...can we have a 'horror' section where we post photos of steampunk monstrosities, upcycling disasters and other lantern based nightmare inducing restorations? C'mon... I know all about the policy of not posting ongoing auction listings but seriously, we owe it to ourselves, particularly with the virus and lockdown. It seriously can't do any harm can it? (I've just come across one of the most ridiculous upcycling creations I've ever seen and it would give us all a good laugh)
That might be a laugh - except I've seen a few monstrosities (to my eye, anyway) that have possibly/probably been produced by members here. That could be a bit embarrassing...
I have no idea why the current world situation has become a factor of posting pictures. What if you simply download the picture on your hard drive, wait until the auction is over and then post it, without even writing or hitting on an auction ? So make a local stock pile, monster1, monster2 etc. and then post them one by one. I can remember that in the Guild days, there was a list of funny, weird lamp desciptions, with comments.
Yes, I'd just post the images straight away and make no reference at all to the source. I don't think that would infringe the site rules or copyright because they're not being used for commercial gain and could even be deemed 'educational' Otherwise, if it's the images and the description that's amusing/appalling, simply do as Wim suggests and wait until the auction's over and post a screen grab of the listing. Seems reasonable to me...
As already stated; post any photos after the auction has expired! That's the standard routine. No hurry.
I don’t think the monstrosities should be given special treatment. I don’t think they should be posted in the “Frankenlamp” section as that is for genuine hybrid lamps that are built to function. Tony
Good point Tony. Maybe a new "Monstrosities" forum could be created? I think there is potential for much mirth and merryment.
I still think the monstrosities should have no formal place in a good forum like this, except maybe for the occasional WTF... Cheers Tony
With respect I think there is a place for the monstrosities. In these times a little levity would not come amiss, and whilst we "serious" lampies can wallow contentedly in paraffin and metal polish and feel comfortable doing so, a moderated chamber of horrors may assist others in making educated acquisitions. After all we would not wish to appear po-faced and elitist to potential new converts.
Education is the key... If someone sees a B list celebrity on the telly drilling holes in something and 'selling' it for loads of dosh, then they might think that it's ok? Perhaps if someone made a "How To.." type video of reversible electrification, then that's a positive ?
My point is that it’s generally unhealthy to exclude something (or someone!) for not fulfilling a criteria. Butchered and electrocuted lamps started life as we would like to see them, that they’ve been messed with doesn’t detract from the fact that they’re still relevant. If someone posted a picture of a rare and exotic lamp that had been say converted to electricity, would you rather not see it? Should we just dismiss it? On a neighbouring farm there’s a piece of machinery cobbled together in the late 1920s. The base of this machine is the remains of a hugely rare very early motorcar. Is it a good thing that it was butchered? Of course not. Conversely, had it not been butchered into a threshing machine it would have disappeared years ago without trace. So, that it still exists is down to it having been repurposed. We should make space for lamps, even if they don’t fulfil our exacting criteria.
@podbros Absolutely not! My comment wasn’t a reply to your previous post, my comment was a reaction to Colin’s original idea and the following comments for and against.
My point was/is simply that, in my view, there should not be a dedicated place on CCS for “monstrosities”. Cheers Tony
Blimey, I really only wanted to have a laugh and potentially nudge newbies and lurkers away from the horrors of steampunkification!
I'm not sure Watt you mean there - it could also be a negative, although on the whole, I'm neutral so I'm going 'ohm...
Personally I see no problem in making ”monstrosities”. Depends also what one means with it. Me deliberately removing worn nickel-plating on old lantern can also qualify as such. I keep battered founts and lamp parts for such projects: making something fun & new from derelict rests of damaged lanterns. Like flower-pot hanging fixtures. Or Michellin-fellow out of punctured founts. You would be surprised to know how many people I got interrested in kerosene lamps through that. They didn’t even know such thing exist(ed) until they saw my monstrosity in my garden. THEN I took them to my collection! Electrifying a lantern which could otherwise be restored is disturbing even for me but these are just tools, aren’t they? Good if they serve purpose in these modern times, even with lava-glowing LED-lamp. I dare to say that such electrified Optimus is better used than its rare Primus brother sitting on collectors’ shelf and not beeing lighted as ”too precious to be used”. ”Investment” one calls it. ”Dead lantern” called by others. (but I admit also having such ”dead specimens” - so I shall not throw stones!)
In my book, electrified, means the alterations can be reversed. Electrocution means just that. Fried, toast, call it what you want, it's dead !
@Kuman .. I think you need to post a picture of your Michelin fellow so that we can appreciate him???
