"UNION" Safe Christmas Lights

[gary-g]

Here is a box set that you don't see very often. It is made by the Union Insulating Co. of Parkersburg, W.V .Set No. 147 for INDOOR use only. Original price of $1.69. I can't really pin down a year but I am thinking before 1955 as I will explain. The graphics are quite good. Aside from the cover and the great inside graphic of Santa and his reindeer, the sides of the box also have a different graphic of a winter scene with a horse drawn coach and other landscapes. The light string is what was in the box, so it may or may not be correct. Still checking on that. Getting back to the box, the back is what caught my attention. There is a Union Made- International Brotherhood Of Electrical Workers stamp at the bottom, stating their affiliation with the American Federation Of Labor. The AFL. The AFL did not merge with the CIO until 1955 so I figure the age of the box to be before then. The back also states if there is a problem to return the set direct to the factory before January 5. It doesn't say what year. Makes me wonder, was it only made for one season? There is also another stamp at the top of the box. This one from the Rice Leaders of the World Association. The Rice Leaders were founded in 1912 and was a" by invitation" association of successful manufacturers that had shown prompt service and, basically, good value , good customer relations and business practices. So there we are, a Christmas Light set with a little history lesson! It would be interesting if anyone else has any info about this set.

[paulrace]

The cast rubber plug on a set with Bakelite sockets seems unusual to me, too, but maybe I just haven't been paying attention.

[Noel-kat]

Nice box set Gary, never seen that one before. Socket set is most likely original, unusual to have both a rubber and bake-lite plug on a lighting set but not unheard of. NOMA used rubber plugs on an all rubber set made in 41 for outdoor decorating so rubber molded plugs were around quite early.