Very Early Pair of Boston - Sandwich Whale Oil Lamps ? Value

I have seen over the years some oil lamps which are referred to as Boston - Sandwich Glass as the maker, that are actually not identified correctly. My mothers' family was from Sandwich, a small town on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, many years ago. These two lamps have been in my family for years. I have attached a copy of an article that my mother saved "The whale oil Lamps of Sandwich glass" regarding these old oil lamps which has a photo that is an exact match of the pair which I am referring to. There are no chips or damage. I do have the scones for the lamps. I was hoping that someone could give me an opinion on their value.

 

You have "scones" for the lamps? I assume you really meant "shades?"

 

Could not find a pair of yours but here is a lot of three with one like yours. Sold for $100.00. Find that most pairs sell in this same range. Yours are missing their original burners so that may detract from value.

138: Three American Pattern Glass Whale Oil Lamps - Nov 19, 2011 | Nest Egg Auctions in CT (liveauctioneers.com)

Source: (I only searched the first 30 pages so you might want to look further.)

Search "whale oil lamps" (liveauctioneers.com)

 

It looks like, from googling, it's the Three-Printie Block pattern. Did you check worthpoint?

 

Hello Bakersgma, I guess I did mean shades. I always thought they were called scones or sconces. We learn new things everyday.

Hey verybrad, Thank you for your response and research you did. I would hope they would be worth more than $100.00. The next to the last paragraph in the above article dates that pair to 1840 or earlier. It also states that, "Pairs are very rare in both whale oil and camphene lamps. Single lamps in clear glass however still occasionally turn up in New England antique shops and auctions." Many lamps are called Sandwich Glass but in fact are not.

Hello janetpjohn, Firstly I have a dog that resembles your avatar very much. He is a 40 pound black and white boxer/pit bull mix. Very lovable. Regarding your suggestion for Worthpoint. I have had a paid membership with Worthpoint for several years. It has been very helpful in researching many items. When I searched for these lamps I did not see any that matched. Thank you for your suggestion.

 

Like this? https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/1835-1845-boston-sandwich-glass-three-1917571439
Sometimes you can put in too many search terms.

 

Hello again, I clicked on your link and almost passed out. Since I belong to Worthpoint I was able to see the sold price, $12.99.

Please read the bottom of the description below that I copied and pasted. It is a copy.

This is a great example of early American lighting from the Boston and Sandwich glass factory. The note pictured is from my moms antique shop that she had in the 70's through the 90's.Please check my other oil lamps that I'll be listing for a couple days. NOTE. A fellow E-bayer wrote me this and being an honest seller, I will share the info. I have no Idea if my Mom was wrong or not but if she was it was an honest mistake. I will let a possible buyer decide. I always appreciate anyone who writes me with info, Brian.This is NOT a mid-century Sandwich lamp. It is a late century / early 20th century "Colonial Revival" electric lamp base made by several manufacturers. Note that it has a plated steel collar and it is not hand-crafter flint glass. I suggest you change description as to not spoil your reputation.

 

so many of this style lamp had multiple makers with very similar designs. Those in the paper article are not the same as those you show in your images. Tho' the difference seems to be the article looks to be four-printie block with a 2-ball stem and your images look to be three-printie block with a single ball stem.

here's WP listing of a cyystal listing like yours
Early American Flint Glass Whale Oil Lamp 3-Printie Block Hexagon Wide Base 8.5" | #1938020688 (worthpoint.com)

a canary listing like yours
PRESSED THREE-PRINTIE BLOCK WHALE OIL / FLUID STAND LAMP Lot 237 | #1911601639 (worthpoint.com)

amethyst example:
1740: THREE-PRINTIE BLOCK STAND LAMP, amethyst flaring - Nov 10, 2007 | Green Valley Auctions (Jeffrey S. Evans & Assoc.) in VA (liveauctioneers.com)

BTW sconces are typically wall mounted lamps...

 

The "sconce' may be a wall mounted reflector.

Well wall mounted, at least, here's a definition

A decorative wall bracket for holding candles or lights.

 

I sent an email to the curator of the Sandwich Museum. This was her response copy and pasted. I guess stories and information can get mixed up over several generations.

Dear Bob,

From the photograph, your lamps were probably made by the New England Glass Company of East Cambridge, Massachusetts c. 1850. The design is usually referred to as Three-Printie-Block on a Flaring Hexagonal Base. The Three-Printie-Block refers to the font design. The Boston & Sandwich Glass Company made similar lamps in which the font was attached to the base with a wafer of glass. In the Sandwich lamps, the mold seams of the font and the base would be interrupted by the wafer. Again from the photograph your lamps appear to have been made in one piece, which indicates a New England Glass Company origin. The lamps in the photograph in the newspaper article were similar in design, but larger. They are called Four-Printie-Block with the font attached to the base with a wafer.

Not to further confuse you, but these lamps were reproduced. The original lamps were made of lead glass and there is a heft to them, as well as a bit of a bell-like tone when struck.

I hope this is helpful.

Best regards,
Dorothy G. Hogan-Schofield
Curator
Sandwich Glass Museum
P.O. Box 103
Sandwich, MA 02563

 

I guess stories and information can get mixed up over several generations.

Doesn't even need several.........

 

Or just within one...

I have a Washington Post photo taken of JFK giving a speech to business people in the Rose Garden. My father is visible in the audience.

After my parents passed away my sister asked me if I had the autographed photo of JFK standing with my father

I circled my father: