Phosco152 wrote:
An interesting example of "upcycling" and certainly better than some of the horrors which have been listed via this online marketplace. Could this sort of thing be a possible topic in the Ebay thread?
I can't be the only person who has despaired at some of the efforts of late. Often it is down to plain ignorance on the part of the seller, who thinks that no one will be interested in an old street lantern, unless it has been shotblasted to oblivion and shoehorned onto an old theodolite tripod. Similar examples include vintage lamp brackets such as swan necks, which have been chopped down and turned into desk lamps.
Whilst I have seen some thoughtful adaptations in the past, these are the exception. Usually the thing that lets the side down, is where good intentions are spoiled by clumsy (or in some cases just plain dangerous) workmanship. I always get slightly worried when the listing includes the phrase "this lamp has been completely rewired by a professional electrician", when a close look at the pictures shows the work as anything but professional.
One such listing which was for a 1960s enamelled trough reflector. The original 65/80W control gear portion was not evident and was therefore replaced by a 58W HF ballast (which looked as if it had seen service elsewhere). This would have been a worthwhile enterprise, had the ballast been sympathetically mounted and wired. Unfortunately it was not; having been crudely screwed onto the enamel reflector alongside the lamp, with cheap fixings and cable ties! The crude terminal block used to extend the wire merely adds further insult from the "electrician" who undertook this work.
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Certainly not worth the £125 asking price.
Whilst it could be argued that in the current market, there is a demand for industrial inspired tat shabby chic, I think that sellers should first ask themselves whether a vintage lantern etc would be a better prospect if offered "as found". It would save a lot of needless effort for both the seller and the purchaser, whose first task would be to try and rectify the damage done!
Whilst suggestions to a new use are welcome, I would say let the buyer decide what the new function of an old item should be - not the seller.
