Talk about vintage Christmas lights

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PostPosted: Wed Nov 12, 2014 4:32 pm 
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A reader writes:

My mother passed away a few years ago and we found an old pre-lit Noma Christmas tree. It is white with blue lamps (MAZDA lamps) and was Cat No. 532W. It is approx. 3 ft tall. We could notread the postmark date of when it was shipped. I was hoping to be able to find out a little more about it and it's worth. Is there anyone at Noma that can help me? It was actually purchased by my grandparents. My grandfather at one time owned a grocery store, so I am not sure if he bought it or it was a promotional item.

-------Our Reply----------------------

Thanks for getting in touch. I'm passing your note on to a friend who knows a lot more about this than I do, Fred Fox, who runs the Noel Kat online vintage Christmas decoration store. Also, it would really help if you could send me a photo. If you can, just hit "repy all" and attach it so Fred will see it too.

----- Fred's Reply---------------------

Sounds like a NOMA 32 inch horizontal socket miniature base tree. Value
would vary depending on condition as the visca (what the branches are
wrapped with) had a tendency to discolor and in some cases shed in
particular if it had been one of the ones made during the 1950s as these
were treated with fire retardant from the manufacture and this retardant
caused deterioration of the visca over time. Original box condition and
if it was still equipped with the original lamps which were stubby with
a rounded end would also effect value. The NOMA Company only exist as a
brand name and has not existed as a company since the mid 1960s so there
is no one to contact. I could give you a better idea if you could send
pictures.

------------------------------

The reader sent photos.

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Instructions for little green tree.jpg
Instructions for little green tree.jpg [ 58.16 KiB | Viewed 21018 times ]


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Label from big tree box.jpg
Label from big tree box.jpg [ 53.98 KiB | Viewed 21018 times ]


Attachment:
Label from little tree box.jpg
Label from little tree box.jpg [ 46.22 KiB | Viewed 21018 times ]


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Little green tree with base.jpg
Little green tree with base.jpg [ 65.24 KiB | Viewed 21018 times ]


Attachment:
white tree in box 2.jpg
white tree in box 2.jpg [ 48.18 KiB | Viewed 21018 times ]


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PostPosted: Wed Nov 12, 2014 4:34 pm 
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Fred answered:

Let me start by saying they are both beautiful trees. The small tree is a Glolite Corp. Glass Candle Tree from about 1937. These were made in a number of colors, slight variations and in considerable numbers. They were meant for mantle or table top decoration and were quite affordable by most. Price today would probably put them at about 25.00 plus range if intact with the original box.
The large NOMA 31 inch Horizontal Socket Miniature Base Tree looks to be in exceptional shape and is from 1938. These were sold in mainly green and white and came in 8, 20 and 32 socket sizes. Green versions of the tree were sold with multi colored lamps and the whites were sold with all blue lamps. These are very highly sought after by collectors in this largest version of this tree NOMA made. Being that it is in white also increases the value greatly and I don't recall ever seeing one as white as this one looks to be, it is VERY well preserved. It's hard to put a firm value on it as like in most collectible markets prices have dropped and as I say I have not seen a white in this size in as nice a shape as this one. In an on-line auction this tree could quite easily go for between $600.00 and a 1000.00 depending on interest. I wouldn't be surprised at all to see it sell for the upper figure. If you have any questions I have not answered, just ask.


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PostPosted: Wed Nov 12, 2014 9:04 pm 
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Joined: Fri Apr 04, 2014 7:57 pm
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Location: grand rapids,mi.
What a find! Never in over 40 years of collecting vintage Christmas have I ever seen a tree as nice as this one. You are right Fred, this one is so well preserved, plus it still has the correct blue lamps in it. The branches are still nice and straight, not all curled up like so many that you find. There doesn't appear to be much shedding in the bottom of the box either. Can you imagine it setting on a table in a darkened room lit up? I think if it was listed on an auction site bidding fever would probably be rampant. What a terrific tree!


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