| Specifically designed and manufactured by famous | | | | Ebay. |
| candle maker Franklin Gurley, the novelty candles | | | | Almost all vintage Gurley candles that you will on |
| first entered the market in the 1930s. Originally, | | | | the market today have unlit wicks. While they |
| the candles were commissioned by the | | | | were marketed as candles, the little figural candles |
| Socony-Vacuum Oil Company (now ExxonMobile) | | | | were never really meant to be burned. People |
| simply so that they could make use of the | | | | collected them for display. There are actually |
| excess paraffin that was produced during the oil | | | | some wax figures under the Tavern brand that |
| refinery process. Made by confectioner Franklin | | | | don't even have a wick, such as a Nativity set |
| Gurley at his company W&F Manufacturing, | | | | that was designed by Gurley. |
| they were originally marketed under the name | | | | For Thanksgiving, some of the popular vintage |
| Tavern Novelty Candles. Over time, Gurley's | | | | Gurley candles that are collected are the Pilgrim |
| business went from paraffin confections such as | | | | men and women, an Indian boy and maiden, |
| wax lips and teeth to almost exclusively candle | | | | various Turkey-shaped candles, and the |
| production. Tavern was bought out and the name | | | | Mayflower. There's an even bigger variety of |
| was changed to Gurley Novelty in 1949. | | | | vintage Christmas candles from Gurley which |
| The Tavern and Gurley wax figures and candles | | | | include Santas, snowmen, Christmas trees, choir |
| were most commonly sold at discount stores | | | | boys, angels and more. |
| such as Woolworths, but they could also be found | | | | If you are a collector only interested in the original |
| at department stores like Macy's. Gurley made | | | | Gurley and Tavern candles, then one thing it will |
| candles for all of the major holidays, but the ones | | | | be important for you to keep in mind is that the |
| most sought after today by collectors are | | | | Vermont Country Store has purchased many of |
| generally the Christmas and Halloween candles. | | | | the Gurley candle molds and is manufacturing |
| Vintage Thanksgiving and Easter candles are quite | | | | candles today that look exactly like the original |
| popular as well though, so you can expect prices | | | | candles. If you want to ensure that you are |
| for all of the candles to remain rather more | | | | buying the vintage collectibles and not |
| expensive than the candles cost at the time of | | | | reproductions, it will be important to search for |
| manufacturer. | | | | candles that still have the original Gurley label so |
| Individual candles sold for between 10 and 99 | | | | you know that you are getting a vintage item and |
| cents and sets sold for a bit more. Nowadays, | | | | not a brand new one. If you find some candles |
| you can expect to spend at least $10, with many | | | | that have lost their labels, one way to tell the |
| candles selling for quite a bit more. Frequently | | | | difference is that the newer candles will be very |
| however, you'll find that you'll be able to pick up a | | | | brightly color compared to their vintage |
| full set at a single auction if you are shopping on | | | | counterparts. |