Carnival Glass 101 | home Quick Reference to Carnival Glass Patterns on This Site
Punch Sets - Part 2
PUNCH SETS – Part 2
DIAMONDS: Just a few amethyst bases are known. One green bowl has been reported, but interestingly, there are no known carnival cups in the Diamonds pattern. The marigold base and bowl displayed here could very well be the only matched pieces in marigold! Since John Fenton is known to have experimented with pattern/color before going into production on many items, we can assume this particular “sampling” did not measure up to expectations and was not placed into production.
Jim Wroda and Company sold these during the annual Memorial Weekend sale, 2007, in Greenville, OH.
The DIAMONDS base/bowl/tumblers photo is taken from an ICGA Newsletter insert provided during the 1980s by the late Don Moore. Don was always “game” for a clever story/antic. Since there are no known cups for this set, he utilized what was at hand, borrowing the tumblers from his water set. (This is NOT to indicate that in the absence of cups, tumblers will “suffice”!) However, as we have discovered, when a photo is taken, as in the case of Stork and Rushes Punch Bowl sitting atop a Summers Day Vase, the usage was “accepted” many eons ago! Such “acceptance” does NOT make it correct however.
In remembering Don Moore, I must tell you a funny one. He was presenting the Banquet program for an ICGA Convention held in Cedar Rapids, IA in the 80s, pausing briefly to state that he had purchased so much glass while there, he was not certain he had space in his small Toyota to haul it all back to CA. He said, “If you are traveling west from here following the convention and see a gray-haired lady running alongside a Toyota, please stop and pick her up. I may not have space for her and the glass.” Ah, yes! That was Don at his best.
MULTI - FRUITS and FLOWERS Punch Set – Blue: One complete set having 6 cups is known in blue. Excitement always blooms whenever an object in blue Millersburg surfaces. Sad to say, many of those blue examples are poorly iridized, although that factor seldom defeats large scale price results. The second known bowl/base/2 cups in this pattern sold handsomely at $22,000. The new owner is fortunate to have beauty and rarity combined, although reportedly, the previous owner had paid $26,000, plus a buyers premium for the set.
Less than a week following the Wroda Auction in late May 2007, Steve Maag, well-known Millersburg collector confirmed the third-known set in blue. The bowl had been given to a young man as a graduation present some years ago. The blue base was obtained sometime later.
The distinct difference in iridescent quality is observed by comparing the photos. Discussion of “silvery” iridescence is ‘all over the board’ with ‘opinions’. Clarification of just how this silvery appearance occurs has been thoroughly explained by the late Frank M. Fenton in various discussions while Frank would present some of his fine programs for Club Conventions around the Country. Silver iridescence was not sprayed on, per se’! Multi-colored iridescent spray is layered on, then fired. One too many applications of spray results in silvery appearance after firing. The same applies to many of the red pieces from Fenton Glass which have that “silvery” overcast.
Punch sets with flared tops become available more often than the tulip topped variety. Carnival colors are amethyst, green, and marigold, with green more difficult to locate. Complete punch sets with the tulip top are: one each in amethyst and marigold, two in green.
MANY FRUITS: Punch Sets are known in marigold, amethyst, oxblood, cobalt blue and white. Bowl and base may be either round or flared edges. There seem to be fewer marigold examples than collectors might realize, although they will not bring the attention given to the darker colors. White sets are highly prized and very rare, with the cobalt pieces being extremely rare. Only one complete set in blue can be confirmed. Dugan’s white carnival was introduced in December of 1911. Wholesale catalogs offer confirmation that their cobalt blue line first appeared in early 1912. Perhaps those two colors may have just begun to appear at just about the time of the February 1912 fire which destroyed many molds.
Included in the 1911 annual Pittsburgh Glass Exhibition, one of the trade journalists in attendance later described the Dugan display as follows: “Surmounting a solid glass pyramid, in one of their rooms are two samples of punch bowls that radiate the colors of the rainbow in peaches, grapes, and other fruits. The high foot of the punch bowl is reversible.” This matching base is patterned with cherries and leaves. Use as a compote may offer explanation as to the scarcity of those “high footed bases” today?
ORANGE TREE: is such a familiar pattern from Fenton and available in a wide selection of shapes! Punch sets are most available in blue, with marigold running a close second. Amethyst sets are not abundant. Only two green flared top bowls are known; one set having sold in 1996 for $7,000! White sets are quite rare.
(Click on ~~
~~ in our pattern alphabet-home page, to view a white set.) There seem to be more bowls having flared openings than those with ruffled edges.
~~ in our pattern alphabet-home page, to view a white set.) There seem to be more bowls having flared openings than those with ruffled edges.
BIG THISTLE: Known only in amethyst, this represents one of Millersburg’s most desired rarities. Reportedly, two punch bowls with straight sides and two having flared edges are known. At least two bases are known, with no cups having been reported. This is the only one of four punch sets made by Millersburg, having the Wide Panel exterior pattern.
Dean & Diane Fry – 7-07
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Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
Let your gentleness be known to all men.
The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing,
but in everything by prayer and supplication,
with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,
will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true,
whatever things are noble, whatever things are just,
whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely,
whatever things are of good report,
if there is anything praiseworthy-----
meditate on these things.
The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me,
these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
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