Thanks charlie, I may try some of that to the edges, Yvonne is in the medical profession so I'm sure she can get some. I know she has the cotton balls...
I was going to say early 40's Chris, but David's link to the advert sort of puts them spot on, late 30's early 40's.
Yes they do work, there's a couple of small cracks in two of the shades, but they light up. it's not something I would use, as my lights are on a timer, and I'd be very weary about doing the same thing with these...
I just love the old artwork, we had a set of nursery rhymes lights, very similar, but my Dad binned the box...