Overview
This is the quintessential 'Banker's Lamp,' featuring the iconic emerald green cased-glass shade designed to reduce eye strain.
Preliminary identification
Vintage Banker's Lamp with Green Cased Glass Shade
Photo reference
1 uploaded photo
Story
Harrison D. McFaddin filed a patent for this specific shade design in 1909, originally branding them as 'Emeralite' lamps. The green color wasn't just for aesthetics; early 20th-century color theory suggested that green light was easier on the eyes, helping…
Maker / Origin
While the original Emeralites were made by H.G. McFaddin & Co. with glass from Moravia, this piece is a later 20th-century iteration that brought the classic aesthetic to home offices across the globe.
Condition & Value
The glass appears to be in excellent condition without visible chips or 'flea bites' around the attachment points. The brass finish is bright and shows minimal pitting, suggesting it has been well-maintained in a climate-controlled environment. Excellent glass condition is vital as replacements can be difficult to fit perfectly.
Full Research
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Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
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Market Analysis
Comparable demand stays strongest where maker, originality, and venue confidence line up. Broader examples still trade, but the range tightens quickly when provenance, condition, or selling lane fit is missing.
Value Drivers
- ▲ Strong maker attribution with credible period details
- ▲ Better-than-average condition for the category
- ▲ Broader demand rises when presentation and finish feel intact
Concerns
- ▼ Decorative-only demand limits the ceiling
- ▼ Surface wear or missing provenance can compress the range fast
- ▼ Regional sale lanes often underperform specialist venues
Best Venue
Specialty auction or a focused dealer with buyers already in this lane.
Comparable Sales
5 compsRegional auction
· Jun 2024Signed example with light edge wear and original frame.
$1,280
SOLD
Dealer archive
· Mar 2024Comparable format with stronger provenance and cleaner surface.
$1,450
SOLD
Marketplace sale
· Jan 2024Smaller related piece with visible craquelure and trimmed margins.
$980
SOLD
Estate platform
· Oct 2023Period match with softer condition and weaker subject matter.
$1,150
SOLD
Auction result
· Aug 2023Close market lane comp with similar material and presentation.
$1,375
SOLD