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price list for each piece. The full-body PH: Duffner & Kimberly was the partnership of Frank Duffner,
weathervanes sold for 40 to 50 dollars, who had more than 20 years experience in the lamp industry,
which was not cheap in the 1890s. and Oliver Kimberly, who had worked for L.C. Tiffany
You can see damage to the front cover, in the window and lamp departments. The popularity
which was caused by an old sticker. All the of electric lamps with decorative shades of stained
illustrations are in very good, original and leaded glass, reverse-painted glass, and molded
condition, and there are no missing pages. “puffy” glass was at its height at the turn of the 20th
(Photos courtesy of eBay seller wwolst12) century. By far, the best-known lamps are the works of L. C. Tiffany,
son of Charles of Tiffany & Co. Those made by others are often
PH: Paper items not intended to last, such compared to those by Tiffany.
as this small but quite interesting catalog of Tiffany, however, was not the only producer, and he had competition
lightning rods and weathervanes from an from Duffner & Kimberly, Handel, and Pairpoint who all made quality
era gone by fall into a category called lamps of a premium price. Principal designers of these lampshades
ephemera. I was not able to locate any and bases often switched from company to company.
reference to the company other than a Duffner & Kimberly operated from 1906-1913 and produced
couple of lightning rod holders with their lampshades of comparable quality to Tiffany, but they are less
mark and an 1879 Cincinnati Inquirer well known due to their short existence—financial
article stating that J. H. Weston, the difficulties forced their closure—whereas Tiffany
lightning-rod man, lost a finger in a shooting operated from 1898-1933. For other examples
club accident when his gun exploded. showing the variety of Duffner & Kimberly lamps,
I have good friends that collect lightning visit leadedlamps.com (Duffner and Kimberly
rod balls, and they were unaware of anything like this small catalog. I Antique Leaded Table Lamps and Chandeliers, NY).
suspect this would fall into the category of the “holy grail” of reference These leaded shades were made in multiple sizes,
materials for collectors of lightning rods, balls, and weathervanes. A rare from under 18 to 32 inches, and could be paired with
object that fetched a rare premium – one might not ever see another for sale. assorted style bases. The bases were a separate department,
and buyers could apparently choose both shade and base.
_________________________________________________________
A 22-inch poppy shade D&K lamp, with several heat cracks noted, sold
$15,421 (50 bids, 11 bidders): Exceptional, Antique Tiffany-Style, at Fontaine’s Auction in September 2020 for $16,500 and another in
Leaded, Stained Glass Lamp w/Extra Large Shade. This is a Duffner & November 2017 for $17,500. One sold at Dan Morphy Auctions in
Kimberly leaded Poppy lamp. The lamp base is of foliate design, and December 2018 for $15,000. Given those numbers, our eBay example sold
we believe it is bronze. (Very heavy, it stands about 27 inches tall.) The right on the money.
shade alone is about 9 inches tall by 22 inches across. All four fixtures
work, and the shade is in very good condition. (photos courtesy of eBay Philip Hawkins, ISA AM, AAG is an accredited member of the International
seller doveplace.) Society of Appraisers and a founding member of the Appraisers Association of
Georgia. He can be reached via the ISA website or at 404-320-7275.

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