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| The cover of this NOMA set of C-9 outdoor lights gives no clue as to the unusual variation in the contents. A overpasted white label describes the use of spring loaded sockets, a new development for NOMA. The set is well weatherproofed for outdoor use, including the berry beads, which are plastic instead of the more common wood. The inner flap of the box describes the set as a model 3000, but the end of the box says it is a 3005. A look through the NOMA catalogs reveals that this outfit is a first year (1933) issue, as by 1934 the sets did not incorporate the berry beads and were referred to by NOMA as "red cap" outfits, whereby the wires passed through the sockets without solder joints. Also, 1934 and later sets had a properly printed inner flap with no overpaste label. It is unusual to be able to date an outfit to a specific year of manufacture. |  |
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Featuring General Electric Mazda Bell lamps, this outfit by Royal is the only one of two that I've found that has a box especially made for these lamps (see the other box below). NOMA also issued a set with the bells, but in one of their standard boxes. The distinctive bell shaped lights were produced until the beginning of World War II. Below is a Royal C-9 outdoor set, and a similar box by Paramount offering a simple series type outfit arranged in the pyramid style like the set above. All of these outfits are from the early 1930s.
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| This outfit is circa 1932, and was manufactured by Reliance. It is not typical box art for the times, as most examples of Christmas lighting outfits of this era are in much more colorful containers. The Reliance name does not appear anywhere on the box, which is also unusual. In most cases, manufacturers would proudly display their names in a prominent place on the cover, especially when their outfit contained quality American-made Mazda lamps. A most uncommon set. |  |
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| This set of circa 1937 cartoon character figural lights is quite similar to those offered by other companies during this time as well. All of the various companies selling the licensed figural lights such as Betty Boop, Dick Tracy, etc. purchased their lamps from the same Japanese manufacturer and sold them in either boxed sets like this one or separately. The box itself is quite rare, but the lights are fairly easy to find. the light pictured on the right is Dick Tracy. |  |
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| Below is an assortment of outfits typical of this era. All of these boxes are thin cardboard, with attached "flip up" lids and thin cloth covered wires connected to bakelite sockets. The thin cardboard construction and the flip up lids are very typical of mid 1930s sets. Also pictured are front and back views of a charming Santa Claus light bulb with a standard size base. These lights were often used in wall, hallway or porch light fixtures for the holiday season. | ||
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| circa 1936 Glolite | circa 1936
Muter "Twin Four" This cord set is a bit unusual in that it had two strings of four lights each that interconnected, to allow for easier decorating. |
circa 1937 Sterling |
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| circa 1937 Majestic | circa 1937 Peerless | circa 1938 Santa Claus light bulbs |
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| circa 1938 TIMCO | circa 1938 ClemCo | circa 1938 Unknown |
| This outfit from Pass and Seymour Incorporated is not common. The company has been in business since 1892 making electrical devices, and is still operating at the same address as when they started. The outfit is a typical weatherproofed C-9 set, with a lacquered cotton cloth covered cord. The set includes a socket adapter so that the light could be powered from the porch light if used outdoors. The manufacturer's suggested uses for the light set includes Thanksgiving, Halloween, the Fourth of July, May Day, Valentine's Day and of course, Christmas. Circa 1935. CLICK HERE to the the restoration steps undertaken on this outfit. |
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| Circa 1932, this outfit from the Goodlite Company of Bridgeport, Connecticut is a typical offering from that company. The lamps are outside coated Japanese C-9 intermediate base examples, and the cord is marked Goodlite, which is uncommon. Most Goodlite offerings were economy sets, with low quality cords and inexpensive imported lamps. This set is no exception, as the cord lacks the typical weatherproofing usually evident on more expensive sets. |
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