301. Switch It While You Work: SNOW WHITE CHALKWARE LAMP

Walt Disney took moviedom by storm when it screened it screened its first animated feature, "Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs"  in 1937. Based on the fairy tale character, Snow White became a worldwide sensation and it popularized such songs as "When You Wish Upon a Star", "Someday, my Prince Will Come" and "Whistle While You Work". Snow White was the first of the so-called Disney Princess and is the only animated figure that has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Immediately, licensed merchandise were made of the characters, especially the 7 Dwarfs--Grumpy, Happy, Doc, Bashful, Sneezy, Dopey and Sleepy. Snow White too, was immortalized in the form of dolls, gameboards, coloring books, figurines--and one of the earliest is this lamp base. La Mode Studios of New York was licensed to create these lamps made of painted plaster, in 1938. molded in the shape o Snow White. The drwafs too were cast as lamp bases, but the Snow White lamp--with a matching lampshade--remains a favorite. This particular lamp base however is very different from what La Mode created, so I assume this was from a different, unlicensed manufacturer, riding on the crest of the popularity of the cartoon. It bears no copyright date, but is incised with the Walt Disney name.

I found Snow White many years ago in Chatuchak market in Bangkok. Far from having a flawless fair complexion, she has a tan, almost like a morena Filipina. My Snow White came with a glass shade that does not really fit, which I believe to be a replacement. I am sure it can be rewired and restored (I actually repainted the scruffs on her body), and someday...her switch will come.

183. PLASTERCAST ASIAN FIGURAL LAMPS

Here are three kitschy lamp finds from the scroungers' capital of the world--Bangkal, Makati. I remember handcarrying the two his 'n hers matching mandarin lamps made of heavy plaster--from Evangelista all the way to my office. I couldn't find a darn cab!! They are, however, well-made and complete--only needing a pair of lampshades. I have since rewired them and they now occupy a special place in my 50s-furnished house. The middle, equally tacky lamp is Art Deco-inspired, showing an Oriental woman and her feline friend--a leopard, I think. My pet cat however, dislodged the lamp from its small table, damaging the escayola nose of the poor feline. Other than that slight defect, the lamp just works fine. Who would have thought that there would be a second life for these cheap, American-made accent lamps--now avidly collected by 'mid-century moderne' collectors--when tacky was the new 50s fad?

119. THE LADY IS A LAMP!

Now here's an interesting boudoir lamp that's sure to lighten up any young woman's room. A similar lamp was featured in a 1950s retro book, so when this was found at a garage sale, I just had to bring it home. This American-made lamp is of thin, molded plastic, shaped like a camisoled lady in a strange pose that reminds me of a body builder, no? The skirt is a half-globe with leafy and branch relief--what was the designer thinking? The effect is like a man-eating tree about to swallow a human being. Thankfully, the "ruffle" shade and the base were meant to be covered with fabric to simulate a skirt. This Lady Lamp still works although I dare not use it for fear it would melt if I leave the light on.

84. DISNEYANA DISCOVERIES

Thanks to Walt, I have these assorted Disney collectibles to show off, picked from here and there. L-R. An early 1940s plaster lamp of Snow White complete with its tulip glass shade (bought in a Bangkok flea market); a ca. 1939 German made boxed paper jigsaw puzzle of "Snow White & the 7 Dwarves" (from a mail-order collectible auction); "Sleeping Beauty" 1950s long-playing record; 1950s Donald Duck rubber toy; and a 1960s Donald Duck squeaking cap found in a local thrift store. Truly, "when you wish upon a star, makes no difference what you score.."

82. POODLE TV LAMP

Here goes another poodle collectible, this time, a TV lamp in the favorite 50s colors--pink and black! The twin poodles flanking the fiberglass shade sport yarn hair. This ceramic lamp horror was meant to be place on top of a TV to provide mood lighting, in case the light from the TV screen is not good enough. These were so popular in the 1950s that almost every home had them. I found this lamp in great working condition from a dealer who was downsizing his merchandise upon the closure of his shop in a mall. So he gave it to me for a bark, err, a song.

44. RETRO TRIPOD LAMP

Tripod lamps--alongside stiletto-legged tables, Sputnik lights and molecule clocks--were all the rage in the '50s. The sleek and streamlined look of the atomic age inspired the manufacture of countless furnishings and accessories for the modern mid-century home. A relic from this era is this wonderfully preserved tripod lamp--a Php 200 Bangkal find. The narrow circular shade caps a cone supported by 3 tubular sticks, a minimalist, but a functional creation perfect for a den or a study.

21. SHELL TV LAMP

When television became the rage of the 1950s, small TV lamps also came into vogue--to be placed atop the TV set to add mood lighting. In time, enterprising lamp makers created bases in all bewildering shapes and sizes--from electrically-lit crocodile figurines, plastic Japanese lanterns to ceramic leopards with gleaming, lighted eyes. But nothing beats this surf 'n turf TV lamp (yes, dearies, there is a bulb buried somewhere amidst the crustaceans) creatively assembled from a large shell, coral pieces, conches, bi-valves and other marvelous forms of marine life. But look again--a plastic flamingo and palm tree complete the "sun, sea and sand" concept! Err, where's the "sun", you may ask? Flick the light switch on...you get the drift (wood)...