Sunday, November 8, 2015

NOSTALGIA: Antique Show Finds: Grannys' Ornaments

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NOSTALGIA! (2015 post revisit)

Sunday was a great day to visit a Antique Market at the Gray's Lake County Fairgrounds in Illinois.  E snagged a cute little table...for $10 outside...there was a fierce wind and it was cold despite the brilliant sunshine in Chicagoland. So we headed inside.
 (NOTE: this is November 2020 NOW---and I still don't buy for the Blog!)

I'm new to blogging and have decided to NOT buy for the blog, but only for myself, which is hard when you see so many wonderful things. I forgot the camera and the phone so no pictures of the show...but it was packed with Christmas.

(NOTE: this is November 2020 NOW---and I still don't buy for the Blog!)


But, I was on a search for these OLD Gurley wax ornaments from the 1950s.

Franklin Gurley was a candlemaker and started the W&F Maunufacturing company, and commissioned by an oil company (now ExxonMobil) to use up excess paraffin from oil refinery production. The Gurley's first products were marketed under the name Tavern and you will remember the wax lips and teeth we had in the 1950's for gag gifts and costumes. Then they began a small business making decorative and figurative holiday candles. Eventually this became the Gurley Novelty Company. They were very inexpensive and the ornaments soon followed. Gurley products were mostly sold in dime stores because they were so cheap during the 1940-1960's.

With the resurgence of 1950s vintage, they are collectible again and still quite inexpensive. Though  holiday candles, Gurleys were seldom burned because the paraffin burned very quickly and made a pool of colored wax on the tablecloth or table. The ornaments were very thin and fragile, were painted and embellished with old silver glitter, and they melted if stored in the attic or a garage.
 


My husband and I come from different backgrounds and styles. The one thing we had in common was these wax Christmas ornaments from our grandmothers. Between us we had more than a complete set.

Somewhere along the line in our marriage all our treasured wax ornaments melted in storage. Each year since, we would decorate the tree and talk about who this was from, and on what trip did we get the pineapple, or star, or glass ornament, etc. But always the tree was missing our 1950's wax ornaments from our grandmothers.  

My favorite was always the soldier. My family is Danish on my grandmother's side and Danes are partial to black-hats and redcoat soldiers. It is a recurrent theme in all Danish memorabilia. 

My oldest cousin, liked the angel, but she was white-blonde just like her.


 Yesterday at the antique show I saw many---in various states of yellowed, chipped, slumping and deglittered.


 Finally I found these. I think the only one missing now is the the reindeer, which seems elusive even online. They aren't perfect, but neither were Grannys', we are talking late 1940's early 1950's here.


 Hubby says the snowman was always his favorite...big smiles from him when I spread out my booty.


So our childhood memories are returned home to us. I'm sure they belonged to someone's grandmother. So, I will be fine calling them Grannys' ornaments again. I haven't cleaned them yet, or yet, decided to REDO or restore them.

What are your favorite childhood ornaments? I know we all have stories connected to these special holiday memories. Please share or post a link to your own Old, New, Green or Redo Christmas favorites in your comments.

All the opinions and photographs in this blog are my own or I am in possesion of the originals, 
I have not been paid or reimbursed in anyway for my opinions, posts or products used. 
Please do not use my photos without linking back to this blog without my permission. 
Thank you for your cooperation, Sandi Magle


Thanks always for stopping by, I love to hear your comments.

I will be sharing at these parties: 


Sandi


 
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42 comments:

  1. AudreyNovember 8, 2015 at 1:18 PM

    Hi Sandi ... love these ... I think I have that same set but have not used them for several years. I have Santa's boots, but don't think I have the reindeer, but will look to see. I think the reason this set is hard to find is because, being wax, kids would chew them. I just looked back in my blogs and found this Christmas post for 2011 when I first started blogging and you can see the Santa boots. Look closely in one of the pictures further down, of the tree, you can see the drummer boy. http://audreyzumwalt.blogspot.com/2012/12/christmas-tree-and-antique-ornaments.html. I keep these wrapped in wax paper and stored in a little box and they have stayed pretty nice. Glad to find someone who loves the old ornaments like I do.
    Blessings,
    Audrey Z. @ Timeless Treasures

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    1. Sandi MagleNovember 8, 2015 at 5:26 PM

      ooh, ooh Audrey....love the boots, but I don't remember them. I see the drummer boy, perhaps that explains the (sets) of soldiers online, but I also don't remember him. I wonder if the boots were later by the size. Very cool ornaments on your tree. When we unpack the ornaments for the 4-5 trees I have done in the pass, I will share some more...but thanks so much for the pictures, and I love your houses and the turquoise ornament(I have that one from my husband's grandmother). So cool! Sandi

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  2. Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble ChristmasNovember 8, 2015 at 4:56 PM

    These are so sweet!! Glad you were able to replace them!!
    Thanks so much for stopping by!!
    Hugs,
    Deb

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    1. Sandi MagleNovember 8, 2015 at 5:27 PM

      Hugs back, yes we are into memories here as we get older, and of course making new ones for the Grand. thanks for visiting me, Sandi

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  3. S H ElliottNovember 8, 2015 at 6:06 PM

    Those are the cutest ornaments. They harken back to my early years. Ha! Thanks for visiting me. Sheila

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  4. xinexNovember 8, 2015 at 6:56 PM

    What treasure! I love the 50's and anything from that year my birthyear!....Christine

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  5. quakerhillfarmNovember 9, 2015 at 8:52 AM

    What memories! I think I might have a santa at home "somewhere"? I need to look for him..brings back so many memories of my childhood! Thanks for sharing. Have a beautiful week, Lynn

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  6. DD's CottageNovember 9, 2015 at 8:55 AM

    Love the wax ornaments!

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  7. thepaintedapron.comNovember 9, 2015 at 9:25 AM

    Oh nostalgia! My mother had those!
    Jenna

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    1. Sandi MagleNovember 10, 2015 at 10:14 AM

      Thanks for stopping by...glad you remember them. Sandi

      Delete
  8. Amy at Ms. Toody Goo ShoesNovember 9, 2015 at 9:32 PM

    Those are adorable, Sandi! Glad you were able to find them, and bring back some childhood memories!

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    1. Sandi MagleNovember 10, 2015 at 10:15 AM

      Thanks Amy, yes was a big grin when I got home and showed them to Hubby.

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  9. Beth in NEPANovember 10, 2015 at 6:53 AM

    Those little ornaments are just adorable. I mostly remember the ornaments my family made. I enjoyed my visit to your blog.

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    1. Sandi MagleNovember 10, 2015 at 10:14 AM

      LOL, funny you should say that. For years i made those dreaded pin, pearl and sequin ornaments for my grandmother, until my fingers were bloody. But we have kept all the handmades and they are on themed trees, when I put them all up, including the waxed paper German stars that were dipped in candlewax and glittered. Thanks for visiting.

      Delete
  10. Mrs.TNovember 10, 2015 at 7:37 AM

    My grandmother had these candles and some of them were passed on to me. Can you tell me if some of these candles were actually manufactured as ornaments, or did people add the tiny screw eyes to hang them by? I am sorry to say that I am not even sure where mine are. I think they are in with my other candles -- and I hope so, for if they are in the attic they have surely melted and cooled many times by now!

    In recent years I have found that the Vermont Country Store carries the vintage-style candles that look like these -- the ones that look like little caroling choir boys. They are $14.95 for a set of three.

    I'll be back and visit again! Thanks for stopping by my blog as well!

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    1. Sandi MagleNovember 10, 2015 at 10:11 AM

      Hi Mrs. T. These are hollow and were simply made by the candle company. This is why they melted so easily and they were always ornaments, originally sold for a few pennies each. You are correct, Vermont Country Store, bought some of the original candle molds. I looked online and they have very little available now. I think everyone had those cherubic choir boys. Thanks for stopping by...and I hope somehow yours survived. I saw quite a few at this show all under $5 each.

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  11. Sandi@ Rose Chintz CottageNovember 10, 2015 at 7:53 AM

    What cute little candle ornaments, Sandi. I always liked soldiers too. When I was growing up my mother had some lovely ornaments and there was a little glass turquoise horn that really tooted. It was a favourite. My brother and I always took turns blowing in it. Pity I don't have it! Enjoy your candles and thank you for sharing with us.

    Autumn blessings,
    Sandi

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    1. Sandi MagleNovember 10, 2015 at 10:06 AM

      Aw, Sandi, chase down that little horn...maybe two---so you can give one to your brother. Grins and thanks for stopping by! from Sandi

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  12. CherylNovember 10, 2015 at 9:04 AM

    I remember these when I was little!! Mom had the set you do now, I don't know what happened to them along the way! Brings back memories and I always love the old ornaments back then. Have a wonderful week!

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    1. Sandi MagleNovember 10, 2015 at 10:05 AM

      Cheryl, thanks for stopping by. This was very fun replacing them. Sandi

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  13. SnapNovember 10, 2015 at 12:52 PM

    The OLD Gurley wax ornaments are wonderful! You are so lucky to have them. Isn't the hunt for them fun???!!!! Enjoy!

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    1. Sandi MagleNovember 11, 2015 at 2:28 PM

      Yes, condition was an issue though. Lucky this show had a couple of hundred dealers so I could pick and choose. Thabnks for stopping by.

      Delete
  14. Celestina MarieNovember 10, 2015 at 7:18 PM

    Hi Sandi, sounds like the antique market was fun. Love the Gurley wax ornaments. What a treasure. I love the old vintage ornaments and have many WWII ornaments passed down from my parents. Enjoy your wonderful find.
    Have a great week. xo

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  15. Chloe CrabtreeNovember 11, 2015 at 12:47 PM

    I never knew about these wax ornaments, what an amazing treasure you had and have fortunately been able to replace! Thank you for sharing over at Celebrate it Sunday! I hope to see you again on Saturday night!

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  16. Sandi MagleNovember 11, 2015 at 2:29 PM

    You are young, they really are from the 1950's and melted in many an attic, I'm afraid. Thanks for stopping by, Sandi

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  17. Thelma November 11, 2015 at 4:57 PM

    HI Sandi, I love your wax ornaments. I have been collecting wax santa ornaments from flea markets and other places.. I hope to get time to blog them this yr.
    I'm not sure if they are Gurley. I do have a caroller that could be one.
    Thanks for the history on Gurley. I will be back to visit.
    I am your newest member.

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  18. Tea in the LibraryNovember 12, 2015 at 5:38 AM

    I am sure you have struck a common chord with many of us! So glad you shared your finds. It has brought back some nice memories. Cheers

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  19. My thrift store addictionNovember 15, 2015 at 6:53 PM

    Sandi, these are wonderful! I really enjoyed learning the history--it is always fun to find a treasure that takes us back to childhood memories. I was not familiar with the old wax ornaments so thank you for sharing the @Vintage Charm!

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  20. DianaNovember 16, 2015 at 4:18 PM

    Love this post and all the great info; I'm posting it on my Antiques & Vintage Resource board. I love Gurleys but had no idea they made ornaments as well as candles. Perhaps they were only available in certain parts of the country?

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    1. Sandi MagleNovember 17, 2015 at 7:02 PM

      It wasn't clear on my search if they went under Tavern or Gurley...depends on when they were made. I did see a box full online in a Tavern box. Since they were made out East, I would assume they would be available at least there and the Midwest for sure, through the dimestores and some department stores. We had Woolworth's, Benjamin Franklin, and Kresge's dimestores here, it might depend on the chains of those dimestores in your area? Can you imagine they went for under a dime in some places each. Hope that helps, Sandi

      Delete
  21. Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. OlsonNovember 17, 2015 at 12:58 AM

    Oh Sandi, I have been on the lookout for Gurley candles. I'm thrilled that you scored some! Can you believe that an antiques store in New England had $25 on one of these little candles? They are all just precious. Love the lamb! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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    1. Sandi MagleNovember 17, 2015 at 7:03 PM

      Hmmm, I will keep an eye out for you...lol, and we will make a swap. I dont' know if I will get to an antique show again until after Christmas, but you never know! Sandi

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  22. Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. OlsonNovember 18, 2015 at 3:38 PM

    Hey cutie, hopping back because I just have to feature your darling candles as SYC. this week. Thanks for keeping your eye out!
    hugs,
    Jann

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    1. Sandi MagleNovember 19, 2020 at 10:32 AM

      Wow, I missed this in the buzz of that year...Hugs, Jann. and thank-you! Sandi

      Delete
  23. Sheltie TimesNovember 18, 2020 at 2:35 PM

    Certain decorations are hard to store. I have some of those wax Christmas figures and they are beautiful. I miss attending the various craft and Church fairs this year where you get to see old and new decorations. I've found some vintage items at Church Christmas sales that are so amazing. Another year.

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    1. Sandi MagleNovember 19, 2020 at 10:34 AM

      We had moved, and a few boxes went to the attic...and I never even thought about the wax. I had gorgeous wax bells also, which I haven't even been able to find photos of. Yes, scouring thrift stores a bazaars, which there are none right now, are the best for ornaments. Thanks for your visit! Sandi

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  24. Dee | GrammysGrid.comNovember 18, 2020 at 4:08 PM

    I love the old ornaments my grandmother used. Thanks so much for linking up with me at #AThemedLinkup 34 for All Things Christmas.

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    1. Sandi MagleNovember 19, 2020 at 10:35 AM

      I'm digging up old posts, because we won't decorate until after Thanksgiving, and maybe very little this year! Thanks for visiting! Sandi

      Delete

Thank you for any and all comments. I will be happy to answer any questions or comments in replies or email! HUGS!

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