Decorated Blue Monax Shade

Discussion in 'Pressure Lamp Discussion Forum' started by Buckaroo, Jul 2, 2026 at 8:27 AM.

  1. Buckaroo

    Buckaroo Australia Subscriber

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    This shade was listed on marketplace in February, and the seller wasn’t keen on postage; however, they told me they would be travelling through Wollongong in a few months and they’d bring it with them - so today, after its 335km journey from Wagga Wagga, I picked it up from the local caravan park! There really are some lovely people in the world.

    It’s the first decorated Monax I’ve seen, other than some images of similar styles in orange rather than blue. According to Darcy Vantiger, Australia had their own versions of this shade - possibly made in Australia.

    According to the seller it came from their parents 100 year old estate and they saved it from “going in the creek”. I’m glad they did!

    It was likely made in the 1930’s. If anyone has some info on these I’m keen to know more.

    IMG_8680.jpeg IMG_8681.jpeg
     
    Last edited: Jul 2, 2026 at 8:36 AM
  2. Sellig33

    Sellig33 France Subscriber

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    Very nice shade
     
  3. Jean J

    Jean J Subscriber

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    Absolutely gorgeous shade @Buckaroo and I’m not a bit jealous, honest.
     
  4. JEFF JOHNSON

    JEFF JOHNSON United Kingdom Subscriber

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    A bonny shade indeed.:thumbup:
     
  5. Tony Press

    Tony Press Australia Subscriber

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    @Buckaroo

    I can see the writing might say “331-950 Blue”. Is that correct?

    Is there any other writing on the shade?

    Lenora glass company made shades for CJ Thomas and Son in Australia, but that was post-WWII. I don’t know if CJ Thomas also had shades made in Australia before WWII.

    Cheers

    Tony
     
  6. Buckaroo

    Buckaroo Australia Subscriber

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    That’s correct @Tony Press . No other writing. Google didn’t help me find anything similar, but perhaps the model number (assuming that’s what it is) is buried in a scanned catalogue somewhere.
     
  7. Buckaroo

    Buckaroo Australia Subscriber

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    Looking through the CJ Thomas catalogues you’ve shared @Tony Press , a 331 White Opal Shade was still being sold in 1950:

    https://classicpressurelamps.com/threads/cj-thomas-son-coleman-accessories-catalogue-1950.23261/

    So whilst the Coleman 329 Monax was advertised until 1946 in the USA (Vantiger, 2021), clearly these shades were available a little later here in Australia, so date of manufacture could be quite a bit later than the 1930s.
     
  8. Tony Press

    Tony Press Australia Subscriber

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    I saw that, too.

    I was pondering if the “331” referred to the shade or the lamp model number until I saw the catalogue.

    It could be an Australian Coleman-Thomas thing.


    Tony
     

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