Wait, unless it is so inexpensive that you can afford to donate it when you find what you really want.
Your house will be full soon enough. Do not feel compelled to buy any item that resembles what you want.
Become more informed in the meantime by reading up on your interests. Knowledge will make you a more discriminating buyer, and your home will be filled with personal treasures.
When you do find the things you love - Nab them quickly

Interesting form.
Looks to me like something made, sometime in the past, by a talented metalworker with access to the lamp-parts bin. Or, if that's a replacement socket and cord, then the original might have been somewhat more stylishly integrated ?
It probably give a pleasant illumination -- which is enough for some.

Hilarious!
SDR - that was a funny but insightful critigue!
bustelo - very sound advice. I do tend to buy things out of impatience. But it's probably better to put the money I would spend on this into a "fund" for one of the $2000 lamp I really want. (The Half Nelson is one...)
thanks again.

Lamp opinion
I agree with SDR, very accurate, but instead of hilarious I'd say I admire how courteous is the way he writes.
I don't write as he does, but here is my opinion:
It's seems to be made it by someone, inspired by those lamps you said, but needed more detail:
Provably he/she made them with parts could find over there (that's not necessary wrong), and between those part bought those from that talented metalworker. Sorry if I'm not so kind as SDR now, but I agree with the talented work-metal, but I'd say not so talented 'lamp-constructor' (There is a specific name, I don't know how you say that in English).
I.E:
The 'cover-lamp-holder' should be metal instead of plastic
That plastic part and the cord looks original, another thing that must be improved when made it.
The general proportions are not wrong, but needs little adjustments.
The metal that's between the base and the top looks very hand-made.
Is better the exit of the cord in the back and not in the front.
and could go on.
Anyway I like the overall.
Now if you want to keep this one because others that "are the same" cost $500-$1000, I don't think it's the case. Now, If you like it it's OK, and that's what's important.
ps: By the way, provably what I like of this lamp is that let me know all that building process, and as a vintage piece, could recognize that process in those times. Which could be an interesting learning. But I don't that's what you are looking for.

Hey Boho,
Hey Boho,
You should keep an eye on Ebay for a while and I'm sure something similar, but better, will show up for a reasonable price. There were many lamps made in this style during the 50's, on both sides of the pond...
Follow the link below for a lamp which is not so different from the one you are condsidering, but much better designed in my opinion. The attribution is wrong (like always), so I want even bother to mention it here.
At $595, it's not cheap, but if you want something in this style without paying for a designer's name, this is not too bad. I would try to get it for under 400 at least. It's been on the website for ages...
http://www.metromodern.biz/galleries/light_5000172.html

Thank you ...
... for the additional insightful comments. It is helpful to see how you all articulate and zero in on things. For example, I felt like something was "off" about the way the lamp was connected to the base, and how the cord wasn't integrated in the way that more expensive lamps are, but couldn't quite put my finger on it.
I agree SDR was very courteous in his observations! Of course, I'm not taking anything personally, as I'm here to learn and specifically asked for critiques. And I don't own this lamp yet - I was considering purchasing it but I think I'm going to hold out for something closer to what I'm looking for - such as that lamp you kindly posted the link to.
thanks again for sharing your collective expertise - this site - and you posters - are such a great resource.

WAIT
do you like the look of fixtures with a diffuser or the light bounced quality this type of device gives.Its not the worst fixture...light fixtures can be all over the place design wise.I love the half Nelson...one of the best.

I like...
... the look of lamps (floor or table) with diffusers, but I also like the reflected light they give. I often find that lamps with too much of a spotlight effect (such as those little cone/bullet desk lamps) are hard on my eyes when reading and create glare on the pages.
That said, I'm always totally open to suggestions. For example, I've looked at the 3-arm Arteluce (or is it Arredoluce - haven't figured out) lamps, and I've wondered if those would have too much of the glaring spotlight effect or whether, if turned against the wall, they could provide enough reflected light to comfortably read by. Not that those are inexpensive either.
But I do love the look of the saucer-like diffusers, for example on the $4,000 Mitchell Bobrick lamp in the link below, and deinfitely the Half Nelson (my favorite so far).
http://1stdibs.com/furniture_item_detail.php?id=96310

I like the lamp,
but I would prefer a lamp that has the cord coming out from the bottom of the lamp base.
Other than that, I agree that a deflecting style lamp is neat.