MANUFACTURER |
APPROX. DATES |
BASE SIZE/BULB
SIZE/VOLTAGE |
COMMENTS |
PICTURE |
VARIOUS |
1890-1902 |
no base
3-6 volt operation
depending upon model |
The earliest
lamps known to be used for Christmas lighting, these bulbs were hand
made and were strung around the tree like an electrical string of
pearls. Offered in both true colored glass and painted models. |
|
VARIOUS |
1890-1902 |
no base
3-6 volt operation
depending upon model |
Another form
of festoon lamp, these elongated models are perhaps the hardest of all
to find due to their extremely delicate nature. From the collection of Joe Blusnavage. Picture from Kilokat's
Light Site, and is used with permission. |
|
UNKNOWN
(but most likely General Electric) |
1900-1915 |
miniature
base
C-6 globe
110 volt |
Extremely
rare, this lamp from the collection of Chris Cuff is the only
miniature base 110 volt Christmas lamp I've ever seen. Although
at this point Christmas use is assumed, it was found with a
collection of other lamps definitely for Christmas use. The existence
of a parallel wired miniature base 110 volt Christmas lighting string
has not yet been confirmed. A most interesting lamp. |
|
Germany |
1900-1912 |
"French"
type
candelabra base
C-7 globe
110 volt |
This type of
lamp was often used in the earliest parallel wired lighting outfits,
and was common before base configurations became standardized in
America. Similar in size to an American candelabra base, it will
nonetheless not fit into that socket size due to mismatched thread
spacing. These lamps were colored with delicate, water soluble paints
that were not at all durable. |
|
Germany |
1908-1915 |
miniature
base
C-6 globe
16 volt |
Replacement
lamps for the Santa Claus Electric Candle outfit. The outfit was one of
the first "mainstream" prewired sets of Christmas lights, and came
originally with General Electric lamps. These German imports were less
expensive. |
|
Germany |
1910-1915 |
miniature
base
candle shaped globe
16 volt |
For a time in
the early days of electric Christmas lights, these candle shaped lamps
were offered to help ease the transition from traditional candles to
electric lights. Delicate and impractical, they are nonetheless
beautiful examples of early Christmas lighting. Japan also offered
similar lamps, but they were a bit more crudely made. |
|
Japan |
1918-1925 |
candelabra
base
C-7 globe
110 volt |
Many of the
earlier prewired Christmas lighting outfits used this type of lamp. It
is of true colored glass rather than painted, and puts out an enormous
amount of heat. From the collection of Chris Cuff. |
|
Germany |
1918-1925 |
miniature
base
pinecone shaped globe
16 volt |
"Lighted
Pinecones" or "seedpod" lamps were some of the first figural lamps
offered. None are known to be American made, but examples like these
from Germany are somewhat plentiful. They were offered in true colored
glass, and when originating in Japan, flashed colored. |
|
FRANCO |
1912-1920 |
candelabra
base
C-7 globes
110 volt |
Made by the
Franco Electric Company, the same company that was a large early
manufacturer of Christmas lighting strings. These lamps were flash
painted and are showing the typical results of age. FRANCO branded
lamps are quite rare today. From the collection of Chris Cuff. |
|
General
Electric |
1900-1912 |
miniature
base
C-6 globe
16 volt |
This lamp
with a liquid paste type bottom insulating material was one of three
types originally included in prewired Christmas lighting outfits. The
other lamps included in a typical set were clear (unfrosted), and red.
From the collection of Chris Cuff. |
|
General
Electric |
1910-1920 |
miniature
base
C-6 globe
6 volt |
Offered in
both clear glass and painted in colors, this lamps is a replacement for
battery operated outfits, running either off of dry cells, radio
batteries or car and tractor batteries. |
|
SK Japan |
ca 1922 |
miniature
base
C-6 cone
14-16 volt |
A recent
find, this set of Japanese made C-6 cone lamps all have CARBON
filaments rather than the expected tungsten material. This is an
indicator of early lamps |
|
Here
is an inside look at these uncommon lamps. This is a countertop box,
made to sell the lamps individually. It holds 100 bulbs. |
|