One of my favorite things to collect for Easter is one of my favorite things to collect for any holiday: Gurley candles. Gurley candles were manufactured in Buffalo, N.Y., mostly in the 1940s through the 1960s, and are easy to identify by the cardboard disc marked Gurley on the bottom. Christmas Gurleys are pretty easy to find, and Thanksgiving and Halloween candles turn up with some regularity, but Easter candles aren't as abundant. If we'd have been shoppers at Woolworth's, we could have picked up these sweet five-inch ducklings brand-new for 49 cents each.
Every once in a while, a candle has its date of manufacture stamped on the cardboard disc on the bottom. This little bunny is from 1950. He's a small Gurley - in the three-inch range. The smaller candles are generally easier to find.
Here's a bigger bunny whose colors are still nice and vivid. Most of my Gurleys come from yard sales and occasionally the thrift store. If they're dirty or faded, I usually don't buy them, although I'm not too choosy when I find an Easter candle. There's no way to un-fade a candle, and although I've read about different ways to clean them, it's pretty difficult to not damage them in the process.
If you're shopping for Gurleys, make sure they haven't been lit (most of them haven't), and that they haven't started to melt and lean. That's common with the taller, slimmer candles, especially Christmas trees. Don't leave them in a hot car if you have more shopping to do, and don't display them in the direct sun. They can melt pretty fast.
You can find these little panorama candles with different little shapes inside - bunnies and roosters and such.
Good thing I don't have to pick a favorite. I don't think I could.
You are a true connoisseur of retro American holiday decor- I honestly don't think I've ever seen a Gurley Easter candle.
Posted by: Beth Leintz | March 22, 2009 at 08:53 PM
Amazing the things I learn from you! Don't know if I'll retain this bit of information because what are the chances I'll run across a Gurley candle? You never know, though!
Posted by: Shelley G in Iowa | March 23, 2009 at 12:17 AM
Until I read your blog, I had never heard of a Gurley candle! Also have never run across one, but when I do, I'm sure going to snatch it up!
Also, my one and only swanky swig met an untimely death, I was getting out of the bath, and it jumped in... so something else to look for!
Thanks for the inspiration!
Posted by: Wendy | March 23, 2009 at 12:52 AM
Of course I don't know Gurley candles (apart from reading in your blog, yes I do pay attention) but I read out of the comments that they are rarely seen in your neck of the woods too. That makes them even more fun and I think here the more the merrier is better too, than less is more. When the manufacter disc and stamp is missing then they should be impossible to identify, right? Unless you have a collection like yourself. Is there already a priceguide of these? I am pushing you in the direction of writing one. Or any vintage catalogue, think of it!
Have a nice day!
Posted by: LiLi M. | March 23, 2009 at 03:55 AM
Seriously, Barbara, I agree with LiLiM, you should write a book. Homemaking through the Holidays? You could make it fun!
Posted by: Tina in Duluth | March 23, 2009 at 08:41 AM
What a great collection you have! I have a few of the Thanksgiving candles, and I have seen yours, but I didn't even know that there were Easter candles. You really do have the best collections.
♥, Susan
Posted by: black eyed susans kitchen | March 23, 2009 at 09:05 AM
I've never seen an Easter Gurley in my thrifting trips. You are lucky to have located yours! I just snagged a whole grouping of the Thanksgiving ones from a Goodwill store, but I doubt that will ever happen again! Love your blog!
Posted by: Linda B | March 23, 2009 at 09:56 AM
I never knew what my candles were until I started reading your blog! I only have the Thanksgiving ones, which I got at a garage sale, because my Mom wouldn't give me hers! I loved those as a child, and our daughter played with our set when she was little, and gave them all names! Those panorama ones are sooo sweet! I agree that you should write a book. On collecting vintage things. With a section on crafting with said vintage things. And a price guide. Seriously, you're a wonderful writer, a talented crafter, a knowledgable collector. DO think about it!!
Posted by: Carol | March 23, 2009 at 10:17 AM
What a fantabulous collection you have! :)
I have a couple Halloween and Thanksgiving Gurleys, but sadly my collection doesn't hold a candle to yours. (Pun entirely intended!)
These are so sweet. I get the BEST holiday decorating ideas from you.
Thanks for sharing!
Andrea
Posted by: Andrea | March 23, 2009 at 03:05 PM
I have never heard of Gurley candles--thanks for the demo! They look adorable all grouped together on that pink doily!
Posted by: Janelle | March 23, 2009 at 04:36 PM
Very well preserved! Now I found something new I love. Another something new. These are amazing.
Posted by: Nanette | March 23, 2009 at 06:34 PM
Good collection girlfriend! I have a few Easter (not a surprise huh?) I'll do a post and show you what I have. I really like the panoramic ones - hadn't seen that one before. I like the fact that I too, pick them up at estate sales or thrift stores pretty cheap. They are definitely harder to find than the other holidays.
Posted by: laurie - magpie ethel | March 23, 2009 at 10:43 PM
Gurley candles will always remind me of my childhood. Your collection is wonderful and I especially love the panorama eggs. I've never seen them before. I have 2 crisper drawers full of Gurleys in my spare fridge. Without a basement, that seems like the safest place to store them in our heat.
Posted by: Kim | March 24, 2009 at 12:36 PM
oh my gosh! I can see why you love the gurly candles! They are adorable!
Posted by: robin | March 24, 2009 at 03:48 PM
really sweet collection!
Posted by: susan | March 24, 2009 at 08:57 PM
Ooh, I love your collection of Easter Gurley candles! I found a bright pink duck a few weeks ago at the thrift store. In fact, there's a picture of him on my blog today. I hope I can find a few more so that he won't look so lonely!
Posted by: Vintage Whimsy | March 24, 2009 at 09:29 PM
I didn't know about these candles either until I read your blog. Those panorama eggs candles are so sweet.
Posted by: Jane | March 25, 2009 at 06:38 PM
How precious! I love them all! What a wonderful collection...brings back memories...GOOD memories!
Posted by: Lavender Dreamer | March 25, 2009 at 09:43 PM
i love your collection of gurley candles!
Posted by: susan | March 27, 2009 at 12:47 AM
I love your sweet candles..and tho I've never collected any, I think I remember the shop where I saw some. Maybe they will still be there. If so, they will be mine.
Have a lovely day..come visit.
Posted by: CC | March 29, 2009 at 05:36 PM