Tyler Brooks
Gurley candles are small, figurine-shaped candles created by the Gurley Novelty Company, which was owned by Franklin Gurley. The company was in operation from 1939 to 1994 and specialised in holiday-themed candles, including Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Halloween designs. The candles were inexpensive and sold individually or in sets, with larger candles rarely exceeding $0.99 in price. Today, vintage Gurley candles are considered collectible items and are sought after by those who enjoy displaying them during the holidays.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Company | W&F Manufacturing Co., Inc. / Gurley Novelty Company |
| Founder | Franklin Gurley |
| Year founded | 1939 |
| Location | Buffalo, New York |
| Candle type | Figurine-shaped, novelty |
| Candle size | Small and large |
| Candle themes | Christmas, Halloween, Thanksgiving |
| Candle figures | Ghosts, pilgrims, Santa Claus, angels, choir boys and girls, snowmen, elves, deer, trees, lamp posts, etc. |
| Candle sets | Nativity scenes, A Night Before Christmas, carolers, etc. |
| Candle features | Wick, paper label, cardboard label |
| Price | $0.10 to $0.99 |
| Rarity | Gurley Glow Candles are the rarest |
| Collectible value | $5 to $45 per candle, $25 to $200 per candle set |
| Availability | Etsy, eBay, antique malls, estate sales, resale shops |
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What You'll Learn
Gurley Novelty Co
In 1949, Franklin Gurley bought the rights to the Tavern brand and changed the company name to Gurley Novelty Co. From then on, the company focused almost exclusively on manufacturing novelty candles. Most of these candles were small wax figures created for specific holiday themes, such as Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Halloween. Despite having wicks, these candles were not marketed for practical use but rather as decorative items for holiday displays.
The smaller candles were typically sold individually in shallow cardboard boxes, while sets and larger candles were packaged in sealed paper boxes. Beginning in the 1960s, larger candles and sets were often shrink-wrapped in cellophane. Most candles featured a round paper Gurley label attached to the bottom, which included the brand name, company name, burning instructions, and sometimes the original price and copyright date.
Tavern and Gurley candles were inexpensive, with smaller candles priced at $0.10 and larger ones at $0.49 or less. They were sold in dime stores and later in larger stores like Macy's. While their popularity declined in the 1970s, Gurley Novelty Co. candles have since become highly collectible items, especially the Halloween and Christmas candles. Today, vintage Gurley candles can sell for significantly more than their original price, with prices ranging from $5 to $45 per candle and up to $200 for sets.
In addition to standard candles, Gurley Novelty Co. also produced pillar candles called Lantern Glow Candles, which were more expensive and cast a lantern-like glow when lit. These candles are quite rare today due to their limited sales during the company's operation. The company ceased production and closed in 1994, but the Vermont Country Store purchased the molds and now reproduces some of the classic designs.
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Collectibles
Gurley Novelty, or simply Gurley, was a candle-making company that existed throughout the second half of the 20th century. The company was owned by Franklin Gurley, who also designed the candles. Gurley candles have become popular collectible items.
The first Gurley products were marketed under the name Tavern and consisted of wax lips and teeth, as well as small candle figures in holiday shapes like ghosts, pilgrims, and Santa Claus. These early candles were sold in dime stores, with larger stores like Macy's eventually stocking them as well.
Over time, the company's business became almost exclusively novelty candles. Most were manufactured for specific holiday themes, like Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Halloween. While they did have wicks, they were not marketed as practical candles. Instead, they were purchased as small wax figures for holiday displays.
Today, vintage Gurley candles are highly sought-after collectibles. They can be found on sites like Etsy and eBay, as well as in antique malls and estate sales. Prices for individual candles can range from $5 to $45, while sets can go for $25 to $200. The rarest of all Gurley candles are the Gurley Glow Candles, which were the company's most expensive product and were not big sellers at the time. As a result, they are quite difficult to find today.
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History
The history of Gurley candles dates back to the second half of the 20th century. The candle-making company, Gurley Novelty or simply Gurley, was founded in 1939 in Buffalo, New York, by Franklin Gurley. The company originated as part of Franklin Gurley's W&F Manufacturing Co. Inc., which produced candies and wax-coated chocolates in the shape of figurines.
The first Gurley candles were created in collaboration with the Socony-Vacuum Oil Company (now ExxonMobil), aiming to reuse excess paraffin, a byproduct of the oil refinery process. These initial products were marketed under the name "Tavern" and included wax lips and teeth, as well as small candle figures in holiday shapes like ghosts, pilgrims, and Santa Claus. In 1949, Franklin Gurley acquired the rights to the Tavern brand and renamed the company Gurley Novelty Co.
Throughout its existence, Gurley Novelty primarily focused on manufacturing small, figurine-shaped candles for various holidays, especially Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Halloween. The candles were designed by Franklin Gurley himself and were not marketed as practical candles for lighting. Instead, they were primarily purchased as decorative wax figures for holiday displays. The smaller candles were sold individually in shallow cardboard boxes, while sets and larger candles were packaged in sealed paper boxes.
The company's products were inexpensive, with smaller candles priced at $0.10 and larger ones at $0.49 or less. Gurley candles were initially sold in dime stores and later expanded to larger retailers like Macy's. Despite experiencing a decline in popularity in the 1970s, Gurley candles have since gained a new life as collectible items. They are now sought-after collectibles, particularly the Halloween and Christmas candles, with prices ranging from $5 to $45 per candle and up to $200 for sets, depending on various factors.
The Gurley Novelty Company ceased operations in 1994, but their legacy lives on through vintage candles that are still cherished and collected today. The Vermont Country Store purchased the original molds and reproduces some of the candles, allowing enthusiasts to continue enjoying these charming pieces of the past.
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Rarity
The Gurley Novelty Company, or simply Gurley, was a candle-making company that existed throughout the second half of the 20th century. The company was owned by Franklin Gurley, who also designed the candles. Gurley candles have become popular collectible items, especially Christmas candles. Their distinctiveness and rarity make them highly sought-after by collectors.
The rarity of Gurley candles can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, the company ceased operations in 1994, which naturally limited the production and availability of these candles. Secondly, certain varieties of Gurley candles were more expensive and less popular during their original release, resulting in lower production numbers and fewer surviving examples today. For example, the Gurley Glow Candles, also known as Lantern Glow Candles, were the company's most expensive product. As a result of their higher price point, they did not sell as well as other varieties and are now considered rare and difficult to find.
In addition to the Glow Candles, other factors can contribute to the rarity of specific Gurley candle designs. For instance, certain designs may have had limited production runs or were part of seasonal or themed collections. The company created a diverse range of candle figurines for various holidays, including Christmas, Halloween, and Thanksgiving. Some of the Christmas candle figurines included Santas, angels, choir boys and girls, snowmen, elves, deer, trees, and lamp posts. Halloween candle designs featured witches, ghosts, and jack-o'-lanterns. These seasonal and themed candles were often sold in sets, such as nativity scenes and A Night Before Christmas. The limited nature of these releases can make certain designs more difficult to find today.
The size of the candles also plays a role in their rarity. Smaller candles were typically sold individually in shallow cardboard boxes, while larger candles were sold in sealed paper boxes or shrink-wrapped in cellophane. The larger candles were produced in smaller quantities and were more expensive, making them less accessible to buyers. As a result, larger candles are generally rarer than their smaller counterparts.
The condition and packaging of Gurley candles also impact their rarity and value. Well-preserved candles in their original packaging, especially if it includes the intact paper label, are considered rarer and more desirable to collectors. The labels, typically attached to the bottom of the candles, included the brand name, company name, burning instructions, and sometimes the original price and copyright date. Candles with intact labels provide authenticity and help collectors identify genuine Gurley candles.
Today, vintage Gurley candles are highly collectible, and their rarity contributes to their rising popularity and value. Collectors often seek out these charming wax figurines for their unique designs, festive themes, and connection to the company's history. The rarity of specific designs, coupled with their condition and packaging, influences the price collectors are willing to pay. As a result, rare Gurley candles can command higher prices, reflecting their sought-after status in the collectible candle market.
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Reproduction
The Gurley Novelty Company, which created the original Gurley candles, closed in 1994. However, the Vermont Country Store purchased the rights to reproduce the candles and has begun doing so. The Vermont Country Store does not own the original moulds, which were scrapped when the company closed in 1994. The new moulds are made in China, using original candles as patterns.
The Gurley Novelty Company was founded in 1927 or 1939 in Buffalo, New York. The company was originally called W&F Manufacturing Company and was a confectionery company owned by Franklin Gurley. In 1939, the company was commissioned by the Socony-Vacuum Oil Company (now ExxonMobil) to create candles from excess paraffin produced during their oil refinery process. The first line of candles was sold under the name Tavern Novelty Candles. By the late 1940s, the company's business was almost exclusively novelty candles, and in 1949, the company was renamed Gurley Novelty Company.
The reproduction Gurley candles from the Vermont Country Store include a Halloween candle trio from the 1940s, featuring a witch, a ghost holding a pumpkin, and a jack-o'-lantern with a black cat. Each candle is made from vintage moulds from the 1940s and '50s and is detailed by hand.
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Frequently asked questions
Gurley candles are small, figurine-shaped candles that were popular during the second half of the 20th century. They were initially created as a way to reuse excess paraffin produced as a by-product of the oil refinery process. The candles were manufactured for specific holiday themes, including Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Halloween.
Gurley candles were made by the Gurley Novelty Company, owned by Franklin Gurley, who also designed the candles. The company started in Buffalo, New York, in 1939 as part of Franklin Gurley's W&F Manufacturing Co. Inc.
The Gurley Novelty Company stopped making candles and closed in 1994. However, vintage Gurley candles are now considered collectible items and can be found at antique malls, estate sales, and resale shops. They are also available on websites like Etsy and eBay. Additionally, the Vermont Country Store purchased the original molds and currently reproduces some of the candles.
