New addition to my collection - NOT lava, but it's kind of a lamp.

[Jonas Clark-Elliott]

Dunno if anyone else sometimes posts about other things they collect... I collect old ceiling fans. It's not a big collection, and I'm more into vintage (70s-80s) than antique. One antique variety, from the 1930s, I've been after for years, and I don't stand much chance of getting one: the so-called Mid-West Fan-Lite, made by Mid-West Chandelier Co. of Kansas.

These were invented by one Clarence W. Le Velle. Midwest built plain versions without lights, and their line ranged all the way up to models built inside their ornate Art Deco chandeliers. The concept was a ceiling fan that doesn't have those "ugly" blades poking out-- except when you need a fan. Otherwise, it masquerades as a chandelier. Or, if you bought the plain version, a brass hubcap hanging from your ceiling. I barely missed a plain model a decade ago for $125; I'm now told even the plainest model is worth $900+!

Sometime in the early 80s, three guys in Texas got together over a Fan-Lite owned by one's parents, which was one of the ornate models, a cast brass Art Deco chandelier with five shell-shaped "slipper shades." They decided to pool their money and have a company in Taiwan manufacture copies of this fan. They started as the Eagle Fan Corp. of Lufkin, Texas, got it up and on the market-- and then went bankrupt. I've seen less of those over the years (3) than I have the antique ones (about 15).

Searching Seattle Craigslist usually brings up cheapo fans. Unlike the South, they were never a huge fixture up here, so there aren't as many cool older ones around. Ad says "Ceiling fan - $50 - Bellevue." Bellevue is a ritzy area, so I assume it's a cheapo priced high. It wasn't. I send a reply as fast as I could type, and got a response the following morning.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08nvrVKf2Ro

The guy who sold it to me was its original owner. He bought it in the Midwest in the early 80s. He packed it back into the original box with the styrofoam, bubble wrap and everything! The box has some lovely graphics, Victorian imagery surrounded by Art Nouveau vines and flowers, and it calls this fan the "Grand Duchess." The Grand Duchess indeed - the fan is built exactly like the originals mechanics-wise and is an exact copy of a Fan-Lite model 16 down to the last detail. The only differences being new-style electricals, and a modern motor (the old ones used a cast-iron Hunter brand motor). More info with the video.

~ Jonas

[lava luva ~ Tiffany]

wow jonas that is one gorgeous fan!...i like to hear about the other things people collect besides lava :)

i collect vintage glassware pyrex and fireking mostly...i also have a small collection of vintage kitchen appliances mostly from the 50s...i enjoy refurbing and painting them...especialy mixers :) 

[Jonas Clark-Elliott]

I've seen a fair number of appliance collectors over the years. I'd give almost anything to have a working Toast-O-Lator.

I collect pyrex, too, but a different sort: I like old scientific and laboratory glassware.