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Northwood - Part 11
NORTHWOOD - Part 11
 
Herbie Griffin sent these two photos of his 13.25 in. tall x 4.75 in. base, with 6 in. top opening.Marigold over Milk Glass Mid-Size TREE TRUNK Vase.Milk Glass Base on the TREE TRUNK.
Left: - Herbie Griffin sent these photos of his vase - 13.25 in. tall x 4.75 in. base, with 6 in. top opening.
Middle: - Marigold over Milk Glass Mid-Size TREE TRUNK Vase.
Right: - Milk Glass Base on the TREE TRUNK.

TREE TRUNK  Mid-Size Vase: Realizing full-well that marigold over custard glass takes on a yellow appearance, we ask you to consider that IF, after more than 50 years since the search for carnival glass began, the first “so-called” peach opal Peacocks bowl with pie-crust edge can be accepted as “part of the factory-made flock”, then surely you will also accept this Tree Trunk Mid-size vase as being marigold over milk glass! No, your finger cannot be seen through the glass. Herbie describes it as “swirley white, not solid” with the rim solid white and the Northwood trademark on the inside bottom.

A photo in the Harry Northwood-The Wheeling Years-1901-1925 shows an Ivory (custard glass) mid size with marigold overlay, and refers to opaque as being opal (milk glass), but in carnival glass terminology, that does not take into account (moonstone), which allows the finger to be seen through the glass. Milk glass does not offer that effect.

Although not listed among known colors in the flanks of Northwood production, there is no reason to discount its quite recognizable white appearance. When Herbie Griffin sent his pictures to us for assessment, we told him he is a very fortunate man to have happened upon this extreme rarity. Since some marigold over custard examples have sold for at least $10,000 in the past, this so-far-one-of-a-kind is worth at least that OR MORE!  A most enviable “find” in an old barn!

 
9 in. PEACOCKS PCE Bowl. 1st known in P.O. April 2008 .
9 in. PEACOCKS PCE Bowl. 1st known in P.O. April 2008.
 
PEACOCKS Ribbed Exterior in P.O.
PEACOCKS Ribbed Exterior in P.O.

PEACOCKS PCE Bowl…………in Peach Opal!!??  Oh Really!? Where do you suppose this has been? To all outward appearances, it looks new! With so few (old and distinctly) TRUE MINT green Peacocks (bowls) out and about, doesn’t it seem illogical that dozens of those “ice green” plates are available? Many have lots of inner bubbles floating around since being made in a St. Louis area garage many years ago, (an honest-to-goodness MINT green bowl which we have handled can be considered RARE!).

The bowl we mention was loaned to us by Wesley Strain, so that we could compare the differences in that and those newer ice green plates. Wes’ bowl was borrowed (in the late 70s), by another local collector in St. Louis. When he did not return it in timely fashion, Wes went in search of it, locating a garage where he discovered that the man had made a pattern copy, preparing to produce the plates. Collectors certainly have evidence to the fact that anytime those ice green plates come up for sale, the price over 30 years has remained at somewhere between $325 and $425, generally speaking!

We feel that “of late”, the mold may have made the loop across the Atlantic, landing in England for “another trial run”, this time to send a “new color” back to the U.S. to create yet another “track record” out of reach of the intra-state and inter-state trade laws, now in place. We should have learned never to under-estimate the power of planning a source of great monetary reward!

Just how many more peach opal pieces will be added to the already huge flock of those birds? Perhaps that remains to be seen? This first example made it’s “debut” at the April 2008 HOACGA Convention. We all know that the status of any “one-of-a-kind” does not remain such for very long before a second and third enter the scene!

ANYTIME there is no history revealed surrounding a “find”, a huge red warning flag should fly in the face of it!

 
P.O. Strawberry Bowl

STRAWBERRY Bowl………in Peach Opal!!?? Another peach opal bowl in a pattern where none of that color have been found in 100 years?? Here is another example of current creativity, we believe. Since the recent Peacocks bowl in peach opal found an expensive new home, why not give another pattern the same opportunity?? Do you think that is the reasoning behind use of these molds today, in the hands of whomever and wherever that source may be? Sold over eBay in late July 2008 to a well-known carnival glass dealer for $1191., you can bet that the next sale price you hear of will be at least double that! And what do you suppose the next “first of a kind pattern………and color” will be?

 
N. SMOOTH RAYS BonBon in Amethyst..
Northwood SMOOTH RAYS BonBon in Amethyst.
 
Blue SMOOTH RAYS- 6.5 in.-7.5 in. diam. Reserve not met-eBay, 7-08
Blue SMOOTH RAYS- 6.5 in.-7.5 in. diam. Reserve not met-eBay, 7-08.
 
SMOOTH RAYS Berry in (Rare) Aqua Opal. $4700.-3-08 Seeck Auction.
SMOOTH RAYS Berry in (Rare) Aqua Opal. $4700.-3-08 Seeck Auction.

SMOOTH RAYS:  Just another “ho-hum” pattern you may say, since Fenton, Dugan, Northwood, Imperial and Westmoreland each made a version of this pattern, but pause to consider how many of these Northwood Smooth Rays you have seen in Aqua Opal, or for that matter, how many auctions come and go without an amethyst N. Smooth Rays bonbon?? Ah-HA! The Northwood trademark is present on their examples. It is one of their earliest iridized efforts dating to 1908-1910 time period. Butler Brothers Wholesale Catalog Assortments illustrate shapes in this pattern.

Considering that carnival glass is into its 100th year; to say nothing of the thousands of people who have scoured every nook and cranny on the face of this earth over the past 50+ years, during that time, does some skepticism enter your rationale? We firmly believe it should! Molds have been sold several times over. They are in the hands of enterprising and skillful producers the world over. Art glass studios with updated equipment and capabilities for iridizing, exist in Europe, South America, along with known locations within the U.S. in MO, OH, OR and NC, Northern Cal., and WV.

After all they are in the business of making money. The only requirement is an order from an informed and knowledgeable customer about some “yet unknown color, in a given pattern—certain to create a sensation!” Once that “first known rarity” has sold for a handsome sum, what next on the agenda??

Advertised as the only one known, a cobalt blue 7” bowl appeared in the May 3 Wroda Auction held at Keystone Convention. In early July 2008, sale of one such 7” flared bowl failed to meet the reserve in an eBay sales attempt. If any of our viewers know of other berry bowls in blue, we should like to hear from you!
    
Berry sizes of  9”-10” and 5”-6” ruffled, are known in amethyst, marigold and green…….RARELY (if ever before) in aqua opal or blue.

Bonbon, two-handled: found in marigold, amethyst, green, cobalt blue and lime green

Compote: marigold, amethyst, green, cobalt blue and lime green

Hat shape: marigold, amethyst and green
    
Plate, 6”: marigold, amethyst and green    

 
Orig. Jewel T box for Concave Diamonds Water Set. Courtesy Seeck Auctions.
Orig. Jewel T box for Concave Diamonds Water Set.
Courtesy Seeck Auctions.
 
CONCAVE DIAMONDS Lidded Water Set in Celeste Blue
CONCAVE DIAMONDS Lidded Water Set in Celeste Blue.
 
CONCAVE DIAMONDS Tankard and Tumbler in Vaseline.
CONCAVE DIAMONDS Tankard and Tumbler in Vaseline.

CONCAVE DIAMONDS  Update:  Evidence presented indicates that the “Blue Iridescent”, as Northwood called this set, was either given as a “premium”, or sold outright by the Jewel Tea Company.

Seeck Auctions sold the longtime collection of Joe and Shirley Williams in May 2008. The collection included the complete set of Concave Diamonds seen in the photograph. This is the first indication that at least the blue sets were apparently produced for use by the famous door to door vendor. Pitcher, lid, tumblers and coasters all fit into the box shown here.

Begun in Chicago in 1899, Jewel Tea Headquarters moved to Jewel Park-Barrington, IL in 1930. Their salesmen were active from 1901-1981.  Their coffee was quite delectable, and their services were still available in Parkersburg, WV in 1969, when we moved to San Diego. Dean’s Mother purchased a great deal of their Leaf pattern china over the years, which is a collectable in its own right today!

Northwood went out of business in 1925, which would have been at the height of distribution for the “stretch-type” iridescent ware, such as this pattern offers.

1917 had been the introductory year for this line of “satin sheen” including guest sets, vases and pickle castor. Most were in pastel colors with names we do not follow in today’s collecting. Celeste blue was called Venetian blue, and the other color in the covered tankard water sets was known as Topaz Yellow. We call it Vaseline. Since there are some russet (olive green) tumblers, there may be a tankard out there somewhere?

Footnote: You will find another write-up on Concave Diamonds pattern in our Northwood -  Part 6 segment. However, this photo offers a much clearer perspective of the water set. At that time, we had no clue as to a possible promotional sales advantage in connection with Jewel T.

Dean & Diane Fry – 7/10

Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus,
by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is,
His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God,
let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith,
Having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.
And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,
not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some,
but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.    
(Hebrews 10:19-25)

Should you care to contact the Frys, their email address is:

dndn74@embarqmail.com



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