References
and
Links

Although this is a completely advertisement and commercial-free web site, I get many requests for sources for various repair parts and books on antique Christmas lighting and decorations. Along with my research using period magazines and newspapers and interviews with those in the industry and other collectors, I have found many of these web sites and books to be quite helpful. Some of these sites are commercial in that they sell repair parts and/or Christmas collecting books. No money is received by the web master for listing these sites here.

Related Links

The History of the Christmas Figural Light Bulb:  Christmas light researchers and hobbyists
 Bob Iwamasa and Patrick Fay have  teamed up and are now offering this new book. The
 book is a companion to Bob's earlier book, "Antique Christmas Figural Light  Bulbs."
 The work, the majority of which is previously unpublished information, will be invaluable
 to the collector, hobbyist and historian. Lavishly illustrated and exhaustively researched, it
 presents a complete and highly detailed history of the Christmas figural lighting industry from birth
 through the early 1960s. It may be ordered by visiting www.lulu.com and using the keyword search: 
 Iwamasa. It is available in paperback for $39.43 and hardcover for $51.91.

                             

Christmas Books by Bob Brenner: Bob Brenner has written several marvelous books on the history of Christmas.  His books are "must haves" for the serious Christmas collector or Christmas lights enthusiast.

BulbCollector.com: A fascinating website administered by Tim Tromp, this site presents a marvelously detailed history of the light bulb. Illustrated with many photographs, the site is a wealth of information for the collector or historian. There's a section on Christmas lights, too.

Lion's Den Antiques: A super source for replacement lamps for vintage lighting strings. Paul Schofield also has reproduction Matchless Stars, bubbling lights and all sorts of other things of interest to the vintage Christmas light collector.

The Yulelights Collection: Collector Joseph Pilliteri has created a web site devoted to the post World War II era of Christmas lighting. His site showcases many of the lighting sets offered during the 1950s and beyond.

Papa Ted's Place

Papa Ted's Place: While not truly Christmas light related, this is an extensive web site devoted to those wonderful little cardboard houses that our grandparents so proudly placed on or under the Christmas tree. Marvelously detailed and researched, the site is a true treasure.

The Collector's Weekly Web Site

            This marvelous web site is a wonderful free resource for collectors of just about everything. It is a gateway to web sites similar to this one, posted by collectors passionate about sharing their knowledge with the world. A very well done site, loaded with information and help for the collector of all things antique! The Collector's Weekly Web Site

Selected References

Barnett, James Harwood. The American Christmas: A Study in National Culture. New York: Macmillan, 1954; 1976.

Brenner, Robert. Christmas Past: A Collectors' Guide to its History and Decorations. West Chester, PA: Schiffer Publishing Ltd., 1985.

_____. Christmas Revisited. West Chester, PA: Schiffer Publishing Ltd., 1986.

_____. Christmas Through the Decades. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing Ltd., 1993.

Buday, Gyorgy. The History of the Christmas Card. London: Spring Books, 1964.

Foley, Daniel. The Christmas Tree. Philadelphia: Chilton Co., 1960.

Goldby, J.M., and A. W. Purdue. The Making of Modern Christmas. Athens, GA: The University of Georgia Press, 1986.

Gray, Nada. Holidays: Victorian Women Celebrate in Pennsylvania. University Park, PA: Pennsylvania State University Press, 1983.

Iwamasa, Robert and Fay, Patrick. The History of the Christmas Figural Light Bulb. A Companion Guide to Antique
Christmas Figural Light Bulbs. Midland, Michigan. RTI Publishing Company, 2006. Keyword search Iwamasa at www.lulu.com 

______. Antique Figural Christmas Light Bulbs. Midland, Michigan RTI Publishing Company. 1996

Johnson, George. Christmas Ornaments, Lights and Decorations. A Collector's Identification and Value Guide. Paducah, KY: Collector Books, 1987.

Kainan, Ruth C. America's Christmas Heritage. New York: Funk and Wagnall's, 1969.

Merck, Robert M. Deck the Halls. New York: Abbeville Press, 1992.

Nissenbaum, Stephen. The Battle for Christmas. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1996.

O'Neil, Sunny. The Gift of Christmas Past: A Return to Victorian Traditions. Nashville, TN: American Association for State and Local History, 1981.

Restad, Penne L. Christmas in America: A History. New York: Oxford University Press, 1995.

Rogers, Maggie, and Judith Hawkins. The Glass Christmas Ornament: Old and New. A Collector's Compendium and Price Guide. Forest Grove, OR: Timber Press, 1977.

Rogers, Maggie, and Peter Hallinan. The Santa Claus Picture Book. New York: E.P. Dutton, 1984.

Schiffer, Margaret. Christmas Ornaments: A Festive Study. Exton, PA: Schiffer Publishing Ltd., 1984.

_____. Holidays: Toys and Decorations. West Chester, PA: Schiffer Publishing Ltd., 1985.

Snyder, Phillip V. December 25th: The Joys of Christmas Past. New York: Dodd, Mead and Company, 1985.

_____. The Christmas Tree Book: The History of the Christmas Tree and Antique Christmas Tree Ornaments. New York: Viking Press, 1976.

The Time-Life Book of Christmas. Alexandria, VA: Time-Life Books, 1987.

Waits, William B. The Modern Christmas in America: A Cultural History of Gift Giving. New York: New York University Press, 1993.

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