Glassware

This lovely egg is a limited edition. It is # 109 out of just 2500.

*This egg is available in my store!

Fostoria began producing glassware in December of 1887 in Fostoria, Ohio. This was a great site because of the abundance of cheap natural gas for sale at a field nearby. Unfortunately, this was short-lived. The company moved to Moundsville, West Virginia in 1891 because coal and natural gas were abundant nearby.

For about 10 years, Fostoria made just pressed glass. Soon, they realized they should work to develop fine blown glass.

They also provided glass with government seals for the folks in Washington. Each president from Eisenhower to Reagan bought Fostoria glass.

There was a time when Fostoria was the single largest maker of hand-made glass - they employed over 1000 workers.

Fostoria created a beautiful art glass known as "Heirloom." It was pulled glass that was made in a variety of shapes ranging from console sets, platters, handkerchief bowls, all the way to epergnes. Some of the colors created were a lovely blue-green, blue, pink, white opalescent, and a lovely fire red and orange known as "bittersweet." Perhaps the most popular color is a bright yellow vaseline glass that glows brilliantly due to the use of uranium.

They made a popular pattern known as "Coin Glass" from the 1960s until the plant closed in 1986. This consisted of various colors of glass with frosted coin imprints.

Sources:
American Elegant Glass by Fostoria Collectors, Inc.
Fostglass Home Page
Fostoria Glass Museum
My head :)

Imperial was organized in 1901, but didn't begin it's first production until January of 1904. Originally, pieces sold for 5-10 cents each and consisted of tumblers and practical items.

Imperial's first major wholesale customer was F. W. Woolworth Co. and it's 500 stores.

In about 1910, Imperial Began producing crystal ware and iridescent items for decorative purposes. In 1916, Imperial began production of free-hand "stretch glass" and called the line Imperial Jewels.

In 1922 Imperial hired many additional skilled craftsman and began to officially call this division Imperial Art Glass.

As the Great Depression set in, Imperial found themselves in debt. The company filed for protection from the bankruptcy courts in March 1931 - this allowed them to continue production. By July, the courts were ordering that assets be auctioned off. Imperial almost saw its end at this point. Imperial was the largest employer in the area! The factory's close would have been a huge blow to the entire economy in that part of the state (as if the Great Depression wasn't bad enough already)

J. Ralph Boyd, who served as secretary, was able to post a $150,000 bond to hold the assets. Many employees gave up their vacation and pledged portions of their earnings to get the factory back on its feet.

The reorganized company was named Imperial Glass Corporation.

The introduction of "Candlewick" in 1936 was a major turning point. This pattern would be an important part of the Imperial production line for nearly 50 years.

In the 1960s Imperial's slag glass became very popular. Also came the introduction of pieces made from some of the old molds. These pieces were called the "New Carnival." These pieces are marked with the I super-imposed G mark.

Despite many successful items and patterns, Imperial began to succumb to the weakening economy and the foreign competition. In 1972, the company was bought by Lenox, Inc.

The decline of the company accelerated. Lenox elected to sell the company to a New York investor in 1981. This proved to be a disaster. The new owner asked workers to take a pay cut, which resulted in a strike. The factory was then sold in 1982 to a Minneapolis investor. All of these ownership changes along with foreign competition and the economy proved too much for this once fine American company.

In 1984 Imperial went into Chapter 11 bankruptcy and later into Chapter 7 bankruptcy until the plant closed forever on August 31, 1984. The company's assets were taken over by Lancaster Colony Corporation.

Candlewick, "Old Carnival," and slag glass are some of Imperial's most memorable products.

Sources:
Bellaire Public Library Page
Smithsonian Institute's Imperial Glass Company Records
National Imperial Glass Collector's Society
Stuff off the top of my head :)
*At the top right, you may note a photo of the mark used from 1951-1977. You will find a link for all of the marks in my link column towards the top of this page.

Model Flint was founded in 1888 in Findlay, Ohio. It was later moved to Albany, Indiana. They mostly produced tableware and opalescent glassware.

Model Flint became part of National Glass Company in 1900. National Glass was a group of glass companies formed because of economic troubles. The factory closed in 1902. This company is probably most-loved for its opalescent glassware.

Sources:
Standard Encyclopedia of Opalescent Glass by Edwards and Carwile
Stuff off the top of my head :)

*In the photo is a Wreath and Shell rose bowl whimsey that is available in my store.

Boyd Art Glass is a family run company that produces limited edition glass. Since 1978, they have produced nearly 300 different colors.

They produce figurines, covered dishes, toothpick holders, slippers, and more.

Glass truly runs in the Boyd family. Zack Boyd began working at the Cambridge factory at age 13 in 1901. Zack spent his whole life making glass until he passed away at the age of 80.

Bernard Boyd worked for Elizabeth Degenhart in her factory. When Degenhart passed away in 1978, she wrote in her will that Bernard was to be the first person given the option of buying the factory. Bernard bought the factory and all of the molds. (except those Elizabeth wished to retire)

The rest is history.

Now Boyd is run by the third and fourth generation of glass makers.

Sources:
Boyd's Art Glass website
Ashbrook Collectibles
Stuff off the top of my head :)

Fenton Pink Opalescent Iridescent Basket

*This item can be found in my store!

Northwood "Beaded Drapes"
Production Date: 1905

*This item can be found in my store!

Fenton Rosalene Rose Bowl
January 1974 Catalog Supplement

*This item can be found in my store!

Jefferson "Many Loops"
Also known as pattern #247

*This item can be found in my store!

Production dates: 1907-1908

This is a favorite pattern of mine!

**SOLD

This is a beautiful Early American Pattern Glass syrup that can be found in my store!

Jeanette "Floral Poinsettia" Pink Salad Plates
This pattern was made between 1931-1935. They are about 8 inches across - which is typical for depression era salad plates.

*These can be found in my store!

QVC Opal Satin Angel with Red Flowers
Fenton and QVC have a long history of cooperating on shows together. This angel was produced for the August, 2004 QVC show.

*This angel can be found in my store!

This is a peach crest vase. It is pulled into the "Jack in the Pulpit" shape, also known as JIP. This means that the top of the mouth is pulled up to a point, and the lower is pulled down to a point. JIP can also be referred to as a "Tulip" vase.

*This vase can be found in my store!

Fenton Mini Kitten Figurine

*This item can be found in my store!

This color consists of a pale yellowish/ivory color and a silver crest.

Made from 1940-1941. This beautiful color was discontinued because of wartime shortages.

Fenton Frog Hand Painted with Swarovski Cystal

**SOLD

This is another limited edition egg. This is # 555/3000.

**SOLD

Fenton Blue Hand Painted Bear

*This item is available in my store!

What is fun to display, easy to store, relatively inexpensive, delightful, a great conversation piece, and totally irresistible? A Fenton Figurine!

Top Reasons to Get Some:
1. Can you keep an elephant on your coffee table? NO! The coffee table would break for goodness sake! But you can keep a Fenton elephant there! Hand-painted, satin, opalescent, you guessed it- you got it!

2. You know when your neighbor stops by and you sit on the couch and have those awkward moments of silence when nobody knows what to say? Well, if you've got that elephant, or hand-painted cat, or satin pig... instant conversation! Voila- great topic right there on the coffee table- or cabinet!

3. So, you're having a bad day? What's better than a cute satin pig with a flower on it's butt? Now if that doesn't make you smile, what does?

4. You have that cousin, neighbor, or co-worker that has a birthday coming up. What to do, what to do...don't know enough about them to buy house-slippers or new underwear. Get them a figurine. Heck, you can even get 'em figurines with birth-stone colored hearts or little jeweled necklaces. What's cuter than that?

5. Do you have a favorite holiday? Christmas, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Memorial Day, 4th of July, and more! They've got a figurine for it. Everything from patriotic bears and puppies, to Christmas mice, to snowmen, and more!

***They're kind of like potato chips - you can't have just 1!

This Aurora cup and saucer was made by the Hazel-Atlas Glass Company in the late 1930s. The cobalt color is deep and rich

Cranberry Opalescent Hobnail Basket

*This item is available in my online store!

Kanawha Cased Glass Hobnail Bowl

Kanawha is one brand often mistaked for Fenton. Kanawha's hobnails are far more rounded than Fenton's, which could almost be described as "pointed"

*This item is for sale in my online store!

The vase is not marked in any way, but I believe it to be made from a Westmoreland "High Hob" mold. The mold was made without marks. If you look at the base and lower design and then the way it stretches towards the top, it looks just like the "High Hob" pattern. It is consistent with Westmoreland's Lilac Opalescent color. I cannot find record of any company making this vase, so this is just my speculation. Whatever it is, it certainly is a beauty!

This stunning banana boat was made by Beaumont Glass Company in 1898. It is 110 years old! This dish is made from the butter dome base. The top has been pulled up to make an oval shaped and then deeply ruffled. The base glass is a lovely blue and the opalescence is strong and rich.

This item is available in my store!