Even though many don’t know its name. Most people recognize this stylish desk lamp. The green banker’s desk lamp has fascinated people ever since its introduction in the early 20th century.

Originally created as the Emeralite, the lamp eventually became known as the banker’s lamp due to its popularity in the banking industry. They have a design featuring a green glass lampshade, typically fitted to a brass base. However, you can find them in all sorts of colors and variations.

Want to know more about its history? Why is it called the banker’s lamp? The types of variations? Or where you can get your own? Keep reading as I try to answer all the questions you could possibly have about the banker’s lamp.

History

The green bankers desk lamps story goes back to 1909. At this time American engineer Harrison D. McFaddin filed a patent application for “a new, original and ornamental design for lamp shades”. Later the same year, the first lamp rolled out of production.

The simple, yet neat green-shaded lamp was given the name Emeralite, a combination of emerald and light due to the deep emerald green color of the shade.

The lamp gradually increased in popularity. Particularly among those in detailed oriented occupations. These included  accounting, banking and law. A big reason for this was that that green was (and still is), thought to be psychologically soothing, enhancing concentration and focus.

This led to the lamp becoming a prominent feature in banks, courtrooms and libraries. Most likely, its popularity among bankers have led to it being known as the bankers lamp today.

Following the outbreak of WW2 in 1939, things went downhill for the company. The company replaced the green glass shade with metal shades. Around the same time, the company changed hands as its founder H.D. McFaddin chose to retire.

In the early 60s, the company turned unprofitable. The company changed hands again as the new owner died, but it never recovered. After a little more than 50 years, the remainder of the company behind the iconic lamp was legally dissolved in 1962.

You can read more about the history of the green banker’s desk lamp/Emeralite. Just follow this link to my detailed article which takes you through its entire history by clicking this link.

The lamp today

Although the original company is long gone, the lamp design and its legacy still live on. The lamp is arguably one of the most recognizable desk lamps in the world. This is largely due to its frequent appearance in movies and TV-shows.

One of the best appearance of the green banker’s lamp on screen is in the 90s crime thriller “seven”.You can check out the scene below. You can also read more about its presence in show business in this article. Here you can also check out the comprehensive list of movies and TV shows where the banker’s lamp makes an appearance.

Many of the original Emeralites have been lost over time. Those that remain are now sought after antiques. Depending on the model and condition, these antique lamps can sell for anywhere between 200-1200 USD to the right buyer.

The prewar models with the characteristic green glass shades are by far the most popular. This is the design that most present day replicas are based on as well. These retail for far less than its original counterparts and can be found in lamp stores and online around the globe

Personally, I own both a modern day replica green bankers desk lamp and an antique Emeralite. Both are relatively easy to get a hold of. Continue to read below where I cover the basics about both antique bankers lamps and replicas and share my experiences.

Antique bankers lamp/Emeralite

The prewar models with green shades are the most popular ones. If you are interested in getting your hands on one, you have to know where to look and what to look for.

Original Emeralites are gathered by antique stores. They know their value and can sell them for a nice profit. Because the Emeralite was produced in the United States, that is where you are most likely to encounter one.

While some auctioneers have taken to the internet, I’m not familiar with any. An auction site I am familiar with though is Ebay. Ebay tends to have a handful of people selling original Emeralites which you can check out.

If buying online, make sure to consider their condition. Many of the Emeralites on eBay are missing parts, and can be in a pretty rough condition. In addition you want to make sure that the lamp you want is the real deal.

Follow this link to check out my in-depth article about antique bankers lamps/Emeralites. Here I show you different parts that are often missing. I also go through a few exampless of lamps that are in a rough shape. In addition, I show you the signatures and characteristics of original lamps to prevent you from getting fooled.

Modern day replicas

If you don’t want to pay up for an original Emeralite, there are plenty of modern-day replicas available. The green shade replica is the most common, which you can find in most lamp shops worldwide.

There is a much larger selection online. Here you can get bankers lamps in all sorts of colors and varieties. To make the job easier for you, I have spent hours picking out the best models available on amazon. Click this link to check it out.

Not all bankers lamps follow the traditional design. Some manufacturers have takes the bankers lamp into the new century. Follow this link to check out my article and reviews on the best modern style bankers lamps.

Others have chosen to combine two of the most classic lamp designs in history. We are of course talking about the Tiffany and the banker’s lamp. These Tiffany style bankers lamps are great, colorful alternatives. Follow this link to head over to my overview and review of the best tiffany style bankers lamps available for your buck.

Closing thoughts

As mentioned, I have both an original Emeralite and a modern day replica. I’m really happy with both, but having an Emeralite is the most rewarding. A big reason for this is that I got it relatively cheap and spent several hours getting it back to a nice condition.

When I got the lamp, it was in a pretty rough condition. It was covered in old, hardened dirt/dust and the shade was missing a piece. Follow this link to check out my article about restoring my old Emeralite/Banker’s lamp.

hope you found this article helpful and informative. If you have any unanswered questions, comments, or other inquiries, please leave a comment in the comment section below.

The post What is that green desk lamp called? appeared first on The Bankers Lamp.

The lamps Origin

Although best known as the bankers lamp today, it was originally called the Emeralite, a combination of emerald and light.

The lamp’s story actually goes back as far as 1909, when American engineer Harrison D. McFaddin filed a patent application for “a new, original and ornamental design for lamp shades”. After he got the patent approved, the lamp quickly went into production with the first lamp being produced later the same year by the H. G McFaddin & Co.

The first design of the emeralite was actually quite simple. It had a brass-based or brass-plated base, holding a green over white cased glass shade. Even though the shade was available in other available colors, it was the green glass shade that became the most popular, and eventually became the signature that made the lamp so distinguishable with its emerald green color.

The neat, green glass shades were made using the cased glass technique, which is when you create a single glass piece by fusing two or more glass layers with different colors. The Emeralite only had two layers where the inner layer was white opal glass, and the outer layer was the colored/green.

Although the company of founder McFaddin was American and operated in America, they chose to produce all the glass shades at one factory, the J. Schreiber & Neffen glass factory, located in the city of Rapotin, Moravia, in present-day Czech Republic.

I could not find out the reason for this, but perhaps it was because of their skill, given that the cased glass technique requires some neat handiwork and skill.

No matter the reason, the agreement between the two companies stated that J. Schreiber & Neffen could only produce the glass shades for the H. G McFaddin & Co. which, in turn, were required to purchase a minimum volume of shades each year. The shades were then shipped to the US where they would be attached to their brass base.

At the Peak of Success

After starting production, the first production series had, as mentioned, a relatively simple design, but in the following production series, the brass base design changed, becoming more decorative for the second and third production series.

In addition, the attachment of the green glass shade changed. On the early models, it was attached through holes on each side of the shade. Later, the holes were replaced with clamps that held the shade in place at indentations in the glass.

The first 3 production series took place before the second world war, during which the lamp was most successful. The lamp’s design was appreciated as it combined an elegant design with functionality.

One feature that was much appreciated was the design of the glass shade, which was slightly flattened on the back and sides but sloped gently towards the user in the front, which provided focused lighting for the user.

Although the desk lamp became very popular, the company also produced other types of lamps with the emeralite style, such as bedside lamps and floor lamps. In addition, the desk lamps were given various features, such as removable inkwells, pen holders, clocks, and calendars, some of which are found on the antique, original emeralites sold today.

Why the Bankers Lamp?

The reason behind this is likely due to the fact that the Emeralite was embraced by financial institutions which ordered the lamps in huge numbers. One of the main reasons is that green was and still is, thought to be psychologically soothing, enhancing concentration and focus.

This belief was prominent in detailed-oriented occupations such as accounting, auditing, and budgeting, all of which are banking activities. Actually, this is the same reason why bankers and accountants often wore those green eyeshades/visors back in the days.

The emeralite capitalized on this, as the shade prevented intense light from being cast towards the user, but gave off a pleasant green light. By adding in some effective marketing, the emeralite became more than just a lamp, it became an elegant and stylish tool, thought to improve worker efficiency by lessening eyestrain and promoting concentration and focus.

One also has to take into account that the emeralite became a symbol of elegance in the prewar period. A time in which not all American or European homes had electricity. All these factors made the emeralite a prominent feature in financial institutions, which eventually led to it being known as the bankers lamp.

Although popular in financial institutions, they were far from the only ones to embrace this green lamp. Due to the belief in its psychological, beneficial effects and the elegant look, the lamp became a prominent feature in libraries, law offices, and the desk of any academic.

Post WW2 and the company’s demise

Following the outbreak of WW2 in 1939, things went downhill for the company, as the conflict made it impossible to attain the glass shades from Europe.

This led to the company moving away from the green glass shade, producing lamps with metal shades. Around the same time, The company was purchased by one of its employers, Charles Inness- Brown, as H.D. McFaddin chose to retire.

Inness- Brown actually changed the name of the company from H. G McFaddin & Co. to The Emeralite Co. and in addition to moving away from the glass shade, the lamp’s design was made more modern, marking the end of the lamps glory days.

Moving on to the late 1950s, Emeralite inc started to become unprofitable, and when owner Iness-Brown died in 1960, the company was sold and renamed again, becoming Tilarem inc. (Tilarem is emeralite backward without the first and last e’s).

Although having a new owner and name, the company never rebounded, and Tilarem inc. Was legally dissolved in 1962, ending the story of the company behind the iconic lamp.

The lamp today

Although the original company is long gone, the lamp design and its legacy still live on. For me, the lamp is arguably one of the most recognizable desk lamps in the world, largely due to its frequent appearance in movies and TV-shows.

Because of this, new lamps replicating the designs of the emeralite are produced all over the world and continue to decorate desks, offices, and libraries around the globe. Best yet, it means that you and I are able to buy one of our own!

The handful of remaining original emeralites have become highly valued, collectible antiques. Depending on the model and condition, these antique lamps can sell for anywhere between 500-1200 USD to the right buyer.

The prewar models with the characteristic green glass shades are by far the most popular and are sought after by eager collectors. Although getting one of these might be the pinnacle of owning a bankers lamp, you might just want to settle for a replica for starters.

Whether you own an original emeralite or a new model, you are sure to have a desk lamp that will continue to be fashionable for many years to come. I recommend you take a look at my guide where I talk about the best bankers lamp models or modern versions.

The post The Fascinating History of the original Bankers Lamp appeared first on The Bankers Lamp.

The different production series and their cost

The first Emeralite was produced in 1909 after being invented by American engineer Harrison D. McFaddin. Until the second world war, these lamps featured the characteristic emerald green glass shade. This is actually why the lamp is called the Emeralite, which is a combination of the words emerald and light.

Although the company continued to produce lamps after the second world war, they moved away from the green glass shade. Today, the prewar period lamps with the green glass shades are the most popular.

If you want to read more about the history of the lamp and the company behind it you can check out the article I wrote about it.

The prewar lamps belong to 1 of 3 production series, with each series being produced in different time periods. In addition, each production series have different models.

1st production series: 4873

The 4873 production series was the first, which lasted from 1909 to 1916. The most characteristic feature of the lamps from this production series is the way the shade is attached to the base through holes in the side of the shade.

To get a graphic illustration you can click this link to open a tab to emeralite.com which feature a copy of the original production series catalog. The most common models from this production series sold today tend to be G or AC models, and sometimes one of the double shade C, F or SC models.

These models from the 4873 are rare and therefore tend to be more expensive. Prices can range from $400-700, but will obviously depend on the type of model and its general condition. As a general rule you tend to have to pay more for the dual shade models, and models which have additional features, such as inkwells on the base.

2nd production series: 8734, most common Emeralites

The most common Emeralites you can get your hand on today belong to the 8734 series. This was the second production series which lasted between 1916 up until the early 1930s. In this production series, the attachment of the shade was changed. The bottom of the shades became indented on the sides and back which made them fit into a channel on the armature of the base.

Like its preceding production series, there were many different models. Click this link to open a tab to emeralite.com where you can check out a copy of the production series catalog.

The most common models found for sale today are the K, B, AC and G models. Occasionally you might come across some of the twin models like the C and F models, the latter being equipped with inkwells and pen holders.

Models from the 8734 production series are the most common, however, some models rarer than others. The most common mode from this production series is model B. Although this model was produced since 1916, a lot of these lamps are from the late 1920s or early 1930s, when it was given an updated design on the base.

You should not pay more than around $450 for a B model Emeralite in a good condition from this production series. Other models can sell for anywhere between 400-1200$. These includes the dual shade models or models additional features like the inkwells of pen holders.

3rd and last production series: No. 9

The 3rd and last production series of the pre-WW2 Emeralites were known as the No. 9 series. This was the shortest production series which started in the early 1930s but lasted no longer than 5 years.

Characteristic for these lamps are that the attachment of the glass shade was changed, in addition, the shade was made larger, requiring these lamps to have 2 light bulbs even for a single shade lamp.

Because this production series was rather short compared to the preceding 2, Emeralites of this production series are very rare and can cost anywhere between 1000-3000$.

How to get an Original Emeralite Lamp

Original lamps in good condition are few and far between. This makes them sought after antiques, selling for anywhere between 300-1200$. If you are interested in getting your hands on one, you have to know where to look.

You are most likely to find an original Emeralite in an antique store, or on auction stores online, like these listings on eBay. Alternatively, you can contact a collector which might be willing to sell you one.

Before paying several hundred dollars you want to make sure the lamp is the real deal. The easiest way is to look for characteristic signatures that can be found on both the base and the shade. You should also carefully asses the condition of the lamp. Many lamps are in a pretty rough condition which warrants significant discounts.

Where to find them

Antique stores and auctioneers

Like many other collectible antiques, original Emeralites are gathered by antique stores which know their value and can sell them for a nice profit. Because the Emeralite was produced in the United States this is where you are most likely to encounter one.

Some auctioneers have taken to the internet, hosting internet auctions, which might feature bankers lamps. I’m not familiar with any, and therefore are in no position to recommend one, however it might be worth to search through the web.

Online

One website I’m more familiar with, which also happens to have auctions, is eBay. eBay has become a global online retailer and auctioneer. Here vendors and private individuals sell their products at fixed prices or at auctions. It just so happens that private individuals often sell vintage Emeralites here.

Although you find some in prime condition, a lot of them sell without the glass shade, and some are in pretty rough condition. This often justifies significant discounts compared to the asking price (continue down the article).

If you are prepared to pay up, you might be able to get your hands on an original Emeralite in good condition. On the other hand, if you decide to get one that needs some restoration, you are going to be in for a bit of polishing. To see what is currently available, click this link to head over eBay.

If you decide to get one without the shade, you should keep in mind that finding a decent replacement shade is no easy task. You can read more about it in my article about replacement shades.

How to make sure it’s the real deal

Like many other antiques, vintage Emeralite lamps sell for a decent price, especially if it’s in good condition. Because of this, you want to make sure that you are getting the real deal.

Fortunately, H.G Mcfaddin & Co made sure to make it clear that the lamp was produced by them as you can find various signatures with their logo on both the shade and base.

Base signature

To start with, every original Emeralite from the 8734 production series onwards, should have a metal plate on the base which bears the Emeralite logo as well as the production series number.

The metal plate signature is generally located on the upper part of the base, near the shade. If the lamp you’re looking at looks like its over 80+ years old and has this plate and its base, you can feel pretty comfortable with it being the real deal.

Shade signatures

Original glass shades also have signatures, either in the form of decals/stickers or ink stamps.

The decals are usually found on the back of the lamps shade and have a beige/yellow color and a red circle, in which the Emeralite logo is written in bold green letters. In addition to the logo, you should find the production series number, as well as a made in USA/Czechoslovakia (the shades were made in former Czechoslovakia).

The slight majority of lamps sold today still have the sticker, but some dont. It might have been peeled off by their original owners, or been worn off over time. Because of this, a shade without the decal does not necessarily mean it’s not the real deal.

If the decal is missing, you might want to look for an ink stamp. These might also be found on the lampshade, either on the outside (towards the back), or on the inside of the shade. The ink stamp usually includes the Emeralite name and with or without “trademark”, production series number and/or country in which it was made (USA/Czechoslovakia).

A great resource to look up these signatures is emeralite.com which features a great collection of pictures of the various signatures. Follow this link to open the page in a new tab.

Condition

The price you should pay for an antique Emeralite will depend on the overall condition. This might be a bit challenging to determine, especially if you are purchasing one online. However, I went through the same thing when I purchased my and restored my Emeralite (read about it here). Here are a few tips to help you with your potential purchase.

Base

Most Emeralite models have a brass finish, but it is not uncommon for many of the lamps sold on online to look rather black or brown. They have probably collected tons of dust and dirt through the years while stuffed away without being given much care.

In addition to dirt, some lamps might even have signs of the brass base being subject to corrosion. This takes some work to remove and polish. I had to use a delicate metal brush to completely clean some parts of my Emeralite. Therefore, a seller should we willing to give you a small discount if corrosion is present on a lamp you are interested in.

My advice would be to contact the seller and argue for a discount. How much? It depends on how flexible the seller is, but I would call it fair with a $50 discount, given that the lamp is otherwise in a good condition.

Wiring and wall plug

Other lamps might still have the original wiring and/or wall plug, which is often in pretty rough condition. They might also not be suitable for today’s wall sockets making them a house hazard that needs to be replaced. Rewiring an Emeralite takes a little work and should, therefore, qualify for a discount.

The same goes if you see the need for replacing the wall plug, however, replacing it is not as big of a hassle and doesn’t make for the best argument when asking for a significant discount.

Missing parts

Some lamps might have parts missing or visible damage that should affect the buying/selling price, sometimes quite significantly.

Two parts that are commonly missing is the bulb socket and its outer shell (the part where the light bulb is screwed on), and the glass shade holder pins. The pins are the thin metal/brass rods that are attached to the base, and when extended support the front edge of the glass shade.

If any of these, or any other original parts are missing, you should ask the seller for a discount. The more parts are missing, the bigger the discount ought to be.

Structural damage

Sadly, some lamps have structural damage that should significantly affect its selling price. A common site is the metal part located at the transition between the flat part of the base and the pole which holds the attachment of the shade on the B models of the 2nd production series.

When I bought my Emeralite of this model, this metal piece was broken. I contacted the seller arguing for a discount from the listing price, which I was granted without any further argumentation. Therefore, always make sure to ask if you spot any damage.

One of the most common things to be broken on Emeralites are the glass shades. This one justifies a significant discount, given that original glass shades sell for over $200. I would argue that this justifies a discount of over $200, and if the seller does not agree, you are better off finding another one.

Bottom line

Some might argue that an Emeralite in rough condition with missing parts is more or less worthless. I would say they still hold some value which can be unlocked by restoring it.

As mentioned, I bought an 8734 series model B Emeralite which needed some restoration. From the pictures I could see that it has some structural damage, a broken glass shade. In addition, the original pull chain switch was missing, and I had to replace the wall plug.

When I contacted the seller, I argued for a significant discount based on what I saw on the pictures. Among other things, I mentioned the price of a new original shade and made an offer for 50$. To my delight, the seller accepted and I got the lamp, including the 2 pieces of the shade that had broken off, so that I could fix it up.

How to proceed

You are most likely to find a potential Emeralite on eBay unless you take the time to go antique hunting. eBay tends to have a handful of lamps, but many are in a rough condition, and some are obvious fakes. You can click this link to head over to eBay to see what is currently available.

Signatures

In general, If you find a lamp that has all three signatures, you can feel pretty comfortable that its real. But what if it is missing some, which one is the most important?

I would say the most important is the metal plate on the base, followed by the decal/sticker on the shade. If the metal plate is present, you can be sure the base is original and not a more recent replica that just looks old.

For the lampshade, the decal/sticker is the most common and therefore the most important signature. However, it is not uncommon that it might have been ripped off by previous owners or have been worn off with time.

Another potential giveaway for the lamp shade is the color. If the lamp shade has a brighter green color, I would be a bit skeptical. The original shades had a darker emerald green color. When lit it gives them a blue-ish hue to when turned off they look black-ish.

If You find a lamp you like, I would suggest asking the seller for pictures of these signatures before purchasing. This way you can avoid being ripped off by buying a replica for hundreds of dollars.

Condition

Regarding the condition of the lamp, make sure to go through the pictures in detail. Preferably, the pictures are large enough so that you can get a good look on the overall condition. This can enable you spot potential damages and/or missing pieces that justifies asking for a discount on the listed price.

If you spot defects or missing parts, don’t be afraid to argue for a fair discount. Just present your case politely, and most sellers simply accept, decline or counter your offer, no big deal.

Final words

I hope you found this guide useful in your hunt for an original Emeralite. Most of the information in this article is based on my experience buying one on eBay which I spent some time repairing with a surprisingly good end result.

If you ended up getting one, please be sure to share your experience in the comment section below. If you are still looking and have unanswered questions, don’t hesitate to ask!

The post Original Antique Emeralite Bankers Lamp: how to find the real deals appeared first on The Bankers Lamp.

It was given the green shade largely due to the belief that green light was soothing, caused less eye strain, and therefore improved productivity. This was especially true among people in detailed-oriented occupations such as accountants, copy editors and telegraphers.

This theory proved to be an effective marketing tool for the company behind the original banker’s lamp. But does this green lamp actually lessen eye strain and improve productivity?

Why the green shade?

During its time, light bulbs gave off a very intensive and harsh light that was uncomfortable to look at. It was thought that working in this intensive light could cause eye-strain.

At the same time, it was a popular belief that green shades could lessen this eyestrain and therefore improve productivity. This was especially true among those in vision-intensive, detailed-oriented occupations such as telegraphers, copy editors and accountants.

Because of this, it was common for people in these occupations to wear those green visors from the late 19th to the middle of the 20th century. The Emeralite capitalized on this belief. and with the help of some clever marketing, it became the favorite desk lamp in among bank employees and executives. Which is why this lamp is most widely known as the banker’s lamp today.

Effects of colored lights on an individual’s affective

Colored light is simply electromagnetic waves with wavelengths that are within the range of the color spectrum of the human eye. The human color spectrum is very narrow, and are able to perceive waves between roughly 400 and 700 nanometers.

Purple and blue light occupies the low wavelength end of the spectrum, while red and orange occupy the higher wavelength end of the spectrum. Any wavelength outside the human color spectrum is invisible to the human eye. This includes electromagnetic rays, ultraviolet rays, X-rays etc.

It is known that light in certain wavelengths is able to induce certain physiological processes. The most important is blue light (daylight) influences our biological clock. It does so by inhibiting the synthesis of a substance known as melatonin, boosting mood and attention.

On the other hand, the lack of blue light/daylight results in increased synthesis of melatonin in the brain, which causes one to become more sleepy. Because of this, looking at the TV, mobile and computer screens during the night can disrupt our natural day/night cycle (circadian rhythm) which can lead to difficulty sleeping.

Green light is in the middle of the color spectrum, but closer to the blue end of the spectrum. Therefore, green light can also influence our biological day/night cycle in the same way as blue light, boosting mood and attention.

The Psychological Impact of Light and Color

In addition to its physiological effects, colors are able to induce certain psychological effects, including human perception, mood, and emotions.

For example, in traffic, green is perceived as safe. It indicates that you are clear to drive ahead or cross the street. On the other hand, red is associated with love, while black is associated with grief.

Regarding the color psychology of green, it is thought to induce a sense of calm and balance. At the same time, it is said to induce a feeling of being recharged. Because of this, green is used in chromatic therapy to “sooth the soul and mind”.

Although it is easy to associate with some of these psychological color effects. It is important to remember that the effects differ between people. Factors such as gender age, and culture influence how one perceives colors.

Conclusion

Whether a green bankers lamp has the effects it claims to have is doubtful. However, there is no question that having a good lampshade that preventing you from staring directly into a glowing light bulb can prevent eye strain.

From a physiological standpoint, having a green bankers lamp might prevent you from becoming sleepy if you stay up late. Psychologically, the green shade might appeal to you, or it might not, there is no real scientific answer.

Nevertheless, the green banker’s lamp continues to fascinate people to this day, some 100 years after it was first introduced. Perhaps there is something to its claims after all?

If you want to read more about the history of the banker’s lamp you can check out my article about it. If you are interested in getting one for yourself you should read through some of the articles in my buyer’s guide . Here I give you all kinds of tips for getting a bankers lamp and where to buy.

I hope you found this article informative. If you have any comments, questions or other inquiries, please leave a comment in the comment section below.

The post Why are bankers lamps green? appeared first on The Bankers Lamp.

This neat lamp is known as a bankers lamp. It has a design featuring a green glass lamp shade, typically fitted to a brass base. The design goes back over 100 years, and central to its success was the belief that green shades protected against eyestrain from the harsh light given off by the early light bulbs.

What’s so special with the design?

The design for the banker’s lamp was patented by its inventor, engineer Harrison D. McFaddin over 100 years ago. The patent described “a new, original and ornamental design for lampshades”. When the first lamp saw the light of day it featured a solid brass base holding an emerald-colored cased glass shade, housing a single light bulb.

Although the brass base had many design changes over the years, what made the lamp so characteristic was the green glass shade with its smooth curves and gently sloped front end which shielded the user from the intense light of the light bulb, while still illuminating the workplace.

Why are they called bankers lamps?

Originally, it was not known as the banker’s lamp, but as the Emeralite. A combination of emerald and light, due to the color of the characteristic glass shade. The lamp became very popular within the banking industry.

At the time of its introduction, light bulbs gave off a very intensive and harsh light that was uncomfortable to look at. It was thought that working in this intensive light could cause eye-strain.

At the same time, it was a popular belief that green shades could lessen this eyestrain, especially among those in vision-intensive, detailed-oriented occupations such as telegraphers, copy editors and accountants.

Because of this,  it was common in these occupations wore those green visors from the late 19th to the middle of the 20th century. The Emeralite capitalized on this belief, and through some clever marketing, it became the favorite desk lamp in among bank employees and executives, so much that it is most widely known as the banker’s lamp today.

Why does it appear s in movies all the time?

Well, there is a short answer and there are many reasons. One is that it is a widely known design that catches the eye of the viewer. Another is that it gives a sense of nostalgia and authenticity to the scene, especially in scenes set in a library or bank.

If you are interested you can read my article about the banker’s lamp in movies. Here I give lots of examples where you might have seen it before and some of the reasons behind its popularity in the movie industry.

Where you can get one:

The company behind the original banker’s lamp was dissolved in the 1960s. The remaining original lamps from before WW2 is sought after as antiques. Getting your hands on one might not that easy, but given some effort, you might just be lucky.

You can read more about where to find an original Emeralite in this article. Here I give you some pointers on what to look for to make sure it’s the real deal, and how much you should be prepared to pay.

If you just want a cool bankers lamp, there are plenty of retailers selling bankers lamps all around the world. One of the best places to get a bankers lamp is Amazon.com. Here they have plenty of bankers lamps in different styles and colors. You can also check out my buyers guide where I give lots of tips on how and where to get a bankers lamp that you like, and what you should be aware of before purchasing in-store or online.

The post What is a bankers lamp? appeared first on The Bankers Lamp.