Millersburg Vases

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Millersburg Vases - Part 2

MILLERSBURG VASES - Part 2


Handwritten note surrounding this discovery. The note reads: "Ray, this was made in Grapeville in 1913. They only made a few. They could not press or blow out the Roses, so they did not bother any more. They throw them away and Dad brought this one home."

ROSE COLUMN Vase made in Grapeville, PA.	One of several photos supplied by William and Debbie Bigelow.

Over time, more detail presents itself under the canopy of Carnival Glass research! We can never say “finished”, nor that we have reached all conclusions, for just around the next turn, there is reason to pause and have another look at such as ROSE COLUMN vase:

January 25, 2008

“We were scanning the internet, came across your information on Rose Columns vases. My Grandfather William James Bigelow was one of the glass blowers that made these vases. He brought one home the day my father was born and gave it to my Grandmother as a gift. This was May 30th 1913. They lived in Pittsburgh, PA. I think it is a blue, from all information that we have gathered. We have the note that my Grandmother gave to my father, about the vase and how she received it the day he was born. My father left it to me because I was named after my Grandfather. We have pictures of the vase if you are interested.

Thanks, (Bill) Bigelow"

Along with 2 photos of the handwritten note, came nearly a dozen photos showing the vase in various angles. Conclusion, of course, is that the vase is not blue, (two are known) but amethyst base glass with extremely fine iridescence! (The amethyst Rose Column we once owned was not so well-endowed as this one!)

We must conclude with these findings that the mould found its way to Westmoreland Glass Co. (Westmoreland Specialty Co.) in Grapeville, PA following close of Millersburg Glass Co. in May 1912.

Westmoreland was a thriving business from 1890 -1984, and would certainly have been in the market for good molds wherever they were available.

How many vases were produced before the decision to abandon the idea? Having no answer to that question, we might assume that there are “a few” examples of this lovely vase which are not “genuine Millersburg”. How about THAT?

We thank Bill and Debbie Bigelow for their time and interest in sharing their portion of history to benefit our viewers! Education such as this is quite meaningful.

ACORN Vase - 5.5 in. tall in Green. Mlsbg.

Sold in excess of $10,000-ACGA Convention.

Courtesy Remmen Auctions.

ACORN vase: Considering the possibility that only four of these vases exist: one in amethyst, green, marigold and vaseline; little background information for attributing its derivation has ever surfaced. Some collectors believe that one of the U.S. Glass Conglomerates produced it, while others are certain that it was made by Millersburg. It is an interesting form and certainly one which would have produced difficulties in production. One wonders how many were lost in the attempt to remove it from the mould?

COUNTRY KITCHEN 6 in. Vase. 2 Known.

$5000. 3-07 Wroda Auction.

COUNTRY KITCHEN vase: A couple of taller versions are known and perhaps two of these shorter vases, all in marigold and whimsied or “swung” from the spooners.


SWIRLED HOBNAIL - 11 in. Green, $175, 11 in. Mgld. $275, 10 in. Amethyst, $170 - Wroda Auction, 3-07.

SWIRLED HOBNAIL Squatty Vase - 8 in. tall. - Green sold for $4100. 9-07 Richards Auction.

SWIRLED HOBNAIL vases: This pattern is perhaps more familiar in the rosebowl/spittoon shapes, but the vases are swung from the same mould. Height ranges from 11”-13”, with amethyst vases seen more often than either green or marigold. The 8” squatty version is quite unusual and resultant price indicates that!


MITERED OVALS in Amethyst.	MITERED OVALS - Green-$20,000 June 3, '06	MITERED OVALS in Marigold.

MITERED OVALS vases: In addition to being rare, expensive and most unusual in shape and design, we hasten to inform viewers that each one offers this tri-ruffled top. The usual Millersburg colors of amethyst, green and marigold are known. They are 10” in height, with bases of 4”- 4 ¼”.


OHIO STAR Swung Vases - Green	OHIO STAR in Marigold.-$1700

OHIO STAR vase: We are pleased to be able to display a couple of very rare swung vases in this pattern. A pair of green ones has remained on the mantle in the same house for at least the past 35 years, sparkling in all their glory! It's called “pride of ownership”!

Nice marigold examples are not easily obtained and will bring supreme prices when they surface. This pattern is not as rare as some others from Millersburg, although they remain quite high on the list of desirables.

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