I know that perhaps over the years these ornaments have been mixed up by their previous. These handblown glass ornaments were first produced in germany in the mid 19th century, but in the midst of world war ii, european imports. Holiday splendor 1 count shiny brite night light white. Tiny plastic choir boys, a somewhat weary looking elf, a flapper styled angel. The origin of americanmade christmas ornaments and shiny brite. Vintage shiny brite original box with 12 matte gold ball ornaments 2 sizes. I bought a box of old shiny brite ornaments and some other glass orn. Theyre called shiny brite, and the story behind them is rooted, surprisingly, in war. By 1940 corning was making about 300,000 ornaments a day, compared with the perhaps 600 for a skilled german glassblower, and sending them to other companies for decoration. A brief history of christmas tree ornaments collectibles. In 1926, eckhart and his brother opened a toy and ornament factory in their birthplace of. These ornaments are very intricately painted and have very specific designs where you can tell its a shiny brite.
See more ideas about vintage christmas ornaments, vintage. For all of these reasons, i would not use the cap as an identifier for a shiny brite. Shiny brite christmas ornaments the story 1 after world war i, the manufacture and purchase of german glass christmas ornaments resumed although it was apparent in the 1930s that another war was looming. Glass trim time shiny brite product pink christmas ornament set of twelve. An appeal was made for former employees to join us with a tale swap of their experiences at shiny brite. Shiny brite christmas tree ornaments box, 19441946 the.
Shiny brite originated with a german toymaker named max eckardt. There are some in the shiny brite box that actually say shiny brite on the ornament. Shiny christmas ornaments, shiny brite christmas ornaments, vintage shiny brite christmas ornaments are designed for high demand commercial decorating applications. Eckardt had been importing handblown glass balls from germany since around 1907, but had the foresight to anticipate a. Some folks especially those selling on online like to call an ornament a shiny brite, just because it came with that cap, or it has that a scene or stencil on it.
That clearly means terribly knowledgeable in my book. The shiny brite company produced the most popular christmas tree ornaments in the united states throughout the 1940s and 1950s. Ornaments are almost always reused year after year. What began with a purchase of 5 adorable shiny brite bell ornaments in 2009 has. The shiny brite ornament collection by christopher radko is a line of vintage glass christmas decor that hearkens back to the nostalgia of 1940s and 1950s america. Early pre war ornaments often had large sections of opaque silver and metallic color. Its safe to say that maxs plan proved to be worth it since adolf hitler and the british blockade would ultimately stop the import. Some were in boxes that said shiny brite, others were unboxed. Corning was producing over 300,000 ornaments a day instead of the 600 glassblown ornaments made in germany per day. In the early 20th century, japan entered the christmas market, consistently underselling the germans. There are many more ornaments than i could ever photograph and show you.
The history of shiny brite ornaments in brief, by cassandra. Eckardt had been importing hand blown glass balls from germany since around 1907, but had the foresight to anticipate a disruption in his supply from the upcoming war. History of christmas ornaments global history blog. New york each year, as part of christmas, we pull out a box of shiny brite glass ornaments. But we keep the box, as it reminds us of another era, when americans actually made things. I tried a moist paper towel on a broken piece and it took off the snow and the paint. The history behind those vintage shiny brite christmas ornaments. The shiny brite company produced the most popular christmas tree ornaments in the united states throughout the 1940s and 50s. Ive always admired them, but now my curiosity is officially piqued. The history of the shiny brite christmas ornament did you know. No matter what youre looking for or where you are in the world, our global marketplace of sellers can help you find unique and affordable options. The fact that shinybrite ornaments were an americanmade product was stressed as a selling point during world war ii. Shiny brite also produced numerous plastic christmas items.
Response was from several interesting folks who brought with them not only stories of their employment, but. Christmas ornaments, baubles, christmas bulbs or christmas bubbles or christmas ball balls are decorations usually made of blown glass, metal, wood, blown plastics, expanded polystyrene or ceramics that are used to festoon a christmas tree. Eckhardt had been importing handblown glass balls from germany since around 1907, but had the foresight to anticipate a. The shiny brite company produced the most popular christmas tree ornaments in the united states throughout the 1940s and 1950s in 1937, max eckardt established shiny brite ornaments, working with the corning glass company to massproduce glass christmas ornaments. Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search.
New listing 1 vintage empty shiny brite ornament box, shiny brite red box, rare shiny brite. The shiny brite story of max eckardt and sons is chronicled along with rival. When i was a kid, my parents always had a hodge podge of different antique decorations for the holidays. This year when it came time to decorate the tree in my dining room, i went with a preppy theme a white christmas tree decorated with vintage pinkandgreen shinybrite ornaments. I did try to email you about an ornament i have that no one seems to be able to identify in the groups im in on facebook for vintage shiny brites. Holiday splendor 1 count shiny brite night light red. When americans stopped importing handblown christmas ornaments from germany during world war ii, an enterprising importer of german goods named max eckardt convinced the corning glass company to mass produce machineblown bulbs. Eckardt was born in 1890 in oberlind, which was 20 miles away from the glass ornament. See more ideas about vintage christmas ornaments, vintage christmas and retro christmas. Whats the history behind these adorable little ornaments. Shiny christmas ornaments, vintage shiny brite christmas. In 1955, thor, a chicago washing machine manufacturer, purchased the company, which eventually produced about 75 percent of the ornaments sold worldwide. See more ideas about shiny brite ornaments, ornaments and christmas ornaments.
Eckardt was born in 1890 in oberlind, which was 20 miles away from the glass ornament hub of lauscha. Shiny brite ornaments ruby lane follow this search. Eckardt was a german immigrant who decided to make his own ornaments, and sold them under the shiny brite name. Add shiny brite ornaments to your mantel anywhere you have a little blank space, just add an ornament.
Postwwi, shiny brite became the largest ornament manufacturer in the world. In 1937, max eckardt established shiny brite ornaments, working with the corning glass company to massproduce glass christmas ornaments. Collecting vintage christmas ornaments always a collector. The history of shiny brite ornaments retro christmas cards. Just before wwii, and in anticipation of the growing scarcity of german ornaments, an american company began manufacturing its own versions of these. Initially shiny brite ornaments were lacquered by machine on. In 1937 max eckhardt established shiny brite ornaments, working with the corning glass company to mass produce glass christmas ornaments. Book depository books with free delivery worldwide. The 1950s was the shiny brite heyday, with eckardt operating four new jersey factories to keep pace with the demand. In 1926, he opened his first ornament company in oberlind with his.
If you ever want to know if an ornament is actually a shiny brite. Ornaments take many different forms, from a simple round ball to highly artistic designs. Eckardts company decorated and sold many of these bulbs under the name shiny brite a brand that would remain one of americans favorites into the 1950s. Most of my vintage ornaments are the shiny brite brand and they and their boxes are very valuable now. Holiday splendor 1 count shiny brite night light green. We use the manufacturer measurements when available. Shiny brite ornaments were created by american businessman max eckardt in 1937. History of shiny brite christmas ornaments youtube. Interestingly, the history of the shiny brite ornament was directly impacted by wartime america. I cant think of a more lovely ornament than a round, patinad, fragile, shiny brite. New listing 3 vintage empty ornament boxes, vintage shiny brite, double glo christmas orn. Source and thats probably because there were shiny brites in many colors, shapes, and sizes. I bought one of my favorites for my girls santa with a sleigh and reindeer.
Shop for shiny brite glass ornaments online at target. The manufacture of shiny brite ornaments can be linked to the history of the lauscha ornament industry through shiny brites entrepreneur max eckhart. The story behind vintage shiny brite christmas ornaments. The christmas tree book the history of the christmas tree. Starting in the early 1900s all the way up to the late 1970s. I heart shiny brite vintage ornaments home facebook. Society, in its effort to compile the history of the township, was made aware of the ornament production in emigsville in the 1960s. Dating of the ornaments is often facilitated by studying the hook.
Shiny brite christmas ornaments hung on many trees in mid1900s. Almost every home in america had shiny brite ornaments of their tree. After world war i, the manufacture and purchase of. Shiny brite holiday splendor christopher radko ornaments. Im thrilled to be sharing it as part of the home for christmas. Shiny brite was actually the trade name of the ornaments, but the name has been confused over the years as the style name of the ornaments. Inexpensive colorful glass christmas ornaments have been an important part of american christmas tree decorating since the 1880s, when retailer frank w. Interestingly, the history of the shiny brite ornament was directly. I inevitably loose a few each year to crashing to the floor and in just breaks my heart. Christopher radko shiny brite holiday splendor 6 count 3. The first glass ornaments were made in germany in the 1800s. Early pre war ornaments often had large sections of opaque silver and metallic colour. The largest customer was max eckhardt who by now had established an allamerican company known as shiny brite.
I did a board search and couldnt find any specifics. After wwii was declared, decorative silver nitrate became a nonessential use of metal, so many of the ornaments were stripped of any silvering, and were mainly transparent with only hand painted colour on the outside of the bulb. These handblown glass ornaments were first produced in germany in the mid19th century, but in the midst of world war ii, european imports. Before world war ii, almost all of the glass ornaments on american christmas trees were imported from germany. The first shinybrite ornaments had the traditional metal cap and loop, with the hook attached to the loop, from which the ornament was hung from the tree.
If youre still checking that email address listed in your blog, i would love to hear if you think its a shiny brite or not. Shiny brites were proudly made in the usa a selling point during wwii as previous to this many glass ornaments were imported from germany. Vintage white christmas tree with shinybrite ornaments. The boxed sets of rounds and shapes, finials, garland, icicles, and more will bring your childhood tree to your home today. Please tell us what you can about shiny brite and the ornament. Almost every home in america had shiny brite ornaments of their tree from the 1940s1950s. Antique ornaments christmas ornaments from the 50s. Collecting shiny brite ornaments the cavender diary.
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