!9#: Last Minute Floor Lamp Glass Shade Replacement: January 2012

!9#: Antique Lamps - A Beautiful Investment

There is something just a little bit special about antique lamps. In this modern age of mass production antique lamps take us back to a time when decorative items were painstakingly manufactured by master craftsmen. But before we make a purchase we need to acquire collector's information, as antique and vintage lamps span a broad spectrum of styles and quality which can suit all tastes and requirements.

Investing in Antique Table Lamps
Another key benefit of buying antique table lamps is that they can be an investment. Like any good quality antique these lamps can hold and increase in value with age. Buying the right lamp for investment purposes requires you to be very selective and knowledgeable about your subject.

Here is some basic advice to help you when investing in antique lamps:

• Research - before you buy any antique lamp make sure you spend some time doing research. There are hundreds of different types available from colourful stained glass Tiffany lamps through to the distinctive green Emeralite Lamps (also known as bankers lamps). There are Chinese lamps, Japanese, French and English, each with their own distinctive style. Research will help you decide which type of lamp you like best and which colours and designs would suit your rooms best. Investing in antique lamps is defiantly not just about making money but always about enjoying your purchase.

• Future Investments - If you are on a tight budget you could invest in lamps that are not quite antique. Any lamps that are between 40 to 90 years old are typically classed as 'vintage'. They can be much more affordable than antique lamps but still just as beautiful and eye-catching. If you choose older vintage lamps then in a few years they will become antiques (when they reach 100 years old. This should mean their value will increase significantly.

• Original Condition - in the antiques world it doesn't always pay to restore lamps to their original glory. Many collectors prefer lamps that are quite often described as commensurate with age. This is much more preferable than a shiny over restored lamp. Check very carefully with an expert before you invest in an obviously over restored lamp. Seeking responsible advice is a sure fire way to avoid problems.

• Base - it is common to see antique lamps that have had replacement bases. The most likely reason for this is that the original base was damaged. If a replacement has been carried out well then the lamp should still look just as good. However, if the restoration has not been done sympathetically, it could devalue the price of the lamp. If you are investing in antique lamps then you do need to make sure both the base and in some cases, that the shade is original.

Buying Online
The Internet is a great place to find the unusual and exotic. There are plenty of antique lamps for sale online but you do need to take care. A lot depends on the honesty of the seller. It is important that you only use reputable sellers that can offer you a reliable service. Here are a few tips for buying online that can help you to protect the money you are investing:

• Photos - get as many photos as possible. Ask the seller to provide images of any maker's marks, distinguishing features and in particular, damage. These can help you to identify the true condition and authenticity of the lamp. As with any antiques, condition is paramount.

• Authentication - some lamps may have authentication papers from auction houses, antiques dealers and experts. Ask the seller to send you a scanned copy if possible or at least a very good photo. Some specialist antique lighting dealers issue a certificate of authenticity with lamps sold, this is a legally binding guarantee which gives great assurance.

• Online Auctions - you see a lot of lamps appearing on online auction sites. Often they can be selling for almost unbelievably low prices. However you do need to remember that if something seems too good to be true, it normally is! The short auction listing times experienced on website auctions can, and often do, rush you into making a hasty decision. Don't get carried away, take all the precautions you would if you were buying from a regular antiques dealer. Also be aware that the vast majority of lamps seen in this way are not antique.

• Shipping and Delivery - many antique lamps are quite delicate. This makes the issue of buying online tricky as in most cases the items will have to be delivered to you. Look for sellers that can offer you insured delivery services and customer guarantees. The packing of an item, such as an antique lamp, is a work of art in itself.Ensuring this will defiantly prevent you being left out of pocket if your purchases are damaged in transit. The best insurance of all is good packing!

• Fittings - make sure you check with the seller what fittings the lamp has. Remember, that lamp fitting differ from country to country, specialist dealers should wire lamps ready for use, before shipping. Some will still have their original wiring. Although this may be ideal for keen collectors it will not be so suitable if you intend to use the lamp for practical as well as aesthetic purposes. All lamps purchased from on-line auctions, or auction rooms, should be rewired, or tested by a licensed electrician.

Investing in antique table lamps can be a good move. This market has been strong for a few years now and has shown some good signs of growth. The most collectible designs such as rare Tiffany lamps have fetched some big prices recently at auction. By doing your research and investing wisely you can purchase antique lamps that will not only offer you years of enjoyment but will also maintain and increase their value over time.

The real investment, of course, is in the pleasure derived from something we admire and love, sometimes, as in the case of a lamp, we can meet just the perfect one! "The just what I've been looking for" lamp. It just works and fits in, like a hand into a glove. But just remember to run through the above, before you make your move!