Star Band

STAR BAND
Broad and Commerce Streets
Portsmouth, VA

What does The United Jewish Federation have in common with aluminum Christmas trees? Why, it’s Leon Cardon, co-founder of Star Band! Along with partner Carl Marc, Star Band was founded in 1948 in New York, then moved to the corner of Broad and Commerce Streets in Portsmouth, Virginia. Holiday Industries emerged as an extension of Star Band in 1959, starting with aluminum Christmas Trees. Leon Cardon’s 3rd son, Richard, worked with his father as a youth and still lives in Portsmouth. He generously shared his memories with The Aluminum Forest.

Richard fondly remembers that despite their Jewish faith, Leon loved Christmas. As a family, the Cardons observed Hanukkah, but on Christmas morning, Leon would be dressed in Santa pajamas (YES dears, I begged Richard for a photo, alas)!

Leon Cardon and his wife, Selma, left a tremendous legacy of leadership and service. They were very active in their synagogue, with Leon serving as president and Selma as a member of the choir. Leon was President of the Suburban Country Club in Portsmouth and a member of the Lion’s Club. They were both globally active in the United Jewish Federation and volunteered with the organization in Israel. Richard describes his parents as being a beautiful couple, each complementing the other. He describes his father as being very well-respected in business and in their community.

Hallmarks of STAR BAND

Star Band is especially recognized for their pom-pom and ‘jewel-tipped’ trees, with glass balls nestled inside the poms. The Frostie Flock model has a red styrofoam jewel- no surprise after learning that Star Band had an entire styrofoam division in their novelty enterprise.

POLES

Star Band angled drill holes

The poles were an outsourced item, according to Richard Cardon. Interestingly, the holes were drilled at an angle. The bottom of the poles are tapered.

STANDS

The standard Star Band stand has glamorous, curvy legs that differentiate it from the structured, atomic-style stands that are more common in the aluminum tree universe. These stands will, however, make you throw a fit. 3 legs with interlocking teeth must be held just so, with the pole inserted, in order to get the slip ring securely on. Star Band is known to have used a number of different stand styles for their smaller trees.

PATENTS

Star Band licensed under the Reece Paul patent 2,893,149

Courtesy of the United States Patent and Trademark Office

PRODUCTION

Star Band was a large company with many divisions and warehouses. The Sparkler Aluminum Christmas Tree production must have been prolific, as a great many can readily be found on any given day in the current resale market.

Enjoy our selections from the 1965 Star Band catalog!

Images courtesy of Mark Podmore. Thanks, Mark!