I am looking for pictures of antique/old black lightbulbs?

Question

I collect beach glass, and recently found a "black amethyst" (or so I thought) piece. I sent a pic to a beach glass historian who is convinced it is part of the base of an old lightbulb, but the glass is too thick to be that of a lightbulb.

I am trying to find pics of what she is talking about, with no luck. Can you help me?

Here is a pic of the glass, for reference. It is a deep purple when held up to light, but black in appearance.

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii25/melissajane1979/DSC05108.jpg

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii25/melissajane1979/DSC05105.jpg

Please let me know if the links do not work, and if I am posting this in the wrong section, please re-direct me.

Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

Would be nice if there were something in the picture to scale the piece (dime or ruler) and if the light was coming from behind the camera and not from behind the piece.  Perhaps also cut a hole of right shape in cardboard and try to photograph it against a sunlight to show color.  

I downloaded your pictures and lightened them considerably and posted them here

http://www.flickr.com/photos/9672970@N08...

but doesn't help much as to shape and detail and may be misleading.

Answer 2

"who is convinced it is part of the base of an old light bulb", not actually the light bulb itself.  It could possibly be part of a base for a light bulb, but I'm not sure how that would work.  It's interesting because it looks like it's smooth on one side and rough on the other.  

http://inventors.about.com/library/inven...

This is the closest picture I can find to a light bulb that might have a base made of something similar to what you found.

It looks like raw amethyst normally is in a crystal type form, so if what you have *is* black amethyst I'm guessing it came from some finished processed piece.

Answer 3

It looks like poo... till you look at the 2nd pic.

Answer 4

she may have meant a fuse browse this sight http://bulbcollector.com/gateway/Electri...

or here

http://bulbs.2yr.net/vintage.html

mayby this is it

http://bulbs.2yr.net/wabash-blackout-bul...

Answer 5

I don't think that's part of a lightbulb, but I could be wrong. The glass looks way too thick. Could be part of an old bottle, or old glass insulator..hard to tell from the pics. Pretty though..I've never found beach glass in that color.