US Glass - Part 10

PANELED PALM Mug: This little mug is not listed in any of the carnival glass books most collectors are familiar with. Wm. Heacock and Fred Bickenheuser illustrate the Paneled Palm pattern in their Book 5 - page 43 - US Glass from A-Z, stating that the pattern was made after 1906, indicating that it was produced during the carnival glass era. Doris Bliss was very kind in allowing us to borrow her copy of this book which is out of print.

Only two of these Paneled Palm mugs have been seen in carnival glass. Both are a nice marigold color with fine iridescence. The mug is somewhat smaller than the Singing Birds mug, standing only 3 3/8” tall. A twenty point star figure is pressed into the bottom side of the base.

The Marigold mug appeared in the Jan. 2008 Reichel auction. The late John Britt owned one of these mugs and wrote an article surrounding its existence during the 1980s timeframe.

PORTLAND VT. : Said to be the only Portland tumbler mold made by U.S. Glass. It is a light amber-type marigold with pastel iridescence. The tumbler is four inches tall with a top diameter of 3 3/8 inches. The base is 2 ¼ inches diameter and has been factory ground. There is a 20 point incised star design in the base. The Portland pattern table set is shown in Butler Bros. Oct. 1909 Catalog issue in company with other known U.S. Glass patterns on the same page. Drawings of various forms in the Portland pattern are shown on page 155 of U.S. Glass from A to Z by William Heacock and Fred Bickenhauser. Only two or three iridized Portland tumblers are known. Bob Smith graciously provided us with a photo of his.

BANDED PORTLAND: (Virginia). This tumbler is 3 ¾” tall with a top diameter of 3 1/16”. It has an eight-sided little base of 2 to 2 3/16” diameter. A Butler Bros. Wholesale Catalog Ad of 1906 shows a full selection of items in the pattern - including a tumbler. The ad headlines “Our Rainbow decorated Assortment”, further stating “Edges and Panels are decorated in delicate colors” and “are burned in and will not wear off”.

The pattern was produced as early as 1901 in a large variety of pieces, but to date, only salt shakers, a puff box and a toothpick have been found in marigold carnival finish, along with two rare tumblers in a soft finish called “Maiden's Blush”. The tumbler we show here is in that finish, which in color, ranges from a soft pink to pale Cranberry with a pastel iridescence.

LONG BUTTRESS - PORTLAND: When Cecil Whitley sent us the photo of her Portland and Long Buttress tumblers, she included an article on the subject, written by the late John Britt, saying, “He is still the best source of tumbler information.”

In addition to the designs shown on page 155 of U.S. Glass from A to Z by Wm. Heacock and Fred Bickenheuser, patterns are shown in the Metz book #1 on page 106, and illustrated in Kamm book #1 - page 107. Made in large quantities in clear crystal and produced in a wide variety of shapes, iridized examples in these patterns are an entirely different story.

The pitcher was thought to be Cone & Tie for sometime. Even O. Joe Olson, noted early writer of the day called it Cone & Tie until it was correctly identified at one of the Conventions, where an amethyst Cone & Tie tumbler clearly showed the differences in pattern. That pitcher was later sold at the Kaisner auction in March of 1983 by Tom Burns for $200. It is the only known water pitcher with iridescence. It was listed and sold as LONG BUTTRESS.

The Long Buttress tumbler is made of thicker glass and is much heavier than most other carnival glass tumblers. It is 4 ½” tall, 3 ½” across the top and 3” in diameter at the base. A 20 point star is pressed into the underside of the base. Eight panels are used around the outside of the tumbler. Both tumbler and pitcher contain deep slashes at the base.

Cecil Whitley, of Houston, Texas reports that many knowledgeable carnival glass collectors show a lot of interest in the Portland and Long Buttress tumblers, when viewing their collection.

The base of the Long Buttress tumbler was factory ground. Iridescence is a rainbow effect applied to the clambroth surface. Introduced by Fostoria in 1904 in crystal form, discontinued in 1913, they called it pattern #1299. It is shown in many different shapes on pages 36 and 37 of “Fostoria, Its First Fifty Years” by Hazel Marie Weatherman, published in 1972.

When John Britt wrote his Educational Tumbler Series, monthly listing, and his HOACGA Educational Series II book, he used the Long Buttress tumbler to illustrate his Portland Tumbler article. Major differences exist and it must be noted that Portland was manufactured by U.S. Glass Co. Identification of this tumbler is supported by photos from a manufacturer's catalog.

Note: As is the case with many yet unidentified tumbler examples, evidence of manufacture is conflicting, at best. That should not prevent enjoyment of the glass.


HOBSTAR BAND 5.5 in. Berry Bowl Whimsied-sold for less than $50.on eBay. 3.75 in. tall x 4 in. opening. Courtesy Tammy Murphy.	HOBSTAR BAND Sugar Bowl Base.

We present this update, following notification from Paul Kirk in late Aug. 2008 concerning his most recent research indicating the pattern to have been made by Lancaster Glass, with a pattern name: Orizaba/Hobstar Band. (Orizaba) is the name of a city in Mexico. Perhaps they were/are being made in Mexico for Lancaster Glass, located in OK, in recent years.

We all know that molds have a way of changing hands, so with the emergence of this green spooner, which is not known to have been produced in the much earlier line by U.S. Glass, it is quite possible that Lancaster is currently, or has in recent times, produced this color using the original molds.

McKee Glass has also been suggested as producer of this pattern as well. However, the pattern does not appear in the Complete Book of McKee Glass by Sandra McPhee.

Having seen a picture of the Celery Vase found in the Mexican factory catalog, we note variations away from the original design, such as smooth handles and the absence of a collar base.

We continue to maintain the concept that the earlier “turn of the century” examples in the typical amber-marigold (Honey Amber) were produced by U.S. Glass. (These Hobstar Band examples can be seen by reviewing U.S. Glass - Part 5.)

The two table pieces, sugar and whimsied small bowl are not familiar in the “vintage” category of the pattern. Perhaps these fall into the reproduction area as well? Anytime such information is presented, there are those who will take sides pro and con. Collectors can decide this issue for themselves. Many times such issues can be settled by agreeing to disagree.

HOBSTAR BAND Bowl: Only two such 9” bowls have sold at auction between 1996 and 2006, affirming their rarity. This one offers the (star) design within the marie which appears on the base of the spoon holders and compotes seldom found in this pattern. The color can be termed honey amber, placing this piece among the vintage U.S. Glass production.

#317 Compote: Among the items sold by Seeck Auctions for the March 2009 Convention/San Diego & Southern CA Clubs. We will go with the identification of this compote until such time as more information surfaces surrounding this never-before-seen example. Should any of our viewers have more to contribute, we certainly will be happy to hear from you.

Beloved, I now write to you….that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior, knowing this first; that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.”

But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise….but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.

Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of person ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. (2 Peter 3:1-13)