Friday, June 15, 2012

Harry Morgan focuses on the issues with packing lamps

Hi Alan:

Great discussion on hazards of shipping glass. Lamps present a special problem when they are glass in a metal frame because before you start there is already pressure on the glass. Several years ago a “Pagoda” pattern lamp in metal frame was shipped to me, The box looked fine and there was ample wrapping on the lamp. Unfortunately the lamp was totally smashed inside all the wrapping. What apparently happened is that the shipper did not leave enough space between the box sides and the base and socket (probably thinking it’s metal and not too much chance of breaking). Then when the box took what was probably a minor hit, all the force was transmitted to the glass center glass section which had no give and it just shattered.

When shipping lamps, whenever possible (the plug can be removed or the cord needs to be replaced anyway) I take the lamp apart and package the metal parts separate from the glass part using the methods suggested by Bonnie (underpads etc.) If for some reason I cannot disassemble the lamp, at very least I loosen all the connections/fittings before wrapping the individual parts. Because the top portion especially of a lamp is so long, it does not take much, due to leverage, to transfer a lot of force to the glass. Loosening everything up relieves the pressure on the glass.

Harry

Harry Morgan

Director of Appraisal Services

Kaminski Auctions & Appraisals

564 Cabot Street
Beverly, MA 01915

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

John Styler says leave the packing to us

My penny’s worth on the packing and shipping.

Leave it to the UPS store, insured shipping if the value is declared.

If it’s damaged the value of a piece of the same kind increases in value.

John Styler
500 Green Bridge Lane
Prospect Heights, IL

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Finally Beth Shaut of the Carder Steuben Glass Shop sends in a clarification

Hi Alan, I need to clarify my experience as it looks like you wrap with the paper after bubble wrap. I meant to use tissue before bubble wrap and to put extra tissue support on stems and connections. Beth

www.cardersteubenclub.org

Any opinions expressed by participants to the Gazette e-mail newsletters are the opinions of the authors and are not endorsed by or the opinions of the Carder Steuben Club.

2012 Carder Steuben Club annual Symposium will be held at The Corning Museum of Glass in Corning, NY from September 20-22, 2012.