07-017.

07-017. Gordon Martz Lamp M105-28

Found on March 31, 2007 in Champaign, IL.

Gordon Martz

Lamp M105-28
Marshall Studios, Inc.
USA, c. 1953
6.25 x 6.25 x 11.75"
Glazed ceramic & electrical fixtures
Signed

I have too many lamps. No, strike that. You can never have enough lamps! Even when you have to carry them a couple miles back home. Kate and I went for a long walk this morning, and stumbled into a small sale. Even though I needed to walk all the way back across town to get it home and also have countless other Martz lamps already in storage, I couldn't pass up the purchase.

I love this little piece. The shape is fantastic. The glaze is perfect. it only needs a rewiring and a new shade and it will make a wonderful addition to my home, especially since Kate and I hope to be upsizing to a larger house within the next few months. Until then, it might have to join its brothers and sisters in our storage locker. Or maybe it'll just sit here on my desk for the time being.

Booka B commented: Good find Scott!
I agree 100% about never having too many lamps.
especially if it's of the Martz variety!

  • 4.26.07

meredith commented: That's a beautiful lamp! I've been looking at lamps a lot lately, because my house is too dark. I've never heard of Martz lamps, how can you tell, when looking at lamps? The bottoms are often covered in felt.

scott commented: It is normally pretty easy to tell a Martz lamp, Meredith. Almost all of them will have a Martz signature in the clay next to the hole where the cord exits the clay body of the lamp. Some models have a wooden base, however, and many of those are not signed. They may, however, still have the original Marshall Studios sticker up on the socket. Craig McCormick has a fantastic website dedicated to the work of Gordon and Jane Martz you might find interesting. He has included photos of most of the signature variations and stickers, which can really be an asset for identification. http://www.marshallstudios.net

R. Tuttle commented: I have 2 lamps like this one, except that they have vertical stripes etched onto the base. I am currently looking for someone to make custom shades, as close to the originals as possible. Do you know if these lamps were originally manufactured with clip-on shades or harp & wing-type shades? Do you know what the material of the original shades was (paper or linen)? Were the original shades drum or slightly flaired (i.e., larger diameter at the bottom than the top)? Thanks.

  • 4.4.08

Scott commented: The shade actually came in several different shapes and styles. The shades were either clip on or counter ring style, as far as I am aware, but the size, shape, and material ranged dramatically. Take a look at the catalog section of Craig McCormick's wonderful Marshall Studios reference site (http://www.marshallstudios.net) ... and at catalogs #4, #17, #23, and #31 in particular. A 10" or 12" tapered drum seems to be normally pictured with this shape lamp. I would check with a lamp store in your area to see if they can make custom shades -- many can, and this is how I have replaced shades for several of my Marshall Studios lamps.

karin koller commented: I have several Martz lamps which mostly came without shades. Only one came with it's original shade and luckily it was in fine shape. I found a wonderful business that sells lampshades near portland, oregon called Naomi's that has many shades and I'v had great success with them. My one original shade is linen and a drum shape.

  • 6.29.08

karin Koller Webb commented: recently found 3 hanging Martz lamps at a hardware store that was going out of business. They were hanging from the very back of the store and obviously never used there. I'v seen the pdf file on Martz with a few hanging lamps but have no idea as to their value. I think they want to live outdoors, not here in the North-west.
Does anybody have a clue as to their value? Rhey are in great condition...

Scott commented: They are quite hard to come by, Karin, so I'd very enthusiastically encourage you to not hang them outdoors. Price really is going to depend on the color and decoration, and finding a buyer. I've seen them selling lately in the $100 to $150 range per lamp.

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