TV Lamps: Lighting Things Up

By Donald-Brian Johnson

It’s the mid-1950s. A cozy evening at home. My little sister and I, elbows propped on pillows, have moved in as close as possible to the television set, awaiting the opening credits of The Adventures of Superman. (When the TV screen is only 13 inches, you have to move in close.)

The rest of the room is pitch dark, the better to see the kind of gray and grainy image onscreen. The Superman fanfare begins. The announcer intones, “Faster than a speeding bullet …” There’s a click. The overhead living-room light blazes on. Superman turns even grayer and grainier than usual. Mom has discovered us.

“How many times do I have to tell you? Watch that TV in the dark and you’ll ruin your eyes!”
Yes, it’s the mid-1950s. And my folks, I’m sure, are the only ones on the block who have yet to make their kids’ lives happier by investing in a TV lamp.

Television lights, to address them more formally, solved the dual problems of providing some light when TV-watching while diverting that light from the screen so as not to wash out the flickering black-and-white visual. The bulb (no stronger than 40 watts) was placed behind a figural or scenic depiction, which acted as a shade. The shaded bulb, with its indirect backlighting, offered a dramatic flourish. But did TV lamps actually keep kids from ruining their eyes? Well, at least they kept Mom from talking about it.

Despite their tiny screens, early television sets were comparatively huge (no flat screens in the ’50s). The picture tubes that powered them took up plenty of room. And, since the majority of homes boasted only one TV, that TV was given pride of place in the living room, with most sets encased in tasteful wooden cabinets.

The cabinet tops were an ideal space for TV-lamp placement. But what should the lamp look like? Maybe one with a not-too-fussy figurine. A lamp that would blend with everything else. Something a bit whimsical, but not too whimsical (the idea was to impress the neighbors, not raise their eyebrows).

And so, the decorative TV lamp was born.

Although television technology was underway in the 1930s, World War II claimed it for more urgent uses. The first TV sets didn’t hit the market until 1946. TV lamps, primarily of glazed ceramic or plaster, soon followed, and some dealers even threw in a free lamp with each set purchased. Although ­ew lamps carried identifying marks, it’s estimated that 75-plus U.S. manufacturers (as well as many overseas firms) churned them out, including such “names” as Haeger, Maddux, and Lane.

Themes for these “sculptures that light up” were myriad, but among the most popular were: Animals (lots and lots of panthers, dogs, horses, and gazelles), Birds (swans and ducks were aviary favorites), The seashore (ships, shells, and mermaids), and Transportation (from covered wagons to locomotives to Model Ts)

Taking full advantage of the TV lamp’s lighting possibilities were renditions of Siamese cats and Comedy/Tragedy faces, an eerie gleam glowing through their cut-out eyes. Other lamps doubled as planters, complete with plastic flowers. Stylistic lines were generally clean and flowing, a 1950s-modern reinterpretation of Art Deco. Soothing colors were utilized to harmonize with the rest of the home environment.

The heyday of the TV lamp was brief. By the 1960s, television’s improved picture quality meant that it was no longer necessary to watch TV in near-total darkness. But what to do with all those lamps? Fortunately, collectors have come up with plenty of ideas. The compact size (8–14 inches), subdued illumination, and varied themes of TV lamps make them just right as attractive accent pieces. Try one as a night light. Or atop a vanity … a dresser … a mantel, kitchen counter, piano, or bookshelf.

Although prices have increased from the original $15-and-under, many lamps can still be found for well under $300 on eBay or at vintage shows and shops. Estate-sale finds are particularly sought-after, as most were carefully preserved by their original owners. As with other older lamps, rewiring is recommended, but avoid purchasing TV lamps with noticeable cracks or chips. Attempting to restore them to their original condition will do little to brighten your day.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, it’s time for a rerun of The Adventures of Superman. I’m going to turn on the TV lamp, turn on the TV, plop myself down in front of it, and try my best not to ruin my eyes.

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TV lamps courtesy of Larry Hunt and Mark Dickmeyer.
Photo Associate: Hank Kuhlmann, All photos by Donald-Brian Johnson, except as noted.

Donald-Brian Johnson is the co-author of numerous books on design and collectibles, including Postwar Pop, a collection of his columns. Please address inquiries to: donaldbrian@msn.com