The Lamp of Professor Anton Cholotov

Description

Professor Anton Cholotov was once a world renowned explorer and finder of unusual objects. He travelled around the globe in search of ever more unusual artifacts until the year he returned raving about a magical lamp he had found in the far-off land of Tupillil. He placed the lamp on his desk but never, ever lit it. If asked why not, his only answer was “NO!” He would not let his housekeeper, Mrs. Favrisham, dust in his study for fear her curiosity would lead her to attempt to light the lamp.

After his return from Tupillil the Professor never travelled again, always staying at home, going over his old journals and notes. Then one evening he did not emerge from his study for his usual supper. Mrs. Favrisham finally knocked on the door and received no answer. She knocked several more times and finally got up the courage to open the door. To her amazement, the lamp was lit but there was no sign of the Professor! She fearfully pulled the cord to extinguish the lamp and left the room, closing the door firmly behind her.

Professor Cholotov was never seen or heard from again. Mrs. Favrisham continued to live in the Professor’s old house until her death at the age of 113, but she never again entered the study. When the solicitors came to inventory the contents of the house they found the lamp, still sitting on the Professor’s desk, with a tiny note next to it. Upon examination with a magnifying glass it was found to read “To light this lamp is not advised. Please be careful or you could be resized.”

This lamp CAN be lit. It takes a ceiling fan sized light bulb (standard size light bulb base, however). Due to the embellishment around the pull chain one must pull the chain horizontally so it does not catch on the gear. The lamp measures 17 1/4” high and the base is 4 1/2” x 4 1/2”. The lamp is made of brass, gears, aluminum and glass. The marble base has leather on the bottom to protect surfaces. The lamp will be shipped disassembled.

PLEASE NOTE: THE SHIPPING COSTS LISTED INCLUDE INSURANCE FOR ALL DESTINATIONS (Insured for $100). Shipping will be via Parcel Post for all US destinations and Priority Mail International for non-US destinations. If you prefer alternative shipping methods (to include UPS or FEDex) please convo me BEFORE paying for the item.

All images ©2009 Kathleen Huss

Added on Oct 14, 2009