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.
How do you date a Shiny Brite ornament?
Dating of the ornaments is often
facilitated by studying the hook
. The first Shiny Brite ornaments had the traditional metal cap and loop, with the hook attached to the loop, from which the ornament was hung from the tree.
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.
What year were Shiny Brite ornaments made?
First made in Germany in
the late 1930s
, Shiny Brites were created by ornament maker Max Eckardt, who had the idea to coat glass ornaments with silver nitrate to make them stay shiny longer than any other ornaments on the market.
How can you tell if a Christmas 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.
Is Shiny Brite ornaments still in business?
Once the ornaments were produced, they were shipped to Eckardt’s factories in the US where they were painted by hand. But in the 60s, with the need for cheap, unbreakable ornaments, Shiny Brites began to decline in popularity and soon after,
the Shiny Brite company closed its doors
.
Did Christopher Radko buy Shiny Brite?
The 20-something Radko quit his job in a talent-agency mailroom and went to work designing ornaments; over the past 19 years, he has made a name for himself in holiday ornaments and decor.
Radko bought the Shiny-Brite name in the late ’90s
and started selling replicas of the old Shiny-Brite glass ornaments in 2001.
Are Christopher Radko ornaments worth anything?
For one thing, your grandma probably couldn’t afford it: Over the years, Radko
ornaments sold for an average of $50 each
, but the rare ones now go for much more. His collectors are a passionate bunch, trading and buying and selling and competing to hang the most ornaments on one tree.
What Christmas ornaments are valuable?
- 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.
How much is the most expensive ornament?
- Most Expensive Christmas bauble – $136,000.
- Diamond-Studded Christmas Star – $950,000.
- Gold Santa Figurine – $1.6 million.
- Preserved Roses Mini Christmas Tree – $1.8 million.
- Solid Gold Christmas Tree – $1.95 million.
- Diamond Christmas Wreath – $4.6 million.
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
.
Who is Kurt Adler ornaments?
Kurt S. Adler, who helped change the look of Christmas décor as a
major importer of handcrafted ornaments
and convincing artificial trees, died on Nov. 25 at his home in Manhattan. He was 83.
What is the oldest Christmas ornament?
The first decorated trees were adorned with apples, white candy canes and pastries in the shapes of stars, hearts and flowers.
Glass baubles
were first made in Lauscha, Germany, by Hans Greiner (1550–1609), who produced garlands of glass beads and tin figures that could be hung on trees.
Are Kugel ornaments marked?
Identifying New Kugels
New kugels arrived from the wholesalers with a removable paper or cardboard label marked “
Made in India
.” The major difference between new and old is the glass around the hole in the top of the ornament.
Are old Christmas lights worth anything?
Most are
priced at $10 to $15 each
. Christmas lights were introduced in the 1920s but weren’t widespread decorations until the ’50s, as technology advanced. Snag sets for around $30 on eBay or at flea markets, but be cautious when connecting the vintage cords to outlets.
