There was a time when a dime could bring home a little piece of holiday magic. A small turkey candle placed beside a serving dish or tucked among autumn leaves transformed an ordinary table into one prepared for Thanksgiving.
These two Gurley turkeys belong to that wonderfully nostalgic tradition. Their hand-finished colors, deeply modeled feathers, and wonderfully stout silhouettes reflect an era when seasonal decorating often began at the neighborhood five-and-dime.
From Refinery By-Product to Holiday Tradition
The Gurley story has an unexpected beginning. Franklin Gurley’s W & F Manufacturing Company was approached in 1939 to create decorative candles using excess paraffin produced during oil refining. Early pieces appeared under the Tavern name; Franklin Gurley later acquired the line and established the Gurley Novelty Company in Buffalo, New York.
Gurley became known for affordable figural candles celebrating Christmas, Halloween, Easter, and Thanksgiving. Turkeys, pilgrims, ghosts, angels, and Santas found their way into American homes, where many were displayed year after year instead of being burned. The Buffalo History Museum preserves examples as part of the city’s manufacturing story.
Collector Appeal
Part of the charm lies in the contradiction: these were inexpensive decorations never intended to become precious. Their original labels still advertise a price of just ten cents and instruct the owner to place the candle on a plate while burning.
Today, collectors especially appreciate recognizable forms, surviving paper labels, original wicks, strong coloring, and groups that can be arranged into a seasonal scene. Wear is not unusual because the wax is soft and generations of handling leave their mark.
Styling Inspiration
These turkeys need very little staging. Let them stand together beneath a glass cloche, place them among miniature pumpkins, or add them to an open shelf with old cookbooks and transferware.
They are more than Thanksgiving decorations. They are small reminders of dime-store errands, family tables, and the everyday objects that quietly become part of a family’s holiday memory.
