The collector: Karen Moon-Tinker, retired marketing manager, native Oklahoman and card-carrying Cherokee, USA.

The collection: TV lamps.

The story behind the collection...

I collect mid-century TV Lamps.  I blame my paternal grandparents for this.  As far back as I can remember this Lane & Company Mallard Duck lamp sat on top of Grandma and Grandpa’s big console TV. 

Years later, as a young adult, I noticed a similar one at a local flea market and just had to bring it home with me.  When I showed it to my folks, I found out that they had given that duck lamp to my grandparents in 1954. 

That first flea market purchase had to be more than 25 years ago.  My collection is close to 200 lamps now. The majority of them are ceramic, made by many different American potteries, including Lane & Company; Texas Inc; Phil-Mar; Enchanto; Haeger; Maddux; Gilner and others.  Although the sleek, modern panthers are my favorite, I think it’s the wide variety of lamps that has kept my interest up in them all these years.  Just when I think I know them all, a TV lamp I’ve never seen pops up on eBay or Flickr!

The most interesting additions to my collection came during 1990s when I noticed a small announcement in a Tulsa newspaper, about an auction in Springfield, Missouri.  The amazing lamp collection, owned by Leland and Crystal Payton, was going to be sold.  Leland and Crystal are the authors of one of the most famous books on TV Lamps – “Turned On”.

Whether I was able buy anything at the auction, or not, I was thrilled to be able to see their amazing collection in person.  Although most of the collection sold to a museum, I came home with a car full of lamps too!  I am proud that my collection now boasts eight of the actual lamps pictured in their book.  The Paytons even autographed my copy.

A couple of years ago I decided to re-do my living room and finally give my collection some proper display space.  I began to photograph each lamp after I had shined it up for the display cases.  The photos are posted in a public album on Flickr.  I welcome comments from interested visitors.  

I also want to acknowledge a great internet reference - www.TVLamps.net, created by Mark Stevens.  He has posted a wealth of information about the manufacturers and subjects of these mid-century icons.  I have learned so much about my collection thanks to his efforts to share what he knows about them.

Karen's Flickr.

Images © Karen Moon-Tinker and used with her kind permission.