I am wanting to purchase a mica lamp that is the closest thing to a dirk van Erp. I have it narrowed down to Evergreen Studios (Micheal Asford) or Aurora Studios. Which one does the best work on reproducing the lamp?

Hello and welcome to the forum. You pose and interesting and difficult question. Ultimately you will need to be the judge. Both Michael Adams and Michael Ashford are extremely talented craftmen and both use the same methods and materials used by Van Erp in creating their lamps. Not to muddle the waters... Let me throw another name into the pot. E. Luke Marshall is a young man who has also chosen to create lamps and vessels in the Arts & Crafts Movement style and makes a superb Van Erp reproduction lamp.

As I mentioned before it will depend on what your preference is. I suggest you visit each site and perhaps visit their shops and check the look and feel of each lamp and choose what speaks to you.

Best of luck and let us know what you decide.

Fred

Thanks Fred for your information. The only maker that I have contacted is Michael Ashford at Evergreen Studios. I saw him preforming his work on home and garden TV. I was impressed to say the least. I really like his four socket bullet lamp(model 910) Do these ever come up for sale on ebay or some other source?

Michael Ashford has been very generous in sharing information about the processes and metalwork of the Arts & Crafts period. He has written article on the techniques used by Van Erp.

I do not keep up with all the auctions and so I am uncertain of this style lamp has come up for sale. I did find a 2002 auction listing that sold a Van Erp bullet lamp for $180,000.


Best,
Fred

Johnnyo,

You might want to keep your eye on this one on eBay.: Michael Adams Lamp

{update} The lamp went for $4000!

Lauren

Thank you Lauren- I already am!

From what I've seen, Michael Adams does a more accurate job of patinating his lamps to look like original Van Erp's. However, he doesn't make lamps anymore, so the one on Ebay might be a truly good bet. One other thought: why not put the money towards an actual Van Erp? It sounds odd, but given the economy, I would search the auction houses and put in some bids. You can get a pretty good sized later model Van Erp lamp for probably $7,000 vs. the 4-5 grand you'll spend having one made. In the long run, the antique will always be the better investment.

I have an original DIRK VAN ERP copper/mica lamp circa 1906 with the windmill stamp containing DIRKVANERP and D'ARCYGAW that I may be willing to part with. I'm not sure where to look for help with this...It's been on my night table all my life since my great grandma gave it to me and I've not thought about it for years till I saw this site. Family legend suggests it may be the first lamp they made together.

Welcome to the forum Yvonne,

We would love to see an image of the lamp if possible. I suspect if you wish to sell it that a well publicized auction might be the best venue. If you have any documentation concerning the lamp it would most likely increase it's desirability. Some lamp styles are more sought after than others and condition and patina are also contributing factors to it marketability. All Van erp lamps have value. Your lamp could fetch up to 6 figures, depending on condition and whether the patina is intact.

Looking forward to seeing your lamp.

Best,
Fred

ok here is my take, all of these guys are making some really high quality lamps but hold out, take your time and find an antique. Every time I buy a reproduction of even the highest quality I eventually regret it and then I find what I really wanted and try sell my reproduction sadly they don't hold much value. check with the dealers on www.gustavstickley.com they are all reputable and don't list all of what they have in store.
god bless all of the craftsmen making new treasures but hold out for what you really want you will be much happier in the end.

Thanks Fred, I tried to include a photo but it was rejected due to file size. Is there an e-mail address I can send it to?

I have posted an image of your lamp above. It appears to be in perfect condition. The trumpet lamps are not usually as desirable as the others made during this period.

A similar trumpet lamp bearing the D'ARCYGAW mark sold at a Craftsman Auction in their May, 2001 auction for $79,500.

Best,

Regarding the discussion on reproduction lamps, I just purchased a lamp from Luke Marshall from deltacopper... I bought a hammered copper onion lamp, " That I've always wanted ", I just happened to find it while looking through Roycroft on ebay, And I must tell everyone, You won't be disappointed, it truly is a work of art!!!

Hi madpotter,

Welcome to the forum and thank you for your comments on Luke Marshall's work. I have always been impressed with what I have seen of his craftsmanship and love that he designs and makes his own metalworking stakes to create his pieces.

Thanks,