When I was at a craft show this weekend, I unexpectedly ran across a crafter that had a few vintage items sitting out. I wasn't expecting ANYONE to have vintage items. At all. I was just attending the craft show to support the local community and to get out of the house on a dreary Saturday morning.
Just the other day, Erica at The Adventures Of Two (Pyrex Crazy) Thrifting Sisters posted about finding vintage Gurley candles at an estate sale, so it was like a light shining down from heaven when I saw this guy sitting on the table.
Surrounded by his buddies.
Gurley was a candle manufacturer that made highly collectible figural holiday candles from the very late 1930's through the 1970's.
I picked up one of the candles and saw that it had a paper label on the bottom that said Tavern something or other on it. I was only mildly disappointed that it did not say Gurley, because I still loved the vintage looking little guy. Little did I know at that point that Gurley produced the Tavern brand candles. Hello, Tavern = Gurley!!!
In the most casual tone I could muster while my brain was doing cartwheels in my head, I asked him how much the candles were. I thought I only would buy the turkey, since it's close to Thanksgiving and I need another turkey like I need a hole in my head.
Mr. Crafter started shuffling around and him-hawing and I thought "Oh, crud, this isn't going to turn out well!" He finally said he'd really like to sell them all together, so if I would take all the ones on the table and the ones he had in the box over there I could have them for $8.00. Box, what box? OMG, there's a box!
Uh sure, that sounds reasonable to me. So I quickly handed him $8.00 and ran out of the craft show.
It was only after I got home, that I actually looked at all the candles. There are 7 that say Gurley (Mr. Turkey happens to be a Gurley), 6 that say Tavern and three that don't have any tags on them, but look very Gurley/Tavern-esque. BTW, the box is not the candle box, but an old peanut box, so I sort of got overly excited about nothing there.
But still, a much more fun day at the craft show than I expected.
NanaDiana
I am so jealous I don't even want to leave you a comment. Oh..OKAY~~~~!!!! WHAT a great find and I am GLAD you got them. However, if it was anyone except you we wouldn't be speaking!;>) xo Diana
Vickie @ Ranger 911
I pass these candles up all the time at estate sales, but now that I see yours all together, I'll have to inspect them a little closer. Congrats on a fun, unexpected find!
Carlene @ Organized Clutter
My Grandma had Christmas Gurley candles. I remember them well. Fun find!
Donna Wilkes
You basically stole these wonderful little candles! I used to collect them, but when the number hit 100, I sold them. My favorites are the choirboys and the snowmen. Happy Collecting!
ThrifterSisters
Sounds to me like you have been bitten by the Gurley bug! I can't believe the amazing price you got for all of those! I have a lot of Christmas but no snowmen or glittery trees. I'm jealous:-)
Erica
Ann@A Sentimental Life
I would of thrown the money at him and run!! Good job! I love them and pick them up when I see them. Because, Grandma had them, I still have her pilgrims and turkeys!
Olive
You are now the vintage candle expert. They look brand new. What an unexpected and delightful find.
20 North Ora
I've seen those candles and my Mom had lots of them but I never knew what they were and that they were all made by that company.
Thanks for the informative post.
Judy
Debby
What a find. You are a lucky one.
Tightwad
What luck! I love Gurley/Tavern candles and have collected, a little at a time, for years. I have found that many times those little paper tags have fallen off. I only have a couple of boxes which I also like to display. Have fun with them!
missielizzie
I've not heard of them before either, but well done you!
susie @ persimmon moon cottage
Lovin' your Gurley candles. Are they tagged on the bottom as Gurley/Tavern? I have a little deer candle that I am thinking it might be Gurley. Have had it since I was a little girl. We never burned candles at our house when I was a kid, except on birthday cakes; so it was never used as a candle, besides it was just too cute to burn. I remember playing with it. I see that everyone else must have thought that their Gurley candles were too cute to burn. Amazing how painted/dyed wax candles have kept their colors for so many decades!
Kim K.
I'm having Gurley envy. Seriously amazing deal on ALL those candles. My pilgrims need a turkey or two. Good for you, dear Pam!
Astrid
Awesome find on the vintage Gurley candles!! That would of made my day as well. Love the turkey and snowman ones!
Jill
I had been reading about the Gurley candles too and never really know what they were - thanks for all the extra info - I'll be on the lookout....
Sherry@Back2Vintage
You were one lucky lady!!! Thanks for all the info about Gurley/Tavern candles! I haven't heard of them and I always love to learn more about vintage things. Only thing...now I have something else to look for!!! Thanks, I think!!!