Light in the Dark

I believe the guy who owned these passed away in a car accident at only 43. They look like they were auctioned off at Jones Bold Mold auction 2 weekends ago. He had quite a collection!

Big J?! I don't like that news. Hope you are ok.

Yes, but not that exact one. The person who owns that one wouldn't sell it to me, but contacted me a year later when she saw one listed on Mercari! So thoughtful... it is my grail piece. Just wish the condition was better, but am grateful just to have one at all.

Old Noel lantern municipal. It is double sided so the right face of the front side and the left side of the back piece were pretty messed up. Old, brittle plastic from the 60s.

Thanks guys. I will keep thinking about it. I ended up using some plastic milk carton to replace missing pieces for now. I couldn't bring myself to sacrifice one yet! Good ideas on the tools compared to the thickness and loss potential. Thanks for the tips.

Yes that was the link I was thinking of, too. At least I know I'm not crazy searching for that one. I think the hard rubber was an earlier version and plastisol came in the late 1950s. Check on some of those old threads with Mel and others. He has lots of pics showing the different materials and history. I think Carrie Sansing also did some mold craft/heller restorations so search for her in the threads, too.

Dang, of course I can't find that blog either. There is another example at https://ellefagan.com/winter-holiday-blog/2015/12/8/restoration-of-antique-nativity-figures Remember the Mold-Craft and Heller figures weren't made with regular blow mold plastic. They were made with hard rubber (the earlier ones) or plastisol. I'm thinking you'll be more likely to use epoxy and filler to repair this, but I'm no expert. I have a couple of the Heller Choir Boys and I can tell you they are thick plastisol and brittle. I don't think I would take heat near them. Consider searching through old disc

I patched a hole in one using multiple, thin layers of epoxy and then painting it. The hole was small, about the size of a quarter. Came out perfectly! I never had one with all the cracks in it though. I saw one blog on repairing a heller mold craft when googling it a couple years ago. It didn't look great to me though. I think that blog is still up.

Agreed with above. Sad to see the decreased traffic, but it is what it is. I've learned so much from the old posts and the wonderful people on here. Thank you for that. Archiving would be helpful if you decide to end it... I am not on Facebook either.

I bought it because I always loved the original lamp and didn't want to see the history scrapped. I figured I would hold it and see what the future might bring. I also enjoy industrial history so I wanted to display it. I didn't have the opp for the post and yes it is the same piece for the animated santa.

There are also 12 that have been up on ebay for some time from a scrapper. I purchased one, the Noel Poloron Lamp as seen below, from them in July 2019. They accepted a lower offer and did arrange liftgate shipping to me.

Great idea. I don't know of other companies but I'm in for your crowdsource idea.

Very cool. I'm buying an extra lot behind me that fronts a different road... Might have to double up the display. Great idea!

I have two of the same old blow molds. Both need major repair. On one, its left side has a large piece missing. On the other, a large side of the right is missing. I am thinking about sacrificing one to make the other nicer. It would involve cutting about a 10 inch piece off the one and then soldering it onto the other. I know about the soldering... has anyone ever cut a blow mold like this? What tool do you recommend? Thanks.

Oh my. They are seriously awesome. Look to be on great shape. Do you put them out? What is the backstory on them?