Wild Rose & Other Lamps

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WILD ROSE, PRINCESS, REGAL IRIS, ROSES & RUFFLES, and

SUNKEN HOLLYHOCK LAMPS

WILD ROSE LAMPS

In March 1985, we purchased our first WILD ROSE Lamp in amethyst through a mail bid. There were green lamps available as well, but we decided to wait until later to buy one.

We didn't know at the time that it would be 7 years later before we found one.

It was July, 1992 that we found the green lamp in Tom Mordini's room at a convention. You will note the green lamp shows a sticker. It reads - Presznick Museum . Tom told us that he left the sticker on since it came from the museum, and we also have done the same.

After waiting another 9 years for a marigold lamp we were able to purchase one from George and Mavis Loescher.

In 1985, as new collectors, we did not realize these lamps were so scarce, and it would take us 16 years to complete all 3 colors.

The measurements of our lamps are as follows:

Amethyst - 9” high x 6 ¼” diam.

Marigold - 10 ½” high x 6 1/8” diam.

Green - 9 ¼” high x 6” diam.

The fonts are varied in size.

Bob & Ernestine Brooks - Nova Scotia - 10/04

WILD ROSE lamps in Green, Marigold and Amethyst from the Brooks' Collection.

Zella Perry, also of Nova Scotia, along with her digital camera helped make this lovely photo possible. We owe her and the Brooks' a debt of gratitude for their contribution to this segment.~~D/D Fry


WILD ROSE lamp having what appear to be the original fittings	WILD ROSE lamp base showing close-up of design.

As collectors, we tend to cherish old things which remind us of the past. Kerosene lamps made the way brighter, up until electric lights became the mode of living. Many of us recall the period, even into the late `thirties, when gas lights and oil lamps provided light for farmhouses which had not yet been equipped with modern lighting.

Today, it's difficult to find a lamp not having some damage or having original parts. This Wild Rose design is quite artful, with the roses, stippled leaves and vining effect.

These lamps were made in three sizes; small, medium and large. Colors are amethyst, green, and marigold. More small green lamps are known, with fewer found in medium size, and the large size lamp scarcely ever seen.

It is the large Wild Rose lamp which is sometimes found with the figures of three ladies on the underside of the base. This is called the Ladies Medallion lamp. These are extremely rare. They scarcely ever are offered at auction. One such Ladies Medallion lamp in green, having a 6 ½” base, sold Nov. 22, 2003 for $4000. An amethyst lamp in the same sale, having a 6” base sold for $1800. From this same Adams collection sold in Nov. 2003, a marigold Ladies Medallion lamp with a 6 ½” base and a 2” crack in the font sold for $2000. Another lovely marigold Ladies Medallion lamp, having no damage, sold for $6000 during a Wroda sale in Greenville, Ohio on Nov. 13, 2004! This is proof of their current value to collectors..at least to the buyer. John Rogers' recent question applies here. “Why is it no one ever publishes a guide to over paying for carnival glass?”

John's line of thought coincides with that of my Dad, who was a top-of-the-line traveling salesman of hardware and building materials all his working years, having passed away in 1977. “How much is enough?” was always his buy-line when asked about a fair price.

When Marie McGee wrote her book on Millersburg Carnival Glass in 1995, she placed an Editor's Note in connection with her findings about lamps:~~ An inventory of the Millersburg Glass Co. (dated April 10, 1911) lists several lamps~~American Beauty Lamp, Rose Foot Lamp, Rose Lamp, and Mammoth Rose Lamp~~but none is described. There is no doubt that the Wild Rose lamp is a Millersburg product, for many fragments were unearthed at the factory. None was found of the Ladies Medallion lamp, however, so there is the possibility that this is not a Millersburg product.

In Nov. 1981, the late Ed Garner of Fresno, CA, an avid Millersburg collector wrote the following account: The Millersburg Glass Co., made the Wild Rose Lamp in crystal and carnival glass. The carnival lamp was made in three sizes, with a variation in the large size. The variation is referred to as the Ladies Medallion. The medallions contain the outline of three ladies on the underside of the base. The report of some authors is that the ladies were stockholder's wives.

The small size is harder to find than the middle size. It has a clear font as do the others. The pattern is sharp, with a lot of detail. The base is well iridized and beautiful. It can be found in colors of amethyst, green and marigold. A purple small size lamp with an epoxy repair on the base, brought $600 during the Nov. 13, 2004 Wroda sale in Ohio.

The middle size is probably the most common in green, but is found in marigold. The pattern is similar but larger. A green mid-size lamp brought $2000 at the same Nov. 13, 2004 Wroda auction. A purple mid-size lamp sold for $2100 at the same sale, but was returned momentarily after a crack in the font was discovered by the purchaser.

The large size is the hardest one to find. It can be found in marigold. It is reported in some books to have been made by Northwood. Millersburg collectors believe it's Millersburg.

All these lamps should be considered rare! The rarest is the Medallion. It can be found in amethyst, green and marigold and is very rare, beautiful and desirable. Millersburg glass is probably the most sought after and the lamp is certainly a choice piece for the most discriminate collector.

NOTE: Since the base glass is clear, attempting to take a good photo of those Medallions presents a real challenge! Dean took this photo of the $6000 marigold lamp mentioned above. We believe that you can at least see the outline of the lady in the lower left medallion.

Ladies Medallion

WILD ROSE in Goofus

At a time in history when oil lamps were a mainstay for lighting purposes in the home, it follows that when molds were sold/scattered at the demise of Millersburg Glass in May of 1912, an enterprising manufacturer saw a continued future in this popular lamp design.

U.S. Glass is known to have created some carnival glass patterns in Goofus. Perhaps they are the source for this Wild Rose example.

This is one of only two examples we have ever seen in the Goofus finish, but certainly that type glass enjoyed its share of popularity, as Carnival Glass did. We have seen a collection or two of Goofus examples, which would compare in numbers to some large carnival collections!

We thought you would enjoy seeing this pretty example of Goofus treatment in a carnival pattern.

REGAL IRIS

These are huge lamps, dwarfing most other early kerosene lamps. Note the very large base globe for holding the oil. These were manufactured by Consolidated Glass Co.

Most are marigold over milk glass. One such sold for $1050. with crack, in 2003. They seldom reach auction sales, but never fail to find a good home when discovered in a retail outlet or when offered for sale privately. Only a couple of these have sold at carnival glass auctions since 1999. These lamps have brought as much as $8,000. The upper globe is at least 10” across and height of the entire lamp is an estimated 28”.

Contemporary lamps in this pattern are aqua opal , cranberry, and red in color. One in A.O. brought $1200 at a 2003 carnival auction.

PRINCESS Lamp from the Brooks' Collection

PRINCESS LAMP

Shortly after we started collecting, we joined Carnival Glass Clubs, and we are still members of 5 Clubs today. We purchased all of the reference books available at the time, including the 10 book series by Marion Hartung.

After purchasing our amethyst Wild Rose Lamp in March, 1985, we noticed an ad for an auction in a neighboring province. Since it listed a carnival glass lamp, we left home early to drive to the auction. While driving, we were picturing a Zipper Loop Lamp, or just maybe a Wild Rose Lamp.

The auction was set up in an arena with poor lighting, and we spent some time looking for the lamp. We couldn't see any iridescence, and since it was electric, we couldn't understand why he called it carnival, so we didn't bid on it.

Later while checking Marion Hartung's books, we were surprised to find it listed, and at a high price. Since we knew the dealer who bought it, we quickly called her and arranged to buy it for $5.00 more than she had paid! It has cleaned up some, and we are happy to have it in our collection.

We often wonder how it got so far from where it was made, but glad it traveled the long distance.

Measurements are: 6 ½” to top of glass section and 12 ½” to top of metal shade holder.

Bob and Ernestine Brooks, Nova Scotia, with photo help from Zella Perry. 10/04

(What nice stories about securing your remarkable lamp collection! Our THANKS to all three of you! ~~Donna Adler and Dean & Diane Fry)

PRINCESS LAMP - US Glass

This bedroom (boudoir) size lamp is seldom seen. Standing just 9” tall, to the top of the electrical fitting, it is slightly dwarfed by the larger scale of other lamps in this segment. That is not to say that the beauty is diminished. By any standard, the design is quite detailed. The base is 5” in diameter; reportedly made by U.S. Glass and found on occasion having a cloth shade, or altered fittings to accommodate use of the flared top portion of a cut-off, Lined Lattice vase which was made by Dugan.

Such an unlikely “make-do” is all too mindful of a Dugan Stork in Rushes punch bowl sitting atop an English-made Summers Day vase. More practical nonsense than original factory product we believe.

SUNKEN HOLLYHOCK

This “Gone With the Wind” type lamp is rarely found in red. The marigold, having a caramel shading, is seen somewhat more often. It commands attention with its 25” height. The fittings are all brass, nicely designed. A marigold example with crack brought $1600. in 2000. Maker is unknown.

ROSES and RUFFLES

Quality of brass fittings, the red color and design on the globes of this “Gone With the Wind” lamp is second to none. In addition to beautiful mold work, the luster and iridescence is to be greatly admired. 22” offers a regal height. Manufactured by Consolidated, Marigold and Marigold over milk glass are other colors found on this lovely lamp. A MMG example brought $1700. in Nov. 2003