FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
DID THE SHADE COME WITH IT?
No.
HOW DO YOU ACCESS THE INTERIOR?
The top lifts right off. You get a glimpse here of the cord, which is fastened to the back molding.
You just set things in there.
CAN YOU CHANGE THE CARPET?
Notice the quarter round molding behind the chair? Those are separate pieces that fit together snugly and are not fastened down. The lamp came with a black velvet bottom, but the man who made the lamps told me that it could be changed easily by just lifting out the molding pieces. In my early days, I cut several different upholstery fabrics to use as carpets and changed them depending on the seasonal displays I used in the lamps. Nowadays I just leave the same one in there most of the time.
WHAT ARE ITS DIMENSIONS?
The lamp including the base is 12 inches wide, 11 inches deep, and 10 1/2 inches tall. The inner dimensions of the glass part of the lamp measure about 9 inches wide by 8 inches deep; slightly less room when you take into account the size of the inner moldings.
HOW CAN I LOCATE ONE:
Unfortunately, American Case Company, doing business in Albuquerque, NM, is no longer in business as far as I know.
However, Joann Swanson had a how-to for making a display lamp using inexpensive picture frames in Dollhouse Miniatures December 2001. They were in a center pull-out section called "Living With Miniatures."
A club in NJ made these lamps according her instructions. You can see some of them here: http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/album/54223845lmZRMa
Also, here is a source for a lamp that might work for a smaller scale setting: http://www.vandykes.com/product/02541477/
In January, 2007, I came across a company which makes display pieces for taxidermists, and lo and behold, there was a lamp! You might check them out for lamp possibilitites, plus they make all kinds of interesting display pieces useful for showcasing miniatures: http://www.woodcraftdisplay.com/Disp_case.php
This is only a display lamp base, but you can set another glass or other container on it: http://shop.vendio.com/tophat01/item/887969993/index.html
Here is a site where you can purchase the lighting parts for a Lamp Scene.
http://tinyurl.com/2h78ev
And here are more items to help build the appropriate lamp you desire.
Look at the wonderful examples provided in the pictures for some really
great inspiration.
http://tinyurl.com/2h78ev
Be certain to check the prior page for shade holders and the next page
for additional shade adapters.
