Flashlight Museum page three

Art Deco Purse Lights

Allbright 2 "AA" cell lights made about 1936

It did not take long for the flashlight companies to discover that the flashlight was more than a toolbox item. Starting about 1925 the country was introduced to the the Art Deco style. Everything that was mechanical was now being decorated in an Art Deco style. Chief among the flashlights were the lights made to go in a lady's purse or gentleman's pocket. Many have held up in surprisingly good condition due to their limited use.

Allbright 2 "AA" size lights. Allbright made a few larger lights, but they seemed to specialize in the small or unusual.

The light on the left is a 2 "AAA" cell anodized aluminum model made in France. The light on the right is unmarked but is probably made in the United States. Both were probably made during the 1930s.

A great group of 1940 USALite pocket flashlights in plastic. They use 2 "AA" cells.

1937 Eveready Pocket Spot-Lite, model #215, was a superbly designed pocket light.
It used 2 "AA" cells. These are the only two colors made.

The Gem-Lite was made about 1933 through 1935 and used 2 "AA" cells. Considering that these are 65 plus years old, they have remained in fairly nice condition. Note that the bottom lip varies in shape. Gem-Lite most likely made these for other companies and changed them slightly to differentiate them from their own designs.

Gem-Lites originally came with a solid glass bulb.

Burgess made these Snaplites begining about 1930. Note that the bulb is mounted differently than Gem-Lites. Snap lights were introduced about 1928. The first model has a standard design. In 1929 they added the model 2 that offered a few variations in finish. Some resembled leather and could be imprinted with a company's name. About 1930 they started making these Art Deco designs. The dog on the right resembles "Asta", the detective's dog in the "Thin Man" series of movies starring William Powell.

This is the Chase Airalite made in 1932. It used 2 "AA" cells. Note the nice black enameling highlights on the nickle body. It originally cost one dollar and was advertised as being like jewelry. Chase was a large brass company, specializing in brass sheet and pipe. The owner's son wanted to enter the consumer goods business so he created the "Specialties" line (1930-1942). This dates their lights to this 12 year period. There are many varieties of Chase lights, but I think that this is the best looking one.

Don't you wonder why manufacturers aren't making more decorative lights for use as jewelry or personal accessories? Most look at lights as a way to sell batteries and consider their business as the battery business.

Flashlight History, page 1

Sterling Silver Lights, page 2

Tin Lithographed Flashlights, page 4

Flippo Cartoon and Personality Lights, page 5

Interesting Flashlights, page 6

Flashlight Convention 2002, page 7

Flashlight Convention 2006, page 7a

Recent Acquisitions, page 8

Flashlights For Sale, page 9

Flashlights For Sale, page 10

Flashlights For Sale, page 11

Flashlights For Sale, page 12