The arc lamp wasn’t supposed to be for us; it was for my friend Elena who I pressured into taking it because I knew it was perfect for her space. She didn’t entirely agree, although had she seen it in full working order I’m certain she’d have come around.
After picking it up from the Craigslist seller we drove it straight to Elena’s apartment where we discovered there was a problem with the assembly mechanism. And the lamp itself wasn’t working.
I contacted the seller who made some suggestions regarding the assembly problem but he told me he’d fix it if I couldn’t resolve the matter. The next evening I was back in the car making the 70 km round trip.
The seller was the original owner of the lamp, which he bought in the early 1970s on a trip to Denmark. It was listed on Craigslist for $250, which I thought was a great price for a vintage piece of this calibre. What’s more, arc lamps are back in a big way—it seemed like every second entry in last month’s Apartment Therapy Small Cool Contest featured an arc lamp, although none of them was in gleaming brass, which is why I loved this one so much.
As luck would have it, the seller happens to be a mechanical and electrical whiz; he managed to track down a new, double-threaded ceramic socket and was able to re-wire the lamp. In the process of disassembling the housing, however, the pivoting ball joint was ruined—D’oh! But once again, the seller was resourceful; he repurposed an identical joint from another lamp that he wasn’t using. Oh, and he fabricated a connecting piece out of plastic on his very own workshop lathe! Can you imagine? This man spent an entire day hunting down parts and rebuilding the piece. “I’m embarrassed about it not working,” he said, “it’s become a point of honour for me.”
I don’t know what it would have cost if I’d taken the lamp to a repair shop but I’m guessing as much as I’d paid for the piece in the first place. All in all, I made three trips to the seller’s home but now I have a lamp that’s been completely refurbished. With most Craigslist purchases the minute you walk out the seller’s door the piece is yours and you’re on your own. This was a very special seller and I have to say THANKS Peter, you’re a prince!
May 11th, 2009 at 5:34 pm
What a find! And what a gem of a seller!
May 13th, 2009 at 2:49 am
Good morning, I so agree with Chris about Craigs List, you walk out and the piece is yours. Nice to find seller’s like PETER. When I sell my chandeliers on CL, I always insist on the seller SEEING it working before leaving and answering all questions. Peter thanks for setting the standard for the rest of us
May 13th, 2009 at 2:51 am
OMG, Chris awesome lamp I love the unusual, still waiting to hear about the church rummage sale circuit.
September 25th, 2009 at 7:19 pm
Can you tell me who the manufacturer of the lamp is? I have been looking for one in brass or bronze for the living room in my log home, which has NO overhead lighting at all. All I’ve been able to find is brushed nickel or chrome, which I don’t want. Thanks!
Vicki