When did Shiny Brite stop making ornaments?

When did Shiny Brite stop making ornaments?

They remained affordable for families and flourished until plastic ornaments came on the scene in the late 1950s. For reasons I guess had to do with durability and cost, plastic was preferred over glass, and the Shiny Brite company closed their doors in 1962.

How much are Shiny Brite ornaments worth?

Value: $12. For instance, an entire box of stenciled Shiny Brite ornaments dating to the 1940s through the '60s in excellent condition might sell for $50 to $60. If you shop around to find them one at a time, you'll likely pay in the $5 to $10 range, or a bit more for rare or extra special examples.

What years were Shiny Brite ornaments made?

The Shiny Brite company produced the most popular Christmas tree ornaments in the United States throughout the 1940s and 1950s. In 1937, Max Eckardt established Shiny Brite ornaments, working with the Corning Glass company to mass-produce glass Christmas ornaments.

How do I identify my Christmas ornaments?

“I can tell a vintage ornament by its patina and how it feels,” says Stark. “Modern ornaments are also often made of a composition material or even hard plastic which tries to mimic the older mercury glass,” says Martin. “You can tell by tapping on it if it is glass or not.”

Did Shiny Brite make plastic ornaments?

Following the war, Shiny Brite became the largest ornament company in the world. They were popular throughout the 1940's and 1950's with their heyday occurring in the late 1950's. They stopped selling as well in the 1960's (it is said the company started making plastic ornaments), and weren't made at all by the 1970's.

Were Shiny Brite ornaments made in Poland?

Shiny Brite ornaments were created by American businessman Max Eckardt in 1937. Before World War II, almost all of the glass ornaments on American Christmas trees were imported from Germany.

What is the most expensive Christmas ornament?

The most valuable ornament is an emu egg set in 24-carat gold (that's the purest gold available) and covered in diamond dust. That decoration alone is worth £8.9 million. It's not the first time Christmas has come with a weighty price tag - here are five other expensive festive decorations.

How can you tell if an ornament is vintage?

One of the most important indicators that an ornament is vintage is patina, or the wear that comes with age. Antique and vintage Christmas ornaments will show some wear, even if they are in excellent condition. You'll see the mercury glass flaking off a bit or the metal taking on a dull appearance from tarnish.

When did Christopher Radko buy Shiny Brite?

2001 Radko bought the Shiny-Brite name in the late '90s and started selling replicas of the old Shiny-Brite glass ornaments in 2001. Even the Shiny-Brite boxes are the same.

What Christmas ornaments are valuable?

11 Vintage Christmas Decorations That Might Be Worth Some Cash

• Putz Houses. eBay. Putz houses were popular starting in 18th-century Europe. ...
• Jingle Bells. eBay. Jingle bells are tiny bells that were made for crafts or gift decorations. ...
• Mica snow. eBay. ...
• Ornament Hangers. eBay. ...
• Santa Claus Figurines. eBay. ...
• Shiny Brites. eBay.

Which is the best Shiny Brite ornament to buy?

Transparent bulbs with cardboard caps are considered the Holy Grail for vintage Shiny Brite ornament collectors. All un-silvered ornaments aren’t necessarily war-time. The company continued to produce them well into the 1950s. So look for that paper cap to be sure of the age.

What was the history of the Shiny Brite?

Interestingly, the history of the Shiny Brite ornament was directly impacted by wartime America. Early pre war ornaments often had large sections of opaque silver and metallic color.

What kind of caps did shiny Brites have?

Early Shiny Brites had metal caps withe the stamp “Made in U.S. of A.”. Metal caps and rings were standard with early Shiny Brites, but during the war, these caps were replaced with a cardboard cap or hanger. Transparent bulbs with cardboard caps are considered the Holy Grail for vintage Shiny Brite ornament collectors.

What kind of string does a Shiny Brite use?

The hooks are also a good indicator of age. Early Shiny Brites had metal hooks and tops. During the war, these hooks were replaced with cardboard tabs from which the owner would use string to hang the ornament.