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| This 1954 set from Royalites is their
number 207, described in their catalog as follows: "120 volt candelabra
base set with 7 assorted color GE C-7 General Electric bulbs, ROYAL
KLIPS, female connector and extension plug. Packaged in NEW full-view
cellophane-window box, handsomely designed and printed in full color."
This was a new box design for Royal electric, and the "Deluxe"
nomenclature on the box is actually referring to the packaging, not the
set itself. Sadly, this was the only year the set was actually
manufactured, for the Christmas lighting division of Royal Electric
burned in 1955 and was never rebuilt. |
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| From NOMA, this set of individually
twinkling lights is powered by a low voltage transformer. The lamps
each have a bi-metallic type of twinkling device, and since the set is
wired in parallel, each lamp runs independently of the others. NOMA
offered this outfit for sale for only four years,1956 through 1960. It
is a hard one for the collector to find in good condition today. There
were two varieties of the outfit listed in the NOMA catalogs, set
number 3120 which had assorted color lamps and set number 3119. which
is pictured here, with all clear lamps. (The four colored lamps in the
set are improper replacements). The outfit is really quite pretty when
running, as the lamps are bright and twinkle merrily. You can hear each
of the lamps make a little pinging sound as they come on and off. |
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| Here is an inexpensive twinkling light
set from Holly. The transformer used in this set is identical to the
one used in the NOMA outfit pictured above-both are manufactured by the
Marex Company. Strangely, this less expensive outfit uses heavier wire
than do most outfits of this type, and the festoon is much less prone
to tangling. Another interesting feature is the fact that the box says
"LIFE" in bold lettering, referring to the fact that the twinkling
lights "add life to your tree". More likely is the blatant attempt to
confuse the buying public into thinking that the outfit was advertised
in LIFE Magazine, as many competing products proudly proclaim on their
boxes. This set is circa 1959. |
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| Offered by NOMA beginning in the very
late 1950s, this set of Kristal Lites uses General Electric's "lighted
ice" type lamps. There are many variations of these lamps, some using a
white Styrofoam covering (called Sno-Balls), real glass crystals and
plastic crystals. The lamps reached their peak of popularity in the
1970s, and are actually still made today. General Electric sold their
own outfits under their "Lighted Ice" trademark. This set is from the
collection of Chris Cuff. |
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