Popeye light bulb Edison ?

[enid coleslaw]

Hi,
Recently I came across an old original Popeye light bulb. I had never seen
anything like it before. It is a clear light bulb with a metal
representation of the cartoon character Popeye as the filament. Popeye glows
a redish orange when on. It still lights up! I would guess very old, but
have no idea to vintage or value. This item is far outside my area of
knowledge and I have just begun to research it so would be happy for any
information or where at least to look for additional information.
Thank you,
James Johnson

[Alan Franzman]

Congratulations on this rare find!

That is one of the more sought-after neon glow bulbs.  Depending on condition and collector interest, it may sell for $150 to $300 or more.  There were also at least two versions of a lamp shaped like a boat associated with this bulb as well.

See Tim's reply to the nearby thread entitled "Glow light" for where to find more info and pictures of other styles.  Neon glow bulbs seem to have become popular in the 1930's, and have been manufactured in fair quantities ever since, making it difficult or impossible in some cases to nail down an exact year of manufacture.  I believe, however, that Popeye was only made for a brief period in the late 1930's.

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Alan "A.J." Franzman

Email: a.j.franzman at verizon dot net

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[This message has been edited by Alan Franzman (edited August 04, 2003).]

[Tim]

Welcome to the forum Enid and that's a very nice find!  These bulbs have become very collectible and bulbs with cartoon characters inside of them are some of the most sought after.  The Aerolux Lite Co. made the vast majority of these bulbs, including your Popeye.

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Tim
Kilokat's Antique Light Bulb Site
Mountain Dew Collectibles, Volume I