18 replies to this topic

[patrickescotland]

Unfortunately no fireworks/tissue paper inside... I like the wording of the "Handling of Fireworks" instructions, particularly rule 12.

[pyrotechnist]

Love rule 12 , great box btw.

[phildunford]

Rule 12

Red rag to a bull! lol

PS does that mean it's OK for girls?

Edited by phildunford, 26 November 2008 - 02:16 PM.

[portfire]

Rule 12

Red rag to a bull! lol

PS does that mean it's OK for girls?

Boys are only "cautioned" not to experiment, dosen't mean they can't

Off topic but congrats on becoming a 'Top Trump' phil, I know you've contributed greatly to the forum

[kcnkickthecat]

Superb memorabilia...

Oh, what I wouldn't give to see the old selections in action once again...

[Firefiend]

Thought you might like to see some of the typical contents of these old 1970's boxes - wish I could see them in action again but I'd never forgive myself if I let em off!!

[crystal palace fireworks]

Terrific firefriend,..........I remember the `crackling couldron`, my eyes aint what they used to be!...is there any chance you could list some of the names of the Astra fireworks?

[Firefiend]

Hi Crystal Palace Fireworks
Fireworks are as follows:

Size 'D' Box
Crackling Cauldron
Crackling Pearl
Electric Roman Candle
Floodlight
Floodlight (Red)
Golden Rain
Jewel Rain
Jewel Torch
Silver Fountain
Silver Glitter
Starry Drop
Tiara Spray

Size 'F' Box
Crackling Cauldron
Crackling Pearl
Electric Roman Candle - Size C
Electric Roman Candle - Size G
Fairy Spray
Floodlight (Red)
Flower Pot
Golden Pearl
Golden Rain
Mount Stromboli
Silver Fountain
Silver Glitter
Sky Rocket
Starry Drop
Tiara Spray
Wheel

How about this for an old 'Crystal Palace' box!!

http://pyrotechnics....org/files/brock

Edited by Firefiend, 06 January 2009 - 07:09 PM.

[pyrotechnist]

Is there any chance you could fire one, a small one lol :> would love to see one in action.

[Firefiend]

Not even a little one!!

This is the best I can do:



Octaviaus Hunt Mister Sparkle Red Lantern

It's a bit like the small Astra Red Floodlight.

[pyrotechnist]

lol, thank you. Not heard of mister sparkle brand before or is that part of the name?

[Firefiend]

Mr Sparkle were a brand name used by Octavius Hunt, better known for their Sparklers and Bengal Matches. This firework was from the 1980's. Octavius Hunt are still around today http://www.octaviushunt.co.uk/

[crystal palace fireworks]

Thanks Firefriend for listing the contents of the box,

I now vaguely remember lighting the original red floodlight by astra too (much longer in terms of endurance and deeper red in colour if I remember correctly)!, shame the mister sparkle never lived up to the astra firework of the same type,.....but thanks for lighting & showing it anyway!

Question,

Do you think its possible to have some of the BP/composition of the Astra fireworks analyzed in a lab to perhaps get a clue to find the original recipes so to speak?

by the way,.....loved the old indoor CT Brock & Co box,........what era was that from?

regards

Keith Brock

[Firefiend]

Wow a Brock - Now I see the Crystal Palace Fireworks connection!!

The compositions could possibly be analysed although I'm not sure who could undertake this and you could only get to the top layer. Possibly an easier way would be to find people with the original formula books - I think I know a couple of people who may have some of them. I'll ask next time I speak with them.

As kids we used to buy loads of the tiny Astra 2d Fireworks, as we had little money but at that price you could always be sure of having some fireworks to let off. We would get loads of the Green and Red Floodlights, Tiara Sprays, Daisy Sprays, Jewel Torches and the very thin straw like Magic torches and Fairy Torches. In all my years of collecting I have never managed to get my hands on the Daisy Spray, Green Floodlight or Fairy Torch, despite the fact there must have been thousands of them made.



I think the Brock's Box probably dates to the late 1920's / Early 1930's, particuarly as it is from the Sutton Factory which I believe closed in about 1935.

One of my other favourite boxes is actually a Brock's one. A lot of their fireworks (along with Wilder's ones) had the solid fuel mixture which I though was particularly good in fireworks such as the Burning Bush, Hornets Nest, Pixie Tree and Twinkler. The old fireworks had such wonderful names..............

http://pyrotechnics....org/files/brock

Aurora; Banshee; Catherine Wheel (2"); Crimson Cascade; Crack Pot (2); Elfin Spurs; Firefly; Golden Dust; Hornets Nest; Jade Jet; Roman Candle; Silver Cloud; Stella Electric Sparklers (7") Pack of 6; Tracer Stream Roman Candle; Tropical Storm; Vampire Bat.

[pyrotechnist]

That will be great if you can get the original formula books :> would help a lot of us on the re-creation of these old beuties.