LOTUS FIREWORKS CO. & MUSEUM
I-81 HERSHEY-GRANTVILLE
EXIT 80
543 STATION ROAD
GRANTVILLE, PA 17028
info@lotusfireworks.com
717-469-2571
EVERYONE IS ENCOURAGED TO READ THE TERMS OF SALE PAGE BEFORE MAKING ANY PURCHASES.
"Be
the first in your neighborhood to sport one of Lotus's unique T's,
which was designed by one of our very own staff members - Camille Hurt;
Graphic Designer Extraordinaire!"
SHOW YOUR LOVE FOR FIREWORKS WITH THESE GREAT LOTUS FIREWORKS CO. TEES!
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| | Fireworks Museum | | Come in and see our newly re-designed Fireworks Museum! It is filled with fun facts and interesting samples of old fireworks! |  |  |
The
story of fireworks is a chapter in man's romantic celebration of his
patriotism and social joy in his part in the saga of history. From the
invention, or the re-discovery, of gunpowder to modern times, man has
used illuminations and fireworks to express patriotic fever, to mark
historical milestones, and simply to have the social and public
enjoyment of the spectacular extravaganza which fireworks displays
provide.
The
following exhibit of fireworks from the past 150 years is a fascinating
summary of the inspirational and practical-technical aspects of
fireworks in our American culture and prudent and responsible aspects
are provided to encourage and ensure the perpetuation and social
acceptance of one man's more delightful and exciting "art forms".
Emerson JacobPh. D. in History
Wanted -- Old Fireworks and Related Items!
Top Prices paid for spent and unspent consumer "legal type" fireworks before 1960
We
wish to thank the people and collectors who donated or gave permission
to use their photos of many
of the following antique fireworks displayed in our online museum
exhibit. We cannot except any type of illegal item for considerations.
If you wish to learn more about fireworks and their history, feel free
to send us your inquiries to:
Lotus Fireworks Museum Inc.
543 Station Rd.
Grantville, PA 17028
(717)469-2571
  
Pictured above: A selection of Chinese cracker labels circa 1930-40’s
 '
Pictured above: One of Tipp’s Trucks loading in front of warehouse. (Circa 1924)
Pictured above: 1924 Scene at Tipp Fireworks Co. in Tippecanoe City, Ohio
Pictured above: N.Y. City Pains Fireworks Advertisement (Circa 1900)
Pictured above: Old Gunpowder Tin-Type from 1880’s. Advertisement states “1 pound of loose black powder 90 cents”. These were made to be displayed in General Stores across America.
Pictured above: Box of 1 ˝” crackers; (Rocket Brand) 1930’s Taiwan. Rare to the collector! 
Pictured above: Complete pack of 1 ˝” crackers “Space Age Brand” ca. 1950’s. Macau. Scarce to the collector. 
Pictured above: Unexcelled “Rocket Ship Brand” 1 ˝”, 16 in a pack, 1930’s. Very Rare – Notice heavy waterproof wrapping. 
Pictured above: “Thunda Flash” Brand. Very rare – 30’s to 40’s. Pack of 16/ 1 ˝” crackers. Excellent condition!
Pictured above: Very Rare Novelty Aerial Fireworks from Triumph Co. Early 20’s. Over 6” in length. Very cool item!
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Above: "Wind-up toy that shoots out sparks" Circa: Late 1930s
Above: Two early 20th century Fireworks catalogs 1908 Maston & Wells, Boston & International Fireworks Co. 1927. Jersey City, NJ. Rare!
Above: Chang Brand – 100 count
1 1/2 “ crackers rare to the collector
– circa 1940’s
Above: Mikado Torpedoes – MFG
in Japan – circa 1920’s;
very rare to the collector
Devil Brand – “cannon
crackers”, 3” 10-pack – 1930’s to 40’s
Above: Bottle rockets in missle format, late 50s
Above: Jumbo special pack, 1-11/16" crackers
rare, late 30s - early 40s
Above: Parcel of fountains from the Canadian Market,
circo 1890s
Above: Fountain & 1-5/8" cracker pack from the Canadian market,
circa 1950s
Above: Rare brick label from the 50s, 1-1/2" crackers
 
Above: Buck Roger's salutes, rare from the 1930s
(Only 2 known in existence)
1936 – Buster Crabbe and Constance Moore
starring
Above: Pack of 1-1/2" 16's from the 50s
2" 20s pack from the 40s "Canada"
Above: Pack of 1-1/2" crackers from the 40s
Above: Pack of 16s 1-1/2" crackers from the 40s
Above: Unauthorized Japaense product from the late 40s
(Walt would be rolling in the grave if he knew about this one!)
Shown Above: Hirayama Day Shell, 6"
Japanese
Imperial Fireworks (US Pat. August 7th, 1883). As you can see the
pacific rim countries were largely responsible for developing and
perfecting round display shells. Europeans used primarily canned-type
shells which do not provide a spherical burst pattern.
**
Close-up of Packaging:
Above:
Being a collector of old pyrotechnic collectibles, how would you like
to stumble across three wooden cases of Hunter Brand Flashlight
Crackers from the late 1930s to early 40s? Two cases of 1-1/2" and one
case of 1-5/8" crackers. According to the outer wrapping, the port of
entry was San Francisco. ICC was used as far back as 1936.
Above:
Scarce “Triumph” Cannon Cracker MFG. by St. Louis Fireworks Co., circa
1890’s. (Interesting to note: It is reported that some home builders in
the 1800’s would place one of the cannon crackers in the walls of the
homes they were building so in case of a serious fire the occupants
would sure to be alerted.) It has written in old script on one
side “December 20th 1899, Mulberry, Ark. Maybe someone also was
going to help bring in the new century? Compliments of Sarah R.
 Unexcelled
Firework Co. circa 1880’s. 6 oz. to 8
Pound Exhibition Rockets, 1 Large Prismatic Whirlwind, #2 and #3 Geysers
***
 2
Vertical Wheels 10” and Extra Large, 4 Humming Birds, 3 Small Gold & Silver
Wheel, 1 Revolving Spider, 4 – 1 oz. to 1 pound Triangle Wheels, 2 Good Year
Cracker Boxes. 1 Box of Snakes in the
Grass. 1 Kaleidoscope Cone
***
 5 Medium to Mammoth Ground Spike Aerolite Fountains. Electric Volcano, Rainbow Fountain. 6 Star Floral Fountain. National Colors Fountain and Fountain of Pearls. 3 Ball to 30 Ball Roman Candles. 2 - #6 & #10 Flower Pots, 1 Position
Lite, 1 Silver Gerb, #10 Green Torch. 8
Ball to 10 Ball Prismatic Candles***
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1 doz. 36” Parade Sparklers, 2”, 3” & 5” Flash Salutes, One 2”
Buster Salutes, 1 #3 Aerial Flash Bomb, 4 – medium to mammoth Devil Among the
Tailors, 4 – medium to mammoth Dragon Nests, 2 – 10 Cent Box Fire
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No.
6, 7, 8, & 9 Color Mines
*** Large, Extra Large & Mammoth Jack-in-the-Box***
Standard Fireworks of India has been around since the
1860’s. It was originally an offshoot of a British Company. The USA
doesn’t import many fireworks from India, especially consumer fireworks, due to
their potency. The above advertised “Square Bombs” were quite
devastating.
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Super Atomic Brand
2" x 10 Pack, Early 1950's
Made in Portuguese, Macau
Scarce to Collectors!
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Early 5" Salute
"Inert" From the Late 1890's
UnXLD Company
"Ripper" Wonder Where They Got This Name From?!!!!!!
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Inert 1920's Store Display Board
Unexcelled Fireworks Company
Staten
Island, NY. The collector of this rare grouping said that the sole
remaining owner of the company stated that this board came from the
original store in lower Manhattan, NY when it finally went out of
business before WWII.
***
Salesman's Display
Items (inert) from Triumph Fuses & Fireworks Company
Elkton, MD
Started
by Ben Decker in 1933. Decker also iniated Victory Fireworks in 1922.
Both companies were short lived lasting only a decade or so. They also
manufactured war items for the US military. Products from these
companies are on the scarce side.
A "first" in the industry...
Is this example of a "winged" rocket!
Triumph Company, credited with placing fireworks into this rocket configuration. Rare!!!
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Inert Rare Display of Colored Display Rockets from the 1880's
***
Shown
here is an amazing salesman's display board of a selection of four to
eight pound special effects rockets, circa 1880's, from America's first
fireworks company founded in Rochester, NY in 1836. A grouping of to
include 8lb. Diamond Rocket, 4lb. Willow Tree Shower Rocket, 6lb.
Shooting Star Rocket, 6lb. Jeweled Streamer Rocket, 8lb. Prize Comet
Rocket, 4lb. Electric Shower Rocket, 4lb. Shooting Star Rocket, 4lb.
Jeweled Streamer Rocket, and a 4lb. Cornucopia Rocket.
Compliments of Barry Zecca foremost fireworks historian, enthusiast, and collector of American Pyrotechnics.
Inert Pictured here are four old timers from the past...
Cannon Salute Rocket
Mfg. by National Fireworks Co. 1907-1927 Hanover, Mass.
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Star Serpents Gold Rain Rockets Pat. March 14th 1874
Company Unknown
***
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Dragon Rocket
Excelsior Mfg. NY., 1880
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1 Pound unusual designed rocket
Circa 1880.
"So that's where NASA got their booster rocket design!"
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 (Above) American Sky Rockets (1930s - 1970s)
United, Unexcelled, Longhorn, N.J. Fireworks Co. & Monarck Co., Texas
 Inert (Above) Rare 1890s Salutes
Bunker Hill Salute - Reg. 1898
X-Ray - Pat. 1897
"I wasn't aware Madam C. was into fireworks!"
 (Above) A very interesting obscure item from the
Essex Co., (1930's) New Jersey Factory (Only in business a few years)
"Once a Cobbler's worst nightmare, these relics are safest being antique!"
 (Above) 1930's - Li Toming & Co., Scarce, Made in China (Above) Copyright 1949, Made in Macau
"A scarce one to collect!"
**A Blast from Our Past!
You
are looking at one of the rarest - American manufactured devices
collected today. A spent two pound Willow Tree Rocket casing
manufactured by the Excelsior Manufacturing Company - Detwiller &
Street - in New York (1840-1860).
**
Notice
the old European rocket design. Missing is about a three foot long
balance stick that would have been attached before flight. A longer,
more cone, design fell into fashion during and after the 1860's. These
newer style nose cones were made of heavy paper or wood.
**
Recognize this World Famous Pop Star?
Rare "Thriller" Fountains from the 90's
Light these and "Beat It"!
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**
The following items are parcels and bricks of 1-1/2" and 2" crackers from the 1950's - 1980's.
Mad Rat Brand - Made in China for Mike's Fireworks
Circa 1970's and 80's
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Gangster Brand - "Buckeye" - Dearfield, Ohio
Circa 1970's and 80's
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Lady Manhattan Brand - Manufactured by Foshan, Guangdong, China
Circa 1970's and 80's
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Pandas Select - "Super Charged" - Distributed by A&W Sales Co., Muncy, PA
Circa 1970's and 80's**
Giraffe Brand - Made in China
Circa 1950's and 60's**Camel Brand - Wang Yick Fireworks Co., Made in Macau
Circa 1950's and 60's**
2" Superior Mandarin - "Flying Fairy Brand" - Made in China
Circa 1950's**OK Brand - Made in Macau - Po Sing Firecracker Factory
Circa 1960's and 70's**
Zebra Brand (5/800 Strips) - Li & Fung LTD - Hong Kong, China
Circa 1970's thru 90's**
Superman Brand 1/2 Brick - Made in China for Buckeye Fireworks Co., Ohio
Circa 1980's**Flying Dragon Brand (5/400 Strips) - Made in China
Circa 1980's thru 90's**Red Devil Brand 1/2 Brick - Made in China
Circa 1970's and 80's**
Great Wall, Island Dragon and Chinese Junk - Made in Guangxi, China
40 Strips of 50's
Circa 1980's** "A recent discovery from the Forties"15 Packs of 80 x 7/8" Lady Crackers "Warrior Brand" Strips14 Packs of Blue Ribbon Brand "Red, White and Blue Colored Firecracker SalutesLarge Box of Paper Coned Report Bottle Flyers "Peacock Brand"1 Red Devil Silver Rain Fountain1 Comet Chaser Whistles Zig Zag with Report3 - 20 Ball Rozzi's Roman Candles**All items are fused with black Match**Courtesy of Cordier Auctions, Harrisburg, PA**  A selection of vintage postcards from the early 1900's** From Top Left - ClockwiseCats Brand - 7/8" x 1/6" Lady Fingers - Macau - "A small chap with a loud voice"Home Run Brand - Penny Pack - 1/4" x 1/8" (Rare)Big Boy Brand - Tai Lee Kong - Penny Pack** From LeftFlying Wheel Brand - 16 x 1-1/2" - Yick Loong Co. Macau - 1940'sJumbo (Special) - Kee Chong Hong - 1-11/16" x 16s - Macau - 1930's** From LeftFairy Brand - Sam Yik Saikee Tai Leung - Outside of North Gate Right! Made in China - 1930'sDragon Phoenix Brand - Lady Crackers - Made in China - 1930's** From LeftJungle Brand - 1-1/2" x 40 - Made in China - 1920'sWise Man Brand - 3 1/8" x 2-5/8" Class 1 - 1920's** From LeftSea Horse Brand - 3 x 2-5/8" - Old Yeun Kee - Macau - 1940'sTiger Brand - 16 x 1-1/2" - Sing Lung Co. Canton, China - 1940's** From LeftYuen Shing Mandarin Crackers - 4 1/2" x 4-1/4" (Rare) - 1920's-30'sDragon Brand Mandarin - 5 2-1/2" - Li and Fung Mfg. (Rare)** From Left.Yan Kee Boy Brand - 16 x 1-5/8" - Kwong Hing Tai Macau - 1930's-40'sGolden Dragon - 5 2" - Kwong Man Lung (Rare)** From LeftYick Loong Firework Co. - Macau - 1930's-40'sYankee Doodle Dandy - 2" - Unexcelled Mfg. Co. - NY - 1930's-40's**
Inert Special Effect Sky Rocket (3-12 lbs) on traveling display board.These
rockets were manufactured in 1880 at Rochester Fireworks Co.
(1836-1914), Rochester, NY. Rochester Fireworks Company is
America's first fireworks company. In the first decade of the
1800's the British army, conveniently stationed in Canada, harassed the
Great Lakes region and small towns with cannon and musket fire.
In response to this 20 year melee the fledgling Colonial
government started up a few powder mills in upstate New York and in the
Rochester area in particular. After the conclusion of the war of
1812 there were no need for so many
powder mills. One of the powder mills at Rochester was turned
into a fireworks company by a few enterprising English colonists and
henceforth gave birth to Rochester Fireworks Company in 1836.
Although it wasn't named Rochester Fireworks Company at first, the
company had its trademark name up until its closing at the start of the
20th century.
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Black Powder INSIN PO HE No. 1 MFG by Samyick Siukee - 6 1/8" x 5 1/8" Class 1.
A rare bundle of import cannon crackers from China early 1900's. Notice the crude wood block printed label on red rice paper. Probably only known example. | 
Confucius Brand "Mandarin" Firecrackers, cir. 1949.
A collector found the brand listed in a 40's catalog but they were never circulated for sale. Probably unique! Mao just wouldn't tolerate this religious label! | 
Various Brands of Entry Salutes, 1920's - 1950's. Imported and Domestic | 
1 1/2" Imported Firecracker Strips, 1930's | 
Two Sky rockets from the 20's.
8
oz. Parachute Flag Rocket manufactured by National Fireworks of
MA. No. 1 Day Light Flash Rocket manufactured by Triumph
Fireworks, MD. Take note of the Art Deco wrapping on this rocket. The art deco Art movement started in the early 20th century in Europe (France) and spread to the US in the 20's. It was a very popular design movement. Just look at the Empire State Building as a prime example of this movement in America. Form Follows Function! | 
1 Gross Carton of Essex Brand, NJ, Black Python Snakes -
"Guaranteed not to contain poisonous mercury", 1935. NOTE: Essex Fireworks Co. was only in operation for a few years. Probably only known example. | 
A selection of early 20th century imported crackers from China.
Wink Yuen 30-pack firecrackers, MFG. by Wink Yuen. Probably only example known.
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National
Fireworks Display Board of Sky Rockets, MA, cir. 1915 (2 oz. - 2 lbs)
& Roman Candles - 3, 5, 6, 10, 15, & 20 Ball.
10 Ball Roman Candles are a limit in the US today. A few years back an American importer imported a 100 shot
RC. They were about 6 ft. in height and took a while to shoot
off! Back at the turn of the century fireworks companies would
ship rockets separate from their balancing sticks because of breakage. | 
Fireworks Catalogs.
Several
early fireworks catalogs and price lists. Unexcelled Co., NY, NY, being
the largest in the country, 1874. Masten and Wells of MA was
another large company, 1927 and 1938 respectively. Back then, as American commodities go, fireworks were very expensive.
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"Go-Up Balloons" (Sky Lanterns today), cir. 1920's.
These Pyro items were banned by authorities soon after they came out in the 20's. Many people, especially
farmers, were complaining about their fields being set on fire. With
the resurgence of these fire hazards, I wonder how long they'll last
this time? | 
Up until WW II America made all of its own fireworks with the exception of crackers--they were always and still are imported from China, (too labor intensive and not cost effective for American manufacturing). | 
The Pyrotechnia of Vannoccio Bringuccio - written in 1540.
A comprehensive collection of various papers on every aspect of fire in the medieval period. Fascinating reading. Extremely rare volume! |
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| Wanted -- Old Fireworks and Related Items!
Top Prices paid for spent and unspent fireworks of any type before 1960 |
|
