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[[File:Replica feather Christmas tree.jpg|thumb|right|A replica of a 19th |
[[File:Replica feather Christmas tree.jpg|thumb|right|A replica of a 19th-century feather tree, the branches are tinted light green]] |
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A '''feather Christmas tree''' is a type of [[artificial Christmas tree]] that is generally considered one of the first artificial trees used as a [[Christmas tree]]. They originated in Germany in the late 19th century and became popular in the United States during the early 20th century. |
A '''feather Christmas tree''' is a type of [[artificial Christmas tree]] that is generally considered one of the first artificial trees used as a [[Christmas tree]]. They originated in Germany in the late 19th century and became popular in the United States during the early 20th century. |
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==History== |
==History== |
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Feather Christmas trees were first created in [[Germany]] in the 1880s<ref name=penn/><ref name=john/> or 1890s<ref name=marling/> and are regarded as one of the first types of artificial Christmas trees.<ref name=john>John, J. ''A Christmas Compendium'', ([ |
Feather Christmas trees were first created in [[Germany]] in the 1880s<ref name=penn/><ref name=john/> or 1890s<ref name=marling/> and are regarded as one of the first types of artificial Christmas trees.<ref name=john>John, J. ''A Christmas Compendium'', ([https://books.google.com/books?id=yBP8a2jJ9A4C&dq=feather+christmas+trees+germany&pg=PA129 Google Books]), Continuum International Publishing Group, 2005, p. 129, ({{ISBN|0826487491}}).</ref><ref name=silverthorne/> These first artificial trees were, in part, a response to growing environmental concerns in the late 19th century concerning [[deforestation]] associated with the harvest of Christmas trees in Germany.<ref name=john/> The tradition of feather Christmas trees was brought to the [[United States]] by [[German American|German immigrants]] in places such as [[Pennsylvania]] and [[Texas]].<ref name=penn>Leiser, Amy. "[http://www.monroehistorical.org/articles/files/ea0ac5d12455fc7a3935b3c345311d4c-34.html The Pennsylvania Christmas Tree]{{Dead link|date=August 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}", ''Monroe County Historical Association'', December 2005, accessed March 28, 2009.</ref><ref name=silverthorne/> |
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| ⚫ | Benefits touted for feather trees included the elimination of a trip to the tree lot and the lack of shed needles.<ref name=marling>Marling, Karal Ann. ''Merry Christmas!: Celebrating America's Greatest Holiday'', ([https://books.google.com/books?id=EUc13_ourtYC&dq=feather+christmas+trees+germany&pg=PA58 Google Books]), Harvard University Press, 2000, pp. 58–62, ({{ISBN|0674003187}}).</ref> Today, feather Christmas trees are valued as a collectible [[antique]].<ref name=silverthorne/> One {{convert|36|in|cm|-1|abbr=off|adj=on|order=flip|sp=us}} German tree sold at auction in 2008 for $230.<ref name=about>Wiggins, Pamela. "[http://antiques.about.com/od/holidaycollectiblespgs/ig/Christmas-Collectibles-Values/Early-German-Feather-Tree.htm Feather Christmas Tree] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090606150831/http://antiques.about.com/od/holidaycollectiblespgs/ig/Christmas-Collectibles-Values/Early-German-Feather-Tree.htm |date=2009-06-06 }}", ''[[about.com]]'', accessed March 28, 2009.</ref> |
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==Design== |
==Design== |
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[[File:Antique feather tree2.jpg|thumb|right|An antique feather Christmas tree, note the central dowel]] |
[[File:Antique feather tree2.jpg|thumb|right|An antique feather Christmas tree, note the central dowel]] |
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Feather trees were initially made of green-dyed [[goose]] [[feathers]] which were attached to wire branches.<ref name=marling/> The feathers were split and then secured with wire to form the branches.<ref name=penn/> These wire branches were then wrapped around a central [[dowel]] which acted as the trunk.<ref name=marling/> The branches were widely spaced to keep the candles from starting a fire, which allowed ample space for ornamentation.<ref name=marling/> Feather Christmas trees ranged widely in size, from a small 2 |
Feather trees were initially made of green-dyed [[goose]] [[feathers]] which were attached to wire branches.<ref name=marling/> The feathers were split and then secured with wire to form the branches.<ref name=penn/> These wire branches were then wrapped around a central [[dowel]] which acted as the trunk.<ref name=marling/> The branches were widely spaced to keep the candles from starting a fire, which allowed ample space for ornamentation.<ref name=marling/> Feather Christmas trees ranged widely in size, from a small {{convert|2|in|cm|0|abbr=off|adj=on|order=flip|sp=us}} tree to a large {{convert|98|in|m|abbr=off|adj=on|order=flip|sp=us}} tree sold in [[department store]]s during the 1920s.<ref name=silverthorne>Silverthorne, Elizabeth. ''Christmas in Texas'', ([https://books.google.com/books?id=9G-58ECNgTUC&dq=feather+christmas+trees+germany&pg=PA62 Google Books]), Texas A&M University Press, 1994, p. 62, ({{ISBN|0890965781}}).</ref> Often, the tree branches were tipped with artificial red berries which acted as [[Candlestick|candle holder]]s.<ref name=marling/> |
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==Popularity== |
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| ⚫ | Benefits touted for feather trees included the elimination of a trip to the tree lot and the lack of shed needles.<ref name=marling>Marling, Karal Ann. ''Merry Christmas!: Celebrating America's Greatest Holiday'', ([ |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{ |
{{Reflist}} |
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==Further reading== |
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*Crews, Barbara. "[http://collectibles.about.com/od/holidaycollectin1/ig/Feather-Trees/ Feather Christmas Trees: Pictures, Prices and Patents] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081022053515/http://collectibles.about.com/od/holidaycollectin1/ig/Feather-Trees/ |date=2008-10-22 }}", ''[[about.com]]'', accessed March 28, 2009. |
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*Mueller, Thomas G. "[http://library.ndsu.edu/grhc/history_culture/custom_traditions/germantree.html Grandpa Salomon's German Christmas Tree]", Germans From Russian Heritage Collection, ''[[North Dakota State University]] Libraries'', updated December 18, 2008, accessed March 28, 2009. |
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==External links== |
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{{Commons category|Feather Christmas trees}} |
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*"[http://www.bhg.com/holidays/christmas/trees/country-mitten-feather-christmas-tree/ Country Mitten Feather Tree]", (Image of 1930s Feather tree), ''[[Better Homes and Gardens (magazine)|Better Homes and Gardens]]'', accessed March 28, 2009. |
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*"[http://migration.kentucky.gov/NR/exeres/46939402-493C-4E71-A337-6224FD746754.htm Joanne Hobbs Creates Goose Feather Christmas Trees at Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea]", ([[Press release]]), Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea, via ''[[Kentucky|Kentucky.gov]]'', November 25, 2008, accessed March 28, 2009. |
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{{christmas trees}} |
{{christmas trees}} |
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[[Category:Christmas trees]] |
[[Category:Artificial Christmas trees]] |
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[[Category:German-American culture]] |
[[Category:German-American culture]] |
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Latest revision as of 05:24, 4 April 2024
A feather Christmas tree is a type of artificial Christmas tree that is generally considered one of the first artificial trees used as a Christmas tree. They originated in Germany in the late 19th century and became popular in the United States during the early 20th century.
History
[edit]Feather Christmas trees were first created in Germany in the 1880s[1][2] or 1890s[3] and are regarded as one of the first types of artificial Christmas trees.[2][4] These first artificial trees were, in part, a response to growing environmental concerns in the late 19th century concerning deforestation associated with the harvest of Christmas trees in Germany.[2] The tradition of feather Christmas trees was brought to the United States by German immigrants in places such as Pennsylvania and Texas.[1][4]
Feather Christmas trees became popular during the early 20th century,[2] and were sold by department stores in the United States.[4] Benefits touted for feather trees included the elimination of a trip to the tree lot and the lack of shed needles.[3] Today, feather Christmas trees are valued as a collectible antique.[4] One 90-centimeter (36-inch) German tree sold at auction in 2008 for $230.[5]
Design
[edit]
Feather trees were initially made of green-dyed goose feathers which were attached to wire branches.[3] The feathers were split and then secured with wire to form the branches.[1] These wire branches were then wrapped around a central dowel which acted as the trunk.[3] The branches were widely spaced to keep the candles from starting a fire, which allowed ample space for ornamentation.[3] Feather Christmas trees ranged widely in size, from a small 5-centimeter (2-inch) tree to a large 2.5-meter (98-inch) tree sold in department stores during the 1920s.[4] Often, the tree branches were tipped with artificial red berries which acted as candle holders.[3]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Leiser, Amy. "The Pennsylvania Christmas Tree[permanent dead link]", Monroe County Historical Association, December 2005, accessed March 28, 2009.
- ^ a b c d John, J. A Christmas Compendium, (Google Books), Continuum International Publishing Group, 2005, p. 129, (ISBN 0826487491).
- ^ a b c d e f Marling, Karal Ann. Merry Christmas!: Celebrating America's Greatest Holiday, (Google Books), Harvard University Press, 2000, pp. 58–62, (ISBN 0674003187).
- ^ a b c d e Silverthorne, Elizabeth. Christmas in Texas, (Google Books), Texas A&M University Press, 1994, p. 62, (ISBN 0890965781).
- ^ Wiggins, Pamela. "Feather Christmas Tree Archived 2009-06-06 at the Wayback Machine", about.com, accessed March 28, 2009.
Further reading
[edit]- Crews, Barbara. "Feather Christmas Trees: Pictures, Prices and Patents Archived 2008-10-22 at the Wayback Machine", about.com, accessed March 28, 2009.
- Mueller, Thomas G. "Grandpa Salomon's German Christmas Tree", Germans From Russian Heritage Collection, North Dakota State University Libraries, updated December 18, 2008, accessed March 28, 2009.
External links
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Feather Christmas trees.
- "Country Mitten Feather Tree", (Image of 1930s Feather tree), Better Homes and Gardens, accessed March 28, 2009.
- "Joanne Hobbs Creates Goose Feather Christmas Trees at Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea", (Press release), Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea, via Kentucky.gov, November 25, 2008, accessed March 28, 2009.