L.G.Wright Blue Uranium Glass Moon/Stars Mini Oil Lamp

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Aquamarine "Uranium" Glass Miniature "Moon & Star" Oil Lamp L. G. Wright "Moon & Star" Miniature Oil Lamp of Aquamarine Uranium Glass About 7 1/2" tall to top of umbrella shade Shade about 4 1/4" in diameter at widest point Base about 3" in diameter at widest point L. G. Wright Product Glows Brightly in "Black" Light Background & History: In about 1936, Lawrence Gale "Si" Wright began acquiring old glass molds. He then contracted with a variety of glass makers (such as Fenton, Imperial and Crescent) to produce items from those molds. Using this business model (which today we'd call "outsourcing"), Wright produced a very large number of different glass items in a wide variety of patterns. The Wright company ceased operations in 1999 (although many of Wright's molds were acquired by others at an auction disposing of the company's assets). Wright's Moon & Star pattern apparently originally belonged to either Adams & Company or it's successor company U. S. Glass and dated from the late 1880s or early 1890s (based on information provided in an eBay guide on this pattern--that guide). This lamp utilizes the moon and stars pattern and would probably have been produced somew between 1936 and 1999 after Wright acquired the molds. Interestingly, this aquamarine glass lamp glows brightly when viewed under ultra-violet ("black") light (see the 3rd photo).. This indicates that one of the coloring agents used to create this attractive and bright blue color was uranium. Uranium was used as a coloring agent in glass from about 1830 until about 1943 (when the U. S. government confiscated existing supplies of uranium and restricted its use) and then again after about 1959 (when the restrictions were eased somewhat). If the addition of the uranium was used to produce a yellow or yellowish green glass, it is generally called "Vaseline" glass (a term that came into use in the 1950s because the color of the glass resembled the color of the original Vaseline petroleum jelly). Purists (such as the Vaseline Glass Collectors Inc.) say the term Vaseline should only be used in reference to yellow or yellow-green glass made with uranium dioxide. All other colors of glass made with uranium such as this aquamarine or even the green "depression" glass (which was made by adding iron oxide--that is, rust--to the glass) should be called "Uranium glass" rather than Vaseline glass. According to the Vaseline Glass Collectors Inc. " Due to the tight regulations on Uranium Dioxide and the expense of this ingredient, only very limited quantities [of Uranium or Vaseline glass] are being produced today." We can't tell for certain if this lamp was produced between 1936 and 1943 (between the start of the the L. G. Wright Company and the World War II restrictions on the use of Uranium) or until after 1959 (when the restrictions were eased), but we believe, based on the information provided by the Vaseline Glass Collectors, that only limited quantities of uranium-based glass were produced after 1959. Condition of this lamp: This little lamp is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks or other discernible defects. The brass hardware (collar, "ABCO NUTMEG" burner and tripod to hold the shade in place) have been polished and are in fine condition. T is no wick in this lamp. This is a lovely piece of L. G. Wright glass made from a late 1800's mold or pattern and produced in a charming color with uranium--which makes it fluoresce wonderfully under "black" light--or even to a limited degree under sunlight (due to the naturally occurring ultra-violet rays in sunlight). Our objective is to have happy, satisfied customers. We will work with you to satisfactorily resolve any problems. Feel fr... read more

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