RARE Gurley 4-3/8" Easter Purple Duck With Pink Eggshell on Head Candle

Please see my other items for more Gurley Candles.

CONDITION: This candle is in Excellent condition. It has a 59c Gurley label on the bottom and the wick is unlit. Only minor wear to the orange color and a small gash on the back edge of the eggshell. Otherwise beautiful condition! 1971 is written in pen on the label.

History on Gurley/Tavern Candles:

W&F Manufacturing Company, owned by Franklin Gurley, began a partnership with Socony-Vacuum Oil Company (now ExxonMobile) in 1939 to produce novelty candles. The partnership allowed Socony-Vacuum to make use of excess paraffin, that up until then was a discarded product from oil refining. It also allowed Gurley to have a cheap supply of material to make into candles, and a larger market distribution. The candles were sold in many places including Woolworth's & Macy's, as well as dime stores and gas stations across America. They were marketed under the name "Tavern Novelty Company". Tavern was bought out and the name was changed to Gurley Novelty in 1949. Most of the candles were never burned and used as decorations instead. A few of the candles were even manufactured without wicks at all, ie: The Tavern Novelty Nativity Candle Set.

Item ID: 1744