Name/Title
Santa Lights. Distributed by Universal Folding Box Co., Hoboken. N.d., ca. 1949-1953.Entry/Object ID
2013.005.0166Description
Santa Lights. Distributed by Universal Folding Box Co., Inc., Hoboken, N.J. No date, circa 1949-1953.
Printed box with die-cut top, overall: 5-1/2" deep x 10-1/2" wide x 1-1/2" high; contents: 7 light string of lamps (candelabra base), fresh and unused, plus 4 other bulbs of the same type showing some usage; printed round Underwriters Laboratory tag threaded on wire (by factory) near female plug end.
The bottom has text: Santa Lights, a Registered Trademark of Universal Folding Box Co., Inc., Hoboken, N.J.
Top panel text: Santa Lights. Each Lamp Burns Independently. For a Bright and Festive Holiday. For Indoor Use Only.
Top is die-cut and designed for box to be displayed open, showing the contents for retail store or window display.
Universal was apparently the box maker and distributor of this Christmas holiday decoration product. The Underwriters Laboratory (UL) tag on the light string for " Xmas Tree Light Outfits " indicates the lighting string itself was made by Idalite, Catalogue No. 1000.
The light string itself was innovative for the "Pin-tap Lamp Socket". The molded case of the female plug has "Gilbert", "Patent Pending". This would indicate the date range for the manufacture and likely distribution of the product. A patent was applied for by Charles E. Gilbert on Jan. 4, 1949 with U.S. Patent 2,636,069 issued to him (by then deceased) on April 21, 1953. PDF of this patent is on file.Acquisition
Accession
2013.005Source or Donor
Lukacs, ClaireAcquisition Method
GiftCredit Line
Museum Collections. Gift of a Friend of the Museum.Made/Created
Date made
1949 - 1953Notes
Date: 1949-1953General Notes
Note
Notes: Source of PDF for U.S. patent 2,636,069:
http://yulelights.com/pageb/pin_tap_lamp_socket.pdf
Status: 07/10/2013
Status By: dw
Status Date: 2013-07-10
