Replacement Lamps

 

We'll start this page with some of the earliest lamps known to be used for Christmas tree illumination, and will progress towards the more modern lamps presented on the second page of this section, all in a rough chronological order. 

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.


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