US Glass - Part 4

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US Glass - Part 4

UNITED STATES GLASS COMPANY - Part 4

Note: Massachusetts Mug was being manufactured by Factory K in the U.S. Glass conglomerate in 1898-the pattern aka Arched Points, Cane Vt., Geneva, and Star & Diamonds-depicted on page 323 of Early American Pattern Glass 2nd Ed. By Daryl Reilly & Bill Jenks.

MASSACHUSETTS MUG AND TUMBLER

MASSACHUSETTS MUG and TUMBLER: When John Britt was at the height of his research on rare carnival glass in the `80s and early `90s, he thought this mug to be the only one in marigold.

Said to have very nice color and super iridescence, it stands 3 ¾” tall and 2 5/8” across the top. The base is 1 ¾” in diameter and contains a 24 point star on the underside. The base is square (reminiscent of the shape used for Cosmos and Cane tankards). The two known marigold tumblers are round at the base.

The U.S. Glass book, “U.S. Glass From A to Z”, by William Heacock & Fred Bickenheuser shows the Massachusetts pattern on a sugar, creamer and spooner having square bases. The table set is shown on page 144 in plate A of that same book. Is it possible that the creamer was shaped from the same mold used for the mug, by simply shaping a spout along the edge?

The central motif for the pattern is the arches which contain a raised cane-type design. Four of these arches are evenly spaced around the mug. The handle is part of the mold and is not applied. There are notches pressed into both sides of the handle. Top of the handle is covered with small raised dots.

Should we hope that there is an iridized table set in this pattern, lurking somewhere “in the wings”, waiting to be found?

MASSACHUSETTS VASE

MASSACHUSETTS VASE: Larry Keig noted on 9/13/05 that he has a Massachusetts vase in his collection, raising the possibility of more than a couple of known examples in this scarce pattern. We would like to hear from any others who may own a vase.

1909 US Glass Domestic Catalog

Note: Massachusetts as a pattern was identified as U.S. Glass #15054

Minnesota as a pattern was identified as U.S. Glass # 15055

Both patterns were in production in 1909

A mystery exists, as to just when and by whom the few known examples in these obscure Manhattan, Massachusetts and Minnesota patterns came to be iridized in marigold?? Terry Crider has performed the act for a number of collectors over the years since the early `80s, and we have been told by one collector who visited there, that he had boxes full of clear, pressed glass pieces lined up along a wall, awaiting his application of marigold for clients! Having seen some of his work, we conclude that deciphering the difference between old and new iridization is difficult at best! It is of further interest, when considering that no further examples have been “found” in recent years. All of this bears some serious consideration by newer collectors who have not taken time to delve into some history connected with carnival glass collecting.

Manhattan pattern shown in the 1909 US Glass Domestic Catalog.

Note: Manhattan as a pattern was identified as U.S. Glass #15078 and was being manufactured in 1909.

U.S. Glass MANHATTAN Shot Glass, Marigold - photo Courtesy Bob Smith

John Britt reported on a Manhattan Liquor Set in the late `80s, saying it was the only one known in carnival glass. The decanter is small and the shot glasses are tiny. The pattern is shown in Heacocks “U.S. Glass from A to Z” on page 144. It is shown on page 52 of that same book, with a maiden blush color, flashed crystal. Quite a few pieces of this pattern have been seen, including the toothpick in clear crystal with gold trim. This carnival set should be considered rare.

MANHATTAN Vase is 6.50 in. tall, and is shown in Hartung's Book 10.

MANHATTAN VASE: U.S. Glass made this pattern in crystal in large quantities. To find a piece of Manhattan in carnival glass is a rarity. This vase is of good strong marigold with fine iridescence. It is about 6 ½” tall and was found by Michael Cain in the Chattanooga, TN area. The vase is listed as a “Souvenir Vase” in Book 10 of the Hartung Series, page 62. Since Mrs. Hartung's description of the vase includes “The Hale Baths” and “Hot Springs, Ark.” It is possible that more could turn up in that area of the Country. The vase was loaned to Mrs. Hartung for her sketching, by Dr. and Mrs. Pritchard of Stuttgart, Arkansas, whose collection of many years was sold during the 2004 HOACGA Convention by Seeck Auctions.


JUICE REAMER- 4 1/2 diameter by 5 1/2 inches tall

Reamers from 1937 US Glass Catalog

JUICE REAMERS: were a staple with many of the early glass manufacturers. Household kitchen items, along with tableware of very practical nature for use in hotels and restaurants were also staples of the sort which were frequently broken in public places and replacement needs were imminent. During the “Roaring Twenties” when tourist travel was beginning in earnest, perhaps the glass of a practical, daily use variety peaked. These Reamers are shown in a 1937 U.S. Glass catalog, so the need for them continued on into the days of WWII in the early to mid `40s when plastic utensils entered the competition for attention of the housewife.


MINNESOTA Mug	Pale Marigold MINNESOTA Mug seen in Bob Ray's room at www.cga Convention April 2005

MINNESOTA MUG: This pattern is shown in the book “U.S. Glass From A to Z” by Wm Heacock and Fred Bickenheuser. U.S. Glass made a series of state patterns including Minnesota, Michigan, Texas, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Missouri, Kansas. Many of these state patterns were made in clear and colored glass including the popular ruby stain glass. Seldom is one of these patterns found in carnival glass. John Britt reported in the HOACGA Educational Series III that he and Lucile had seen several pieces of iridized glass in the Massachusetts pattern. This 3 ¼” tall mug with a collar base of 2 ¼” in diameter has a 24 point star pressed into the underside of the base. The handle was included in the four part mold. The outside of the handle is flat and contains a washboard type pattern. The exterior pattern contains three large diamonds with hobnails alternating with four smaller diamonds containing a hobstar-like figure. There has been only one mug reported in marigold. A marigold vase in this pattern is shown in Bill Edwards 3rd Edition book on page 131. A likely assumption is that the marigold mug was an experimentation at the time competing glass makers such as Fenton, Northwood, Imperial and Dugan were making iridized glass in large volume. Even Westmoreland was into production of iridized glass in the early years.

Although a crystal table set was manufactured in this pattern, to date, none have been discovered with iridization.

JACOB'S LADDER Rosebowl

JACOB'S LADDER: This rose bowl shape and a perfume bottle are the only known pieces in this very unusual pattern and marigold is the only known color. Obscurity keeps this piece out of circulation to any large degree. The design has similar characteristics of the Kokomo rose bowl, which is very difficult to find, as well.

This pattern was never listed in any of the Hartung Books, but Presznick Book 2-page 36 mentions that the maker was unknown at that time. A small milk pitcher in the pattern is illustrated in Kamm Book one - page 20. Originally made by Bryce Bros. and called “Maltese”. An old trade catalog dated 1885 described different pieces made in the pattern. In 1891, some fifteen different glass companies, including Bryce Brothers, known as the U.S. Glass Company's Factory B, iridized glass, now known as Carnival Glass.

Jacob's Ladder rose bowl is 3” high with a top opening of 5 3/8”. The collar base is 3 3/8” in diameter with a 24 point star pressed into the underside of the base. This unusual piece can be termed a rarity in any language.

For more info please see:

US Glass - Part 5

Dean & Diane Fry - 3/05

Happiness isn't found by pursuing it. It's a by-product of seeking an ever-closer walk with God. When we do, we will find a depth of happiness no person or thing can give. That's what David referred to when he said, “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him!” (Psalm 34:8)---Herb Vander Lugt