Pair of Amber Glass Bucket Ashtrays, Vintage Ashtray, Personal Ashtray, Kitsch

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Seller: horsecavetpke ✉️ (567) 98.2%, Location: Madison, Wisconsin, US, Ships to: US & many other countries, Item: 144798617342 Pair of Amber Glass Bucket Ashtrays, Vintage Ashtray, Personal Ashtray, Kitsch. In the world of handcrafted colored glass, Fenton Art Glass stands in a class by itself. Maybe you’ve found Carnival glass or milk glass collectibles at a local estate sale. If so, you have firsthand knowledge of how beautiful Fenton Art Glass pieces can be. Pair of Amber Glass Bucket Ashtrays, Vintage Ashtray, Personal Ashtray, Kitsch This cool set of ashtrays are shaped like buckets or water pales. One is finished lovely golden amber glass color and the other a striking emerald green. Each has a circular makers mark on the bottom but I am not able to identify it.  Each of the personal ashtrays are 2" tall. Shipped with USPS Priority Mail Service

**Please note all sales are final.  There are no returns, trades, or exchanges permitted. Please review photos closely as they are part of the item description.  Described to the best of my abilities. Feel free to message me for additional details.  The winning buyer is asked to please make payment within 3 days of winning this sale.  Thank you!

When the French National Library airbrushed the cigarette out of Jean-Paul Sartre’s hand in a 2005 poster of the iconic, chain-smoking philosopher, you knew it was only a matter of time. This February, France joins a growing number of jurisdictions that have implemented far-reaching smoke-free legislation—including such unusual suspects as Cuba (after Fidel Castro gave up cigars in 1986) and Hong Kong (which has temporarily exempted mah-jongg parlors and a few other places). But while the current antismoking phenomenon may appear unstoppable, a look back reveals that tobacco bans are hardly new—and rarely permanent. Here are some of the earlier smoke-free movements in history.  1624: On the logic that tobacco use prompts sneezing, which too closely resembles sexual ecstasy, Pope Urban VIII issues a worldwide smoking ban and threatens excommunication for those who smoke or take snuff in holy places. A century later, snuff-loving Pope Benedict XIII repeals all papal smoking bans, and in 1779, the Vatican opens its own tobacco factory.  1633: Sultan Murad IV prohibits smoking in the Ottoman Empire; as many as eighteen people a day are executed for breaking the law. Murad’s successor, Ibrahim the Mad, lifts the ban in 1647, and tobacco soon becomes an elite indulgence—joining coffee, wine, and opium, according to a historian living under Ibrahim’s reign, as one of the four “cushions on the sofa of pleasure.”  1634: Czar Michael of Russia bans smoking, promising even first-time offenders whippings, floggings, a slit nose, and a one-way trip to Siberia. By 1674, smokers are deemed criminals subject to the death penalty. Two years later, the smoking ban is lifted.  1646: The General Court of Massachusetts Bay prohibits citizens from smoking tobacco except when on a journey and at least five miles away from any town. The next year, the Colony of Connecticut restricts citizens to one smoke a day, “not in company with any other.” Though some statutes remain on the books for decades, enforcement diminishes, and by the early 1700s, New England is a major consumer and producer of tobacco.  1891: Angered by the shah’s generous tobacco concession to England, Iranians protest widely, and the Grand Ayatollah Haji Mirza Hasan Shirazi issues a fatwa banning Shiites from using or trading tobacco. The tensions spark the Tobacco Rebellion—the culmination of a long-standing confrontation between Iran’s shahs and its clergy over foreign influence. The following year, once the country’s business dealings with the Brits are revoked, Iran’s Shiites happily resume smoking.  1895: North Dakota bans the sale of cigarettes. Over the next twenty-six years, fourteen other statehouses, propelled by the national temperance movement, follow suit. Antismoking crusader Lucy Gaston announces her candidacy for president in 1920—the same year Warren G. Harding’s nomination is decided by Republican Party bosses in a “smoke-filled room.” By 1927, all smoke-free legislation—except that banning the sale of cigarettes to minors—is repealed.   1942: Adolf Hitler calls tobacco “the wrath of the Red Man against the White Man, vengeance for having been given hard liquor,” and directs one of the most aggressive antismoking campaigns in history, including heavy taxes and bans on smoking in many public places. The country’s antismoking movement loses most of its momentum after the Nuremberg trials, and by the mid-1950s, domestic consumption exceeds prewar levels.

My maternal grandparents kept a pewter-lidded urn on their coffee table which widened from its base, like hands spread in offering. On top was an inlaid white-stone knob for lifting. The interior was filled with neatly lined single cigarettes. A large Chinese bowl in their library was heaped with packs of L&M cigarettes. The packs were red and white, wrapped in cellophane. At dinner, beside lit candles in tall silver holders, sat little crystal cups sprouting cigarettes, like pencils in a jar. I would like to say that their home is why I started smoking, although it is not.  I enjoyed watching people smoke in old noir films—detectives in fedoras and glamorous actresses in sparkling evening gowns—particularly Bette Davis. Sharp black-and-white images behind a haze of gray smoke created a sense of mystery.  My grandfather told me that cigarettes cost a nickel a pack when he was a boy. When I started buying them (from machines rather than over the counter, because I was underage), they cost thirty-five cents. A quarter and a dime inserted in the slot, followed by the satisfying plop of the pack in the bottom tray.  As a teen-ager, I practiced French inhaling and blowing smoke rings in front of the bathroom mirror. I had a knack.  My mother—who quit smoking the day the Surgeon General issued the first warning—had been offered her first cigarette in an elegant restaurant by her father. A rite of passage. By the time I was grown, she disapproved of smoking. She told me that a single ember could hide in a couch cushion and ignite hours later, when the family was asleep. I often ran cigarette butts under the faucet.  In the early seventies, when I was still in high school, I became pregnant, much to my family’s chagrin. In the hospital for my son’s birth, my roommate and I smoked up a storm. We both had ashtrays on our bedside tables. The nurses emptied them frequently, like dutiful barmaids. My roommate felt superior to me because she was in her thirties, while I was still a teen-ager. She already had experience as a mother—to boys, although she proclaimed herself happy to finally have a girl, and to not have to see only “boy parts.” She would dance her naked girl infant around the bed, a cigarette dangling from her mouth. She told me that she knew her current husband was better than most men, because when they were dating he easily could have raped her and didn’t. I didn’t tell her that I found her standards rather low. Nor did I tell her that she could think what she wanted, because I had not actually started my real life yet; I was paused between lives, like one long cigarette break.  I was told that my maternal grandfather had a heart attack upon hearing the news of my pregnancy. He had a stroke, went into a coma, and later died. I’m sure I was part of the reason and have always felt the burden of guilt, but his three-pack-a-day habit since childhood probably also contributed.  During my first marriage, at night, if I ran out of cigarettes—my husband at work, my baby asleep in the crib—I would scour the ashtrays for butts long enough to light. If I ran out of matches, I would light the frayed butt on an electric coil of the stove, tiny strands of ash catching fire and floating up.  I liked the feel of smacking a new pack against the palm of my hand, compacting the tobacco, like a pro, along with the anticipation of pulling back the tiny red tab and unwinding the red line.   The Epic Promise of Wedding Vows   Once, when my son was probably about four, we were hurrying down Route 91, my son and I. As usual, he stood sentry between the bucket seats, watching the road ahead. Finished with my cigarette, I crammed it into the crowded ashtray. Instead of being extinguished, it ignited the other butts, creating a little inferno, flames licking the radio. Amid speeding trucks, we pulled over to the berm and dumped out the fireball. Part of the melted dashboard was permanently disfigured.  After my first divorce, I visited a friend in New York City who took me to the Rainbow Room. Waiters rushing to light my cigarettes seemed the height of sophistication.  I started with Marlboro Reds, then Parliaments (the ones with hard little tube filters attached), then back to Marlboros. Winstons in a pinch. Never menthol. I ended with Merits in the yellow-and-white packs. In between, I took a detour into Virginia Slims, the feminist cigarette. “You’ve come a long way, baby.”  In graduate school, everyone smoked in the creative-writing workshops. Pity the person with asthma who wanted to be a writer.  I remember considering it unreasonable to have to wait for takeoff in a plane before one could light up. I loved that one could smoke in movie theatres in London.  When I started teaching at a private college, everyone smoked in the classroom. People used the ashtrays on the seminar tables, but in the hallways—despite some standing ashtrays—the gray industrial carpeting was speckled with black holes where people had ground out their cigarettes with their shoes.  I knew it was time to quit smoking when I could not get through a bath or a shower without a cigarette. Smoking in the tub is about as pleasurable as reading in the tub. Compare stippling the pages with water spots, unable to put your arms down, with balancing an ashtray on the rim of the tub, unable to put one arm down.  I began smoking again after my second divorce. I met my third husband while I was smoking a thin brown Tiparillo. Though he never smoked, he said he found the act intriguing. I was thirty-seven. No one in his family smoked, though his mother had smoked briefly during her pregnancy with him, her doctor recommending it to calm her nerves. When he and I moved into a newly renovated house together, he banned smoking inside. He might have saved my life. It was so unpleasant to smoke by myself on the porch on windy Chicago nights that I eventually quit for good. The act became too socially unacceptable to ever restart.  On a recent trip to Scotland, I saw that their packs of cigarettes have gruesome photographs of physical defects or diseases caused by smoking—mouth cancer, throat cancer, even impotence (a photo of a male crotch with the penis burned out). They aim to eliminate smoking nationwide by 2034; they might have a chance, because unlike the U.S. they have no real remaining tobacco industry.  My grandmother had emphysema when she died. Several of my older friends who continued smoking after forty have lung cancer or have died from it. My grandparents’ pewter container sits on my coffee table now, full of tightly wrapped cough drops, waxy paper twists at both ends. I sometimes study the carved white-stone knob. The image is chipped and worn, but I think it might have been an owl, a symbol of both wisdom and warning.

Jeannette Bottle Works began operation in the late 1880s in Jeannette, Pennsylvania. In 1898 the company became Jeannette Glass Company. Like so many other glassware entities, this one concentrated on utility glass early on and produced a vast selection of handmade bottles, jars, and dishware well into the early 1900s.   The company expanded production to prism glass in 1917. Prism glass was incorporated in both business and residential structures to increase light exposure. This division of the company was sold in the mid-1920s. Improvements made to the factory during this period, however, included converting it to a pressed glass facility. This change allowed the company to later produce the Depression-era kitchen glass and dinnerware for which they are best known.  FEATURED VIDEO Learn the Rising Card Trick Depression Glass Days Jeannette Glass Company, one of the seven major companies producing Depression glass, introduced 14 collectible patterns during the period from 1928 through 1938, according to an article by Joyce E. Krupey published online by the National Depression Glass Association. Among these are the ever-popular Adam and Iris & Herringbone patterns. Other Jeannette patterns include Hex Optic, Cube (also known as Cubist), Floral, Sierra, Doric, Sunflower, Windsor, Doric & Pansy, Swirl, Homespun, and Sunburst. A number of children's dish sets in various patterns were made as well. Jeannette also manufactured the Cherry Blossom pattern, which is being singled out here because it has been widely reproduced. Select pieces of Iris & Herringbone in crystal have also been reproduced in clear. Ruby Lane's "Real or Repro" site (realorrepro.com) is a good resource for identifying these reproduced pieces. Colors used in Jeannette's Depression glass vary from the traditional pink, green, and clear to a more uncommon teal blue-green color called ultramarine. They manufactured not only dinnerware patterns in these colors but a wide array of kitchen glassware as well. Their ribbed kitchenware pattern known as Jennyware was made in pink, clear, and ultramarine. Jeannette also produced kitchen glass and a limited amount of dinnerware in opaque Jadite and Delphite glass.  The mark indicating a piece was made Jeannette Glass Company included a capital J enclosed by either a square or a triangle, and sometimes alone. The J is sometimes is reversed on the bottom of the piece, but appears normally when seen through the bottom of a tumbler, goblet or ice cream glass. Many pieces of Jeannette glass were not marked but can be easily identified by the distinctive patterns as noted above.  Contribution to the Milk Glass Market During the 1950s Jeannette introduced Cameo Glassware consisting of "exquisite traditional styling in gleaming milk white," according to a catalog page published in the Collector's Encyclopedia of Milk Glass by Bill and Betty Newbound. Competing with many other companies, their bowls, compotes and covered dishes looked similar to those made by Westmoreland and Fenton, although Jeanette's milk glass wares were nowhere near as plentiful in terms of the quantities produced in varied patterns.  Jeanette's most popular milk glass with collectors is the company's Shell Pink line. Made in the late 1950s for a short time, this collection incorporated many different patterns and mold shapes in pale pink milk glass. While Fenton, Fostoria, and Cambridge also had their versions of pink opaque glass similar to this, Jeanette's Shell Pink comes to mind most often when collectors refer to mid-century milk glass with a rose tint.  Ending an Era in Glass Production Jeannette Glass Company hit a low point in production during World War II but bounced back in the mid-1940s when the war ended. They purchased the McKee Glass Division of Thatcher Glass Manufacturing in 1961 and were known to operate the "world's largest electric glass furnace for melting heat-resisting glass" in the early 1960s, according to information shared on Glassian.com.  In 1970, the company's name changed to Jeannette Corporation. They ceased production and closed the factory in 1983. 

The Jeannette Glass Company History (1887-1983) The Jeannette Bottle Works Company was established in 1887, in Jeannette, Pennsylvania. In 1898 the Jeannette Bottle Works company was succeeded by the Jeannette Glass Company and got its start producing hand made bottles. With the advent of the O’Neill semi-automatic bottle blowing machine in 1899, Jeannette soon found itself producing wide mouth jars, relishes and other useful pressed glass items like automobile headlamp lenses. By 1904 the company was involved in producing items for medical and home use. Jeannette continued to grow and expand, and by 1924 they began producing lovely table and kitchenware. This innovative company was one of the forerunners in producing the machine made, colored pressed glassware, we collect today. Many of the Depression Glass patterns that we know and love were produced by the Jeannette Glass Company. Some of the more popular patterns produced were Adam, Anniversary, Cherry Blossom, Doric, Doric and Pansy, Floral Poinsettia, Floragold, and Iris.  Jeannette established its hold on the kitchen item market early in the Depression Era, designing and producing many kitchen items in pink, green, crystal, delphite, jadite and ultramarine. They were one of the major producers of Jadite and Delphite Glassware. Many of the most desirable Depression Glass kitchen items were made by The Jeannette Glass Company. In 1961 Jeannette bought the old McKee plant which was located in Jeannette and continued to produce glassware for both wholesale and retail businesses, until 1983 when they closed their doors.  Jeannette Patterns From the Depression Era Through the 1950s  Jeannette Adam Pink Adam Vase  Adam - (1932-1934) (Crystal, Delphite Green, Pink, Yellow) - Adam was a best selling pink and green Depression Glass pattern produced by the Jeannette Glass Company. Adam is a pretty stylized floral pattern. This pattern was made primarily in pink and green. A few pieces of Delphite and opaque yellow have been found. These pieces were experimental and make a nice addition to a collection, but there is not enough of either color to make a set. We have seen quite a few pieces of crystal over the last 40 years. You might be able to put together a small set of crystal, but it would be impossible to put much of it together. The Adam butter has been reproduced. The quality and color of the new butter dish cannot compare to the older Depression Glass butter dish. For more information click on the link to the right. Jeannette Adam    Jeannette Anniversary Butter Dish  Anniversary - (1947 - 1949)  (Crystal, Iridescent 1970's and later)( Shell Pink 1958-1959) - Anniversary is an interesting pattern produced by the Jeannette Glass Company in various colors from 1947 until 1975. Although Anniversary was introduced in the  1940's, many people lump Anniversary in with Depression Glass because it was listed that way in the first Depression Glass books, and because the pink color is the same hue that was used in Jeannette's earlier Depression Glass patterns. Since this pattern was produced for so many years, it has found it's way into many homes and is very popular today.  Recently, this pattern crystal vase with a frosted foot has bee seen in retail outlets with a "Made in India" label.  Jeannette Camellia Catalog AD  Camellia - (Late 1930s - 1951)  (Crystal, Iridescent, Gold Trimmed Crystal) - Camellia is a striking luncheon set that was introduced in the late 1930s and continued to be produced until the early 1950s  There is an embossed "Camellia" flower in the center area of each piece. This pattern was sold as a luncheon set, however the large 9" plate could easily be used as a dinner plate. Numerous bowls, plates, and trays can be found in this pattern, a snack plate with a matching cup, trays, tidbits, candlesticks, and a sugar and creamer were made.  Tom and Jerry sets in both crystal and iridescent may be found.  The Tom and Jerry set was made without the lettering and was sold with a 50s Deco metal stand to create a punch set.    Jeannette Pink Cherry Blossom Pitcher  Cherry Blossom - (1930-39) (Crystal, Delphite, Jadite, Green, Pink, Some Experimental Colors) - Cherry Blossom was produced by the Jeannette Glass Company. Cherry Blossom may be Jeannette's most collected Depression Glass pattern.  This pattern was made primarily in Pink, and Green and Delphite, although quite a few crystal pieces can also be found. Cherry Blossom is one the largest Depression Glass sets that was made in Delphite. Cherry Blossom is one of the few patterns that has a child's set. The child's set was made in the pink and delphite colors. Unfortunately, a poor quality reproduction of this entire miniature set in both colors has been on the secondary market for many years. Collectors should also be aware that reproductions of  other pieces in this pattern are prolific and many have been on the market since the late 1970's. Reproduced pieces include footed salt and pepper shakers, the covered butter dish, the footed water tumbler, cup and saucer, two handled tray, cake plate, dinner plate, cereal bowl, large round berry bowl and the divided oval tray. Since this is a fairly extensive list, collectors need to familiarize themselves with the differences between the old and new pieces. Jeannette Cherry Blossom Catalog Reprints and Lists  Cherry Blossom Catalog Pages PDF   Jeannette Green Cubist Puff Box  Cubist - (1929-1933) (Amber, Blue, Crystal, Green, Marigold Iridescent, Pink, White Milk Glass, Ultramarine, Yellow, Experimental Orange Slag) -  The Jeannette Glass Company produced Cubist. Cubist is found mainly in crystal, pink, and green, although you do find an occasional piece in the other colors listed above. Pitchers and tumblers are elusive and command a high price. Cubist is often confused with Fostoria's American pattern. Cubist items were mass produced, machine made Depression Glass while Fostoria's American pattern was hand made. Fostoria's pieces were refired and have a sheen, or shiny luster to them.   Jeannette Dewdrop Lazy Susan  Dewdrop - (1953- 1955) (Crystal) - This crystal Jeannette Pattern, from the mid 1950's was a very popular  luncheon set. The stylish 8" "Maple Leaf"  luncheon plate, and the combination snack trays, with an indent for holding a mug impressed friends and family.  The fact that this pattern had several unique and useful serving pieces is why many homemakers loved buyng and using Dewdrop. Very few luncheon sets from this time period had a revolving lazy susan, or a large punch bowl. Unique pieces like this helped to make this pattern a success.        Jeannette Doric Candy  Doric - (1930-39) (Crystal, Delphite, Green, Pink, Ultramarine, Yellow) - Doric was a very popular Depression Glass pattern in both green and pink.  It was produced by the Jeannette Glass Company during the 1930s.  This striking pattern is hard to find in good shape.  Sharp mold lines around the pattern edges were often damaged--even during production.  Pink and Green are the only colors in which one can complete a full set.  Delphite colored items were limited to serving pieces.  Hard to find pieces in pink and green include cereal bowls, cream soups (green only), and tumblers. Doric and Pansy (shown below), is a similar pattern.  It can be found in pink and collectors often use pink Doric and Pansy pieces with their pink Doric collections.    Jeannette Doric and Pansy Shakers  Doric and Pansy - (1937 - 1938) (Ultramarine, Pink, Crystal) - Ultramarine Doric and Pansy is very much like the Doric pattern shown above. In addition to the border of embossed squares in the Doric pattern, Doric and Pansy has an embossed pansy in every other square.  The vertical boxes above, or below the border, also have pansies embossed in them.  A complete setting of this pattern can found only in the Ultramarine color. Only a few pieces were made in Crystal and Pink. Jeannette marketed Doric and Pansy in both England and Canada.  It was extremely popular in these areas and more of it can be found overseas and in Canada. With the advent of internet selling more pieces of this lovely pattern began showing up on venues such as Etsy and Ebay.  It seemed for a time that there were plenty of the harder to find items to go around.  These pieces have since disappeared from the market place and the hard to find pieces are again something you will have to search to find.  Jeannette Iridescent Floragold Dinner Plate  Floragold - (1950s)(Crystal and Iridescent, Some Some Shell Pink Milk glass) - Floragold is one of the Jeannette Glass Company's most popular 1950s patterns. This lovely pattern was a full service dinnerware set. Most pieces of Floragold were mass produced and were reasonably priced, but some items such as the cereal bowls, ice tea tumblers, and vases were sold as extra pieces. These pieces were higher priced originally and not as many customers purchased them for their sets. They are harder to find as a result. Jeannette also experimented with this pattern and produced quite a few items that were never put into the regular line. These pieces include several compotes and a seldom seen butter dish. If you are lucky enough to find one of these rare pieces be prepared to pay a premium.   Jeannette Floral Poinsetta Rare Vase  Floral - (Poinsettia)-(1931-1935) (Black, Crystal, Custard, Delphite, Jadite, Pink, Red, Yellow) - Floral was named "Poinsettia by collectors before the company name was known, and the name is still used today.  This beautiful floral pattern came in an array of colors. While quite a few items came in Delphite, the only colors that you can complete a set in are pink and green. Floral was one of the larger Depression Era Sets produced by the Jeannette Glass Company. Some of the harder to find pieces include the lemonade pitcher, lemonade tumblers,  juice pitcher, flat juice tumblers, vases, and vanity items. Shakers have been reproduced in this pattern, but are of poor quality when compared to the real thing. The good news is that the footed shakers are the only item that have been reproduced.   Harp - (Crystal, Crystal with Gold Trim, Light Blue) - (1950s) - This pattern was dubbed Harp by collectors because of the pretty harp like musical design that decorates each piece.  Harp was used as a small luncheon or serving set.  Pieces include a footed cake stand, cups and saucers, coasters, ashtrays, and a 7" plate. Harp is another 1950s pattern that can be found in the Shell Pink Milk Glass line.  Jeannette Hex Optic Pitcher  Hex Optic (Honeycomb) - (1928 - 1932) (Green, Pink, Ultramarine, Iridescent) - The Hex Optic design was eye catching and popular among buyers during the 1930s.  As a result, many glass companies made a Hex Optic pattern.  Jeannette put a twist on their designs by incorporating them into a kitchen glassware line with an accompanying luncheon set.  They made a 10” sandwich plate in this pattern so if someone wanted to use the set as a dinnerware pattern it was possible. Some of the kitchen items that can be found in both Pink and Green include an ice bucket with a reamer top, a stacking leftover set, and mixing bowls.  Additional Information   Jeannette Holiday Pitcher  Holiday (Buttons and Bows) - (pink 1947-1949) (Crystal, Iridescent 1947-1975) ( Shell Pink 1958-1959)  - The Jeannette Glass Company produced Holiday and found that it was one of its most popular pink Depression Glass like patterns. It is listed in many  Depression Glass books, but was not introduced until 1947. This lovely pattern is moderately priced. Dinners, cups and saucers, serving pieces, pitchers and flat tumblers are easy to find. Harder to find items include the cake plate, footed tumblers, and large fruit or console bowl.    Jeannette Child's Homespun Set  Homespun - (Pink, Crystal, and some fired on colors) (1939-1949) - This lovely pattern of vertical lines with tiny vertical ribs is a creation of the Jeannette Glass Company.  Most pieces of Homespun have a waffle pattern in the bottom. Contrary to what was first believed, all pieces in this pattern do not have the waffle pattern present. Production of Homespun began in 1939.  Jeannette is one of the few companies that produced children's dishes (just like mothers) to go along with their Depression Glass Sets. Homespun has a matching child's set. A pitcher was made to go with the Homespun set. It looks identical to Hazel Atlas's Fine Rib patterned pitcher.  An original catalog reprint confirms that Jeannette did indeed make this pitcher and sold it with the Homespun pattern.   Jeannette Crystal Iris Candy Dish  ,Iris - (Crystal-1928-1932, Iridescent-1950s, Multicolored-1970s) - Jeannette started production of Iris in crystal during the Depression years. Later, in the 1950s, iridescent Iris was made. In the 1970's, flashed colors were produced. The iridescent candy bottom was also made during this time period. Quite a few pieces of crystal Iris have been reproduced by A & A Imports. Crystal dinner plates, flat tumblers, footed ice teas, and coasters have been made. At this time other items have not been remade.  Although these items can be told from the originals, it is difficult.  The detail in the glass and the clarity of the glass helps to identify the old from the new.   Jeannette National Giftware Ad  National Gift Ware  - (Late 1930s -1950s) (Crystal) -  National Gift Ware is a pattern that was introduced in the late 1930's.  We have an original glass ad from a Jeannette catalog from this time period.  National Gift Ware was a heavy vertical ribbed pattern.  Many, but not all of the pieces had tiny ringed circles in the bottom. Because of the heavy nature of the glass, this pattern was durable and not easily damaged. Pieces included a relish, a covered candy, a sugar and creamer, bowls of various sizes, pitchers, salt and pepper shakers, trays, a cigarette set, and vases.  This glassware was popular in both homes and eating establishments and remained in the Jeannette line for a good many years.   See More    Jeannette Pilgrim Catalog Page  Pilgrim (Thumbprint)  - (Late 1930s -1950s) (Ice Blue) (Crystal) (Crystal with Gold Decoration - Jeannette designed and produced  pieces in the Pilgrim pattern in the late 1930s.  Bowls, pitcher and  tumbler sets, stemware, and trays, were offered for sale in this interesting pattern of vertical spaced ovals.  The name "Thumbprint" immediately comes to mind. Almost every large glass company from this time period had their version of a Thumbprint pattern.  In the 1950s Jeannette used the Pilgrim molds in their  Shell Pink Milk Glass line. They renamed the pattern Thumbprint.  A small pitcher and tumbler set, goblets, and sherbets were offered for sale in this pretty color.   See More   Jeannette Shell Pink Punch Bowl  Shell Pink Milk Glass- (1958 - 1959) - In the late 1950s, pink milk glass became popular. Fostoria, Fenton, and Cambridge all had their versions of this color. The Jeannette Glass Company introduced Shell Pink in 1958 and discontinued this pretty color in 1959. Shell Pink Milk Glass was made in a variety of pieces which included a punch set, pitcher, tumbler, goblet, cookie jar, candlesticks, bowls, compotes, vases, a puff box, cigarette box, relish, snack set, honey jar, cake stand, lazy susan, creamer, sugar and lid, and a footed nut dish. Experimental items have been found which include an ashtray, the deer powder jar, and a large covered duck jar. Most of the pieces were made as accessory items to use alone or together. Jeannette used many different molds and patterns to put together this interesting assortment.  See More     Jeannette Sierra Butler Brothers Ad  Sierra (Pinwheel) - (1931 - 1933) (Green, Pink, Ultramarine) -  Sierra is a stylized pattern with sharp edges and vertical lines. The pinwheel scheme is embossed, which creates sharp edges on the surface of the glass.  The effect is beautiful, but due to the numerous uneven edges,  finding pieces of Sierra in undamaged condition is a challenge. The Pink ad Green colors are both popular, although finding green Sierra is a bit more taxing. The only piece of Sierra to have been found in Ultramarine is a cup, so if you are wanting to collect Jeannette's signature color, this pattern would not be for you.  If you are looking for a Deco Depression Era pattern in Pink or Green you will love this one.    Jeannette Sunburst 1940s Bowl AD  Sunburst - (Late 1930s -1940s ) (Crystal) - Sunburst was made by the Jeannette Glass Company in the late 1930's and 1940's.  Most of the pieces have the same mold shape as the Iris and Herringbone pattern listed above. Because of the similarity in shape, some Iris collectors buy pieces of the Sunburst design to use with their pattern.  The pattern gets its name from the starburst or sunray design that graces each piece.  Sunburst was available as a full service dinnerware set. It could be purchased as a 34 or 44 piece dinner set, or in a smaller luncheon set size.  Accessory pieces such as tumblers, and the bowl and candlesticks were offered for sale individually or in the larger sets.    Jeannette Green Sunflower Reamer Bottom  Sunflower - (1930s) - (Pink, Green, Delphite, Ultramarine, Experimental Colors) - Sunflower is a fairly large Depression Glass set that was made in the 1930's.  The shapes are very similar to Floral Poinsettia.  The only drawback to collecting this pretty pattern is the lack of serving pieces available.  There is no butter dish, platter, candy, or pitcher. Most people or not aware of the fact that Jeannette's 2 cup measuring cup often came with the Sunflower Motif in the bottom and that it was made to go with the set.   JeannetteSwirlUltraCreamSouplgSwirl - (1937- 1938) (Ultramarine, Pink, Delphite) -  Swirl or spiral patterns were popular during the Depression years and most major companies had their own version of a spiral pattern. The  Jeannette Glass Company produced a complete line of dinnerware with the swirl effect and named it aptly, Swirl. There are quite a few pink collectors, but Swirl was most popular in the Ultramarine color. Ultramarine was a deep turquoise blue color that Jeannette was famous for. The Ultramarine color had a tendency to vary in production.  Some pieces are almost a flat deep green color.  There are collectors for the deep rich Ultramarine color, and the more subdued "green."  When you are ordering from the internet you need to be sure that you know what color variation you are receiving.  Most dealers refer to the flat ultramarine color as green.  There are several experimental pieces that have been found in amber and ice blue.  This setting includes many serving pieces as well as a full size dinner plate. Some hard to find pieces are the candy dish, butter dish, and flat ice tea tumbler.   Jeannette Windsor Divided Tray  Windsor (1936-1946) - (Amberina, Crystal, Delphite, Green, Ice blue, Ruby) - Windsor was made by the Jeannette Glass Company. We have listed quite a few colors, but Windsor is commonly found in Crystal, Pink, and Green. You rarely find pieces of the other colors, and finding a complete set of any of them would be virtually impossible. Pink and Green seem to be the most collectible colors, however quite a few collectors look for crystal. Some hard to find items include cream soups, ice tea tumblers, and candlesticks.      Jeannette Glass Kitchenware Patterns and Colors  Delphite Ribbed Tea Canister  Delphite Jeannette (1930s - 40s) -  Jeannette made one of the largest lines of Delphite kitchenware during the depression years. The opaque blue color is stunning and captures the interest of people today as much as it did when it was made.  Several different syle canisters were made. A complete line of useful kitchen items such as reamers, leftover jars, and shakers were made to go with both canister styles. Cherry Blossom and Swirl, two of Jeannette's full service dinnerware sets were available in delphite.  Your entire kitchen area could be decorated in the Jeannette's beautiful Delphite color. The McKee Glass company also had a large line of Delphite kitchenware.  Today collectors mix McKee and Jeannette together to create a truly awesome collection. Jeannette Delphite Kitchen Items      Jeannette Green Embossed Salt Box  Green Transparent (Jeannette) (1930s) -The Jeannette Glass Company, made a large line of kitchenware in a pretty transparent green to match their Depression Glass dinnerware sets. Hex Optic which is a Jeannette luncheon set had an accompanying grouping of kitchen items to match in both green and pink.  Jeannette made kitchen ware pitchers, measuring cups, leftovers, covered salt and butter boxes, mugs, reamers, sugar shakers, ice buckets, and mixing bowls. They even made a leftover set with their famous Floral Poinsettia pattern embossed on the inside of the lid. Jeannette's green kitchenware was made to be used not only with Jeannette's Depression Glass sets, but also with any of their major competition's sets as well. The stylish designs insured that their products would be popular and appeal to many home shoppers. As a result, today it is still possible to add this pretty kitchenware to your kitchen decor.   Jeannette Jadite Floral Canister  Jadite Jeannette - (1930s) - Jeannette's Jadite, (sometimes spelled Jade-ite by other companies) came in two shades.  A dark jadite and a lighter one.  Jeannette's jadite colors were among the prettiest Jadite produced during the 1930's. Jeannette's Jadite Kitchenware line was one of the largest lines of jadite produced.  There were more pieces made in Jeannette's Jadite line than there were in their Delphite line.  The Jadite kitchenware had three different styles of canisters.  Many accompanying pieces were made to go with these canisters. A complete list of the pieces can be found on our other Jadite pages.  Many collectors of Jeannette's Jadite combine it with McKee's jadite kitchen items.     Jeannette Pale Yellow Sugar Shaker  Light Jade/Yellow (Jeannette) - (1930s) Most of the major Depression Era Companies had their version of yellow milk glass. The Jeannette Glass Company may have attempted to produce this color with their light jade (nearly yellow) paneled sugar shaker. Since this is the only light yellow piece that Jeannette made, it just may have been an occasional fluke in the composition of the glass used that day. However, other jade items are not found in this color which leads one to believe that the light yellowish color was intentional.  If so, it must not have created much interest among customers and Jeannette decided not to make other items in this color.     Jeannette Jenny Ware Bowl Set  Jenny Ware (Jeannette) - (1930s) (Crystal, Pink, Ultramarine) - Jeannette produced a very large line of kitchenware in a attractive patten called Jenny Ware.  This pretty ribbed pattern was made in crystal, pink, and ultramarine in the 1930s. The ultramarine color was designed to go with Jeannette's Ultramarine Depression Glass patterns. Pieces in this kitchenware pattern include a pitcher, tumblers, mixing bowls, round and rectangular leftovers, a butter, a reamer, and a four piece tab-handled measuring cup set. This is one of the nicest collections of transparent patterned kitchenware ever made. Jeannette was the only company to make an Ultramarine colored collection of kitchenware.    Jeannette Pink Salt Box  Pink Kitchen Glassware - (1930s) - Jeannette made many Pink Depression Era kitchen items.  They were an innovative company and added patterns to many of their kitchenware shapes. Most pink kitchenware will be found with a pattern.  Jenny Ware and Hex Optic patterns were very popular and sold well in the pink color.  Plain (non-patterned) kitchenware was made to use with the patterned kitchenware or with any Depression Era pattern.   

INDIANA GLASS COMPANY – MEMORIES AND POPULAR PATTERNS The early history of the companies and operations which became the Indiana Glass Company are confusing, convoluted and not terribly well documented!  Indiana Glass Company of Dunkirk IN, originally a part of Beatty-Brady Glass Company which was founded by James Beaty and George Brady in 1895, is known for some of its unique products and patterns. During this very early time, all products (the likes of glass lamps, vases and glass materials for domestic use) were hand blown. In October 1899 the partners sold their plant to the National Glass Company, which was a large conglomeration of nineteen different glass companies. Competition was keen in the glass making business, so these businesses pooled their resources to survive.  A National Glass Company man named Frank Merry was sent to head the Dunkirk plant, after this merger.  Eventually, Frank found he wanted to run a company of his own and he leased the local plant of National Glass in Dunkirk.  A few short years later, when the National Glass Company went into receivership after the 1907 “Banker’s Panic,” Frank had put himself in a position, along with a group of other businessmen, to purchase the Dunkirk plant and form the Indiana Glass Company. This acquisition made Indiana a leading producer of pressed and blown glassware at the time.  Frank Merry was president of the new company between 1909 and 1931 and in the early 1920s the company had annual sales of over $1,250,000 and employed 550 people.  THE INDIANA GLASS COMPANY WAS OFFICIALLY FORMED IN 1907, ACCORDING TO AN EARLY COMPANY LETTERHEAD. POPULAR PATTERNS OF THE EARLY INDIANA GLASS COMPANY YEARS : Produced while Indiana was a part of National Glass, starting from 1900 to 1930 (also known as “Early American Press Glass”) are the following patterns :  Horsemint  Sample of Pattern  Bethlehem Star  Pattern Sample  Panelled Daisy  Bird and Strawberry  Pattern Sample  Darling Grape  Silver Anniversary  Ferris Wheel (also known as Ruby Star)  Pattern Sample Image from indianaglass.carnivalheaven.com Garden Pink  Late Butterfly  Shooting Star  Pattern Sample Image from indianaglass.carnivalheaven.com  INDIANA GLASS COMPANY AND DEPRESSION GLASS While Indiana Glass is believed to be the longest producer of “Goofus Glass” – which is a whole other story that you may like to read about at Wikipedia – in these pages we want to know about the Indiana Glass Company‘s involvement with Depression Glass.  Example of Goofus Glass An example of early Indiana Glass Goofus Glass The story begins in 1923 when Indiana Glass introduced a pattern of glassware called Avocado, which is considered to be the very first Depression Glass Pattern.  Made for 11 years in four colors: green, pink, crystal and white milk glass, it is an Art Nouveau pattern luncheon and serving set comprised of 16 pieces and it is a great favorite among Depression Glass collectors.  POPULAR PATTERNS OF INDIANA DEPRESSION GLASS: Frosted Black – Produced in 1915, this pattern was a bit ahead of its time. Bright colours in intricate, block like patterns adorned the pieces. Common colours were crystal, light pink, uranium-yellow and light green.  Sweat Pear (Avocado) – Produced from 1923 – 1934, his was one of the first patterns created for genuine Depression glass. A couple of pairs atop a pile of leaves was the signature design in this pattern, and was of course, originally green. Other distinctive colours were produced as well, however, such as crystal and pink. The pattern was also produced on milk glass.  Horseshoe – also known as pattern No. 612. Produced during the Great Depression era of 1925 to 1940.  Bananas – Produced during the Great Depression era of 1925 to 1940.  Cracked Ice  Sandwich – “sandwich” pieces often had flowers in the middle surrounded by adornments. Scrolls, floral patterns and even dots could be seen around the centre.  Indiana Custard – Pieces often had a vine like pattern around the edges  Pyramid – also known as pattern No. 610. Produced during the Great Depression era of 1925 to 1940.  Hen on a Nest – Produced in the 1930s, these pieces were shaped like beaded hens sitting on patterned nests.  Hen on a Nest  Hen on a NestIndiana Glass Company Vernon – also known as pattern No. 616 Lorraine – Also known as pattern No. 615, this pattern was produced in 1929. This is one of the most high demand Indiana Glass pieces, adorned with floral designs.  Pineapple and Floral – also known as pattern No. 618. Produced during the Great Depression era of 1925 to 1940.  Old English – Produced during the Great Depression era of 1925 to 1940.  Tea Room – Produced during the Great Depression era of 1925 to 1940.  FEWER NEW GLASSWARE PATTERNS APPARENT DURING WARTIME : Like most glass making companies, for Indiana Glass Company, with the arrival of World War II came new priorities. Companies began to shift from pleasing the consumer to pleasing the country, and in an effort to play their parts in saving the world, they made some changes. Instead of producing fancy place settings for the common family, the glass companies began making things such as automobile headlights to use both at home and at war.  But the beautiful glass wasn’t forgotten in times of war. Shortly after the war ended, demand resumed, and restaurants began demanding a recent innovation: heat resistant milk glass. The glass was soon a staple in 1950s diners, and is still considered by many today to be a symbol for its time. In the United States, air conditioning was quickly becoming increasingly popular in the 1950s, and teenagers would flock to the diners for gatherings on hot afternoons, creating the all American image of the 50s diners that so many replicate today.  Popular Classic Glass (Produced from 1940 to 1970):  Christmas Candy  Teardrop  Daisy and Button  Orange Blossom  Garland  Magnolia  Wild Rose  Park Lane  Soon, however, demand began to slow for Indiana Glass Company, as it did for many in the industry shortly after their “big boom.” A few companies experienced continued interest that remained reliable, and those companies typically absorbed the ones that crashed. In 1957, Indiana became part of Lancaster Glass Company, and then became a part of a sister company, Colony Glass. The company continued to produce pieces until 2002, after the bankruptcy of a major seller at the time, Kmart.  You may like to view this informative and moving video :   Although, sadly, now no longer in operation, the Indiana Glass Company, through a number of acquisitions, mergers and major company changes, managed to be one of the few original producers of Depression glass to remain in production for so long.

Indiana Glass Company Indiana Glass nameplate.png TypePrivate company IndustryGlassware Founded1907 in Dunkirk, Indiana FounderFrank Merry Defunct2002 HeadquartersDunkirk, Indiana, USA Key peopleFrank W. Merry, Charles L. Gaunt Productspressed and blown glassware including lamp fonts, lamps and tableware Number of employees1,300+ (1979) Indiana Glass Company manufactured pressed, blown and hand-molded glassware and tableware for almost 100 years. Predecessors to the company began operations in Dunkirk, Indiana, in 1896 and 1904, when East Central Indiana experienced the Indiana gas boom. The start date for the company is considered 1907, when a group of investors led by Frank W. Merry formed a company to buy the Dunkirk glass plant that belonged to the bankrupt National Glass Company. National Glass was a trust for glass tableware that originally owned 19 glass factories including the plant in Dunkirk. National Glass went bankrupt in 1907, and its assets were sold in late 1908.  Indiana Glass Company mostly made tableware, lamps, and vases although it had additional products. Collectors consider the company a manufacturer of Depression glass, Goofus glass, and Carnival glass. One well known customer was the A&W drive-in chain that featured mugs of A&W Root Beer, and Indiana Glass was the original manufacturer of root beer mugs for that company. Another major customer was Kmart.  During 1957, Lancaster Lens Company acquired a controlling interest in Indiana Glass. Lancaster Lens Company was renamed Lancaster Glass Company, but Indiana Glass continued to be a separate entity. By the 1960s, a reorganization had Indiana Glass Company as a subsidiary of Lancaster Colony Corporation. Indiana Glass had a resurgence in sales during the 1970s, and began marketing some of its tableware for the home through Lancaster Colony's Tiara Exclusives. Indiana Glass continued operating in Dunkirk until November 2002, when the plant was closed. Although a glass plant owned by Lancaster Colony continued operating in Oklahoma under the name Indiana Glass Company, that plant was shut down in 2008.  Background See also: Indiana gas boom old map of Jay County, Indiana and adjacent area in Blackford County and Delaware County Eaton, Dunkirk, and Portland, Indiana During the late 1880s, the discovery of natural gas started an economic boom period in East Central Indiana. Gas was first found in Delaware County's town of Eaton and adjacent Jay County's city of Portland[1][2] Manufacturers were lured to the region to take advantage of the low cost fuel. Jay County, a rural county in East Central Indiana, had only 210 people working in manufacturing in 1880.[3] By 1900, the county had over 1,423 people employed at manufacturing plants that were mostly glass factories.[Note 1] East Central Indiana became the state’s major manufacturing center.[6]  Beatty-Brady Glass Company See also: List of Blackford County Glass Factories In 1895, the Pennsylvania Railroad built a large structure along its railing in Dunkirk, Indiana, close to the southeast corner of Blackford County but inside Jay County.[Note 2] The building was intended to be used for railroad freight car repair, but never used. In 1896, the building was sold to George Beatty and James Brady, who started the Beatty-Brady Glass Company.[9] By 1900, this glass plant employed 225 people, and their products were tableware.[4]  During 1888 through 1890, most glass factories in the United States had financial difficulty.[10] The United States had six economic contractions between 1880 and 1900.[11] Deflation was a problem, and the term depression has been used to describe that economic time instead of simply recession. A banking crisis occurred in 1893.[12] In addition to the difficult economic times, the Beatty-Brady Glass Company had more problems. During March 1899, George Beatty was arrested in Portland, Indiana, on six different complaints. All complaints were related to anti-union activity, and the action was said to begin "a big fight between organized and nonunion labor, and will be watched with interest all over the country..."[13] Shortly afterwards, the matter was forwarded directly to Indiana's Supreme Court.[14]  National Glass Company old advertisement from 1903 for a glass trust and its factories National Glass Company 1903 In November 1899, the Beatty-Brady Glass Company was sold to the National Glass Company, a glass tableware trust that started as 19 glass companies.[15] The National Glass Company factories were unionized, and their Dunkirk plant (Beatty-Brady Glass Company) became unionized January 1, 1900.[16] The National Glass Company had its own difficulties, and was in financial trouble by 1903.[10] Although it began with 19 factories, three had been dismantled by 1904. It also had three destroyed by fire (and not rebuilt), and had several that were left idle and not maintained. On January 22, 1904, it was announced that they would shrink their workforce and try a new way of operating—leasing their plants to others. Among the plants leased was the Dunkirk plant (the Beatty-Brady plant), and it was leased by Frank W. Merry.[17] The changes were made because the conglomerate had financial difficulties, and it sold or closed several of its glass plants to raise capital.[15] The Dunkirk lease was announced in Indianapolis as "a new organization...will now operate the Beatty-Brady glass factory heretofore controlled by the National Glass Company." The new company was named Indiana Glass Company, and was said to have capital stock of $125,000. ($125,000 in 1904 is equivalent to $3,600,463 in 2020.) Merry was president.[18] On February 10, the 250 men employed at the Dunkirk plant went on strike over issues with National Glass Company.[19] The issues between the National Glass Company and union employees were settled in two weeks, and work resumed.[20]  Beginning old photo of a dignified man with wire rim glasses Frank J. Merry Sources do not always agree on the start date for Dunkirk's Indiana Glass Company. An unrelated Indiana Glass Company existed from 1892 to 1896 in Indiana, Pennsylvania.[21] An Indiana Glass Works was inspected in Dunkirk in 1901, but its product was listed as bottles—and the Beatty-Brady Glass Company, a maker of tableware, was also inspected.[22] At the beginning of 1903, Frank W. Merry was sent by National Glass Company to Dunkirk to run the Beatty-Brady plant. Merry "helped promote the organization of the Indiana Glass Company" in Dunkirk in 1904, and he was elected president of the company.[23] The new company was announced in January 1904 when Merry leased the Dunkirk glass works owned by the National Glass Company.[18] The Indiana Department of Inspection listed Indiana Glass Company as having 256 employees in 1904, and its products were "pressed and blown glass". There was no Beatty-Brady Glass Company or Indiana Glass Works listed.[24] However, 1904 is not considered the start date for Indiana Glass, as most sources list 1907 as the start date for the company.[Note 3]  In 1907, National Glass Company defaulted on the interest payments for its bonds, and a bank brought suit for the foreclosure of mortgages that were used as security. National Glass went into receivership during December 1907.[29] During the year, Frank Merry and associates formed a company to buy the Dunkirk glass plant. The assets of National Glass were sold at auction during November 1908.[30] The purchase of the Dunkirk plant was final in 1909, and Frank Merry continued as president.[Note 4] The major stockholders were Frank Merry, Henry J. Batsch, Harold H. Phillips, Charles W. Smalley, Rathburn Fuller, and James E. Merry.[9] Management from this time until 1915 included James Merry as vice president, Phillips as secretary and treasurer, and Batsch as factory manager.[31]  In 1915, Smalley replaced James Merry as vice president. In 1916, Charles L. Gaunt replaced Phillips as secretary and treasurer.[31] The board of directors as of 1921 consisted of Frank Merry, Smalley, Gaunt, Batsch, and Fuller.[32]  Early operations old advertisement for Indiana Glass and its showrooms Indiana Glass Co. 1921 Natural gas was the original fuel used by glass factories in the Dunkirk area to heat their furnaces. However, this fuel, which is desirable for glassmaking because it can heat evenly, became depleted in the region by 1905. Indiana Glass used coal from West Virginia and Kentucky to make coal gas to use as their fuel for glassmaking. Dunkirk has a railroad line that crosses the town providing a transportation resource for coal and raw materials. Sand from Ottawa, Illinois, soda ash from Detroit mills, and lime from northern Ohio were major raw materials brought to Dunkirk for glass making.[33]  A trade magazine noted in 1916 that Indiana Glass had started "tank No. 3, which places this plant to operating at capacity."[34] In March, a "Daubinspeck" automatic tumbler machine was placed on tank number 3.[Note 5] Later in the year, it also noted that the company was again operating at full capacity and had many large orders for tumblers and table ware.[38]  In 1921, the Company was described as producing "pressed table glassware and lamps", and "cold color and fixed decorated glassware".[39] It had sample rooms for its products in major cities such as New York, Philadelphia, Boston, Baltimore, Chicago, St. Louis, St. Paul, and San Francisco.[40] A customer of the company's barware products that became well known was the chain of A&W Root Beer stands. Indiana Glass was a long time producer of mugs for A&W Root Beer.[41]  At the start of World War II, glass plants began making less glassware for the home and more for warfare such as lenses for aircraft, trucks, and naval vessels. Tableware production resumed in the 1950s, but demand was down.[42]  In 1953, Indiana Glass president Charles L. Gaunt announced that his company acquired a controlling interest in the Sneath Glass Company, which had been closed by a strike. The acquisition enabled the company to use Sneath's recipe for heat resistant glass—bolstering their large assortment of glassware products. At the time, Indiana Glass was considered a leader in barware, stemware, decorative crystal tableware, and novelties. Blown and pressed ware were manufactured by hand and machine.[27]  Making molded glassware diagram of a machine Glassware machinery Glass begins as a batch of ingredients (sand, soda, lime, and other ingredients) heated in a furnace.[43] The furnace heats the batch to a temperature as high as 3,000 °F (1,650 °C), which causes the batch to melt together and make molten glass.[44] For glass blown into a mold, a glass blower (human or machine) extracts a small gob of molten glass that is blown into, and shaped by, a mold. For machine made pressed glass, the molten glass moves to a machine that drops a precisely measured gob of glass into a mold. The mold moves away from the site of injection, and the glass cools. Dunkirk's Benjamin F. Gift received a patent in 1916 for a glassware making machine that received a gob of molten glass, then moved the mold away while allowing the glass to cool, then discharged the glassware from the mold.[45] When the partially cooled glass is extracted from the mold, it is placed on a glazer, where rough edges are smoothed and polished by flames.[Note 6] From the glazer, the product is placed on a lehr (a long conveyor inside an oven) where the glass is gradually cooled—a process called annealing. At the far end of the lehr, packers remove the glass and get it ready for shipping. In 1931, Indiana Glass employee Jeddiah B. Clark received a patent for an improved process for transferring molten glass (or gobs) to glass blowing or pressing machines.[47] He also received a patent in 1936 for the design of a revolving tray for holding containers inside a refrigerator.[48]  Lancaster Colony Corporation In 1957, the Lancaster Lens Corporation acquired controlling interest in Indiana Glass. Robert K. Fox, president of Lancaster Lens, became president of both companies. George M. Morton, Vice President of Indiana Glass, became Vice President of both companies.[49] A month later Lancaster Lens changed its name to Lancaster Glass Corporation. The new name was said to "give a more accurate definition" of the company's manufacturing activities.[50] Lancaster Colony Corporation was organized in Delaware in 1961 as a holding company.[51] By 1963, Lancaster Colony subsidiaries included four non-glass companies plus Indiana Glass, Lancaster Glass, and Bischoff Glass Company.[52]  Tiara Tiara Exclusives, a multi-level marketing company owned by Lancaster Colony, began on July 1, 1970. Glassware made by the companies owned by Lancaster Colony (including Indiana Glass), was sold via home parties—similar to the way Tupperware is marketed. Initially, Tiara was a success, providing part-time work for many homemakers. It employed 750 party-plan counselors by 1972.[53] The glassware sold through Tiara that was made by Indiana Glass was often produced using old patterns.[54]  Peak years By 1977, Indiana Glass was the fifth-ranking glassware producer in the country. It had sales of machine made glassware of about $36 million, and employed over 1,000 people at its Dunkirk facility.[55] When Lancaster Colony tried to acquire Federal Glass Company in 1977 to merge with Indiana Glass, the Federal Trade Commission was opposed because of concern that a merger "may substantially lessen competition and tend to create a monopoly."[55] At its peak in 1979, the Dunkirk facility employed about 1,300 people, and also had a plant in Sapulpa, Oklahoma.[56]  Decline Low-priced glassware imports were a problem for the domestic glassware producing industry. In 1986, Indiana Glass closed one of its Dunkirk facilities because of competition from imports. About 200 employees lost their jobs and received trade adjustment assistance and training from the federal government. Some of the increased competition was the result of the Caribbean Basin Initiative and the Israel–United States Free Trade Agreement, which caused a huge increase in glassware imports.[57] Indiana Glass was the third largest domestic producer of glassware, but became troubled financially. Near the end of the year, it employed about 600 people.[56]  Lancaster Colony Corporation, which reincorporated in Ohio effective January 2, 1992, had multiple businesses. Its Glass and Candles segment accounted for 27 percent of its net sales for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1994. Indiana Glass and Tiara were important trademarks for the company at that time.[51] Tiara was discontinued November 1998.[58] The closing of Tiara had a negative impact on sales for 1999.[59] By 2002, the Glassware and Candles segment for Lancaster Colony had declining revenue for three years in a row, and experienced some losses due to the bankruptcy filing of Kmart Corporation.[60]  Products Indiana Glass Company had many glass patterns, and is considered by collectors to be a manufacturer of Depression Glass.[28] The company was also a manufacturer of what collectors call Goofus glass, which was cheaply made glass with painted decorations. A third category of glassware associated with the company, also very low cost, is called Carnival glass.[61] The company also made barware. In 1919, Indiana Glass began making a 10 ounce beer mug. This mug was used by A&W for root beer at its A&W Root Beer stands. In the early 1920s, Indiana Glass introduced a child-sized mug that held 3.5 ounces and was used by A&W for children.[41]  Some of the more well-known Depression Glass patterns are Avocado, Indiana Custard, Pyramid, Sandwich, and Tea Room. Avocado is the name used by collectors for the Indiana Glass pattern number 601.[62] It was originally made from 1923 to 1933 in crystal, green, and pink. The pattern is sometimes called Sweet Pear because the "avocado" design actually looks more like a pear.[63] The pattern was revived, using 15 new colors plus pink and green, for the company's products sold through Tiara Exclusives in the 1970s through 1990s.[Note 7]  Indiana Custard is the collector name for Flower and Leaf Band ware that was made from the 1930s to the 1950s. The pattern was used for coffee sets (bowl, cup and saucer, platter, sugar, creamer) using an opaque glass of custard color with decorated bands. A milk glass version was called Orange Blossom.[64]  Pyramid is a pattern name used by collectors for the Indiana Glass pattern number 610. This pattern was made from 1926 to 1932. In 1974 and 1975, reproductions were made using black and blue glass that had not been used earlier for this pattern.[65] The black or blue reproductions were made for Tiara Exclusives and used in homes.[66] The original Pyramid products were intended for commercial use, but were also used in homes. This pattern had angular designs considered avant-garde during the late 1920s, while most pressed glass from that time featured floral patterns.[67]  The Sandwich pattern, Indiana Glass version, was made from the 1920s through the 1980s. (Anchor Hocking also had a Sandwich pattern.) For certain colors, the color of the glass for this pattern can be used to approximate the decade the glass was made.[68] Tiara Exclusives was selling the Sandwich pattern in 1980.[69]  Tea Room is another pattern intended for commercial use, but also used in homes. Like Pyramid, it had an angular design considered avant-garde for the late 1920s.[67] The pattern was marketed for use in tea rooms, ice cream parlors, and soda fountains.[70] Tea Room was made only from 1926 to 1931. However, its art deco appearance has made it popular with collectors. The Tea Room dinner sets were made in crystal, amber, green, and pink glass.[71]  End Members of the American Flint Glass Workers Union went on strike at the Indiana Glass plant in Dunkirk on October 8, 2001.[72] At the time, the country was experiencing a small recession.[73] Negotiations for a new labor agreement were still ongoing by mid-December, and several confrontations between workers and company guards happened during the strike.[72] The strike lasted three months. Production was restarted, but did not last long. Lancaster Colony ceased production at the Dunkirk factory of Indiana Glass during November 2002. About 240 workers immediately lost their jobs.[74] The reason for the shutdown was economic—business had been down over the last three years. Lancaster Colony owned another glass plant in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, and considered that plant as part of Indiana Glass.[75] After the shutdown at the Dunkirk facility, production continued at the Sapulpa plant under the Indiana Glass name.[76]  Glassmaking ends In 2006, the activist hedge fund Barington Capital Group began an effort to force Lancaster Colony to eliminate its glassmaking business. In addition, it wanted the debt-free company to take on debt so it could buy back some of its stock. By 2007, Barington (which owned 5.2 percent of Lancaster Colony) began to achieve its goal. Lancaster Colony closed its Lancaster Glass plant and its Indiana Glass plant in Oklahoma. In October, the company announced that it would buy back two million shares of its stock by June 2008.[77]

Kemple Glass from the Glass Encyclopedia John and Geraldine Kemple met during the war, and formed their glass company in 1945. John was a fifth generation glassmaker and Geraldine owned a gift shop when they met. They bought antique moulds most of which had originally been used to make pressed glass in imitation of clear cut crystal glass. They used these moulds to make milk glass reproductions from 1945 to 1970 (when John Kemple died). During the 1960's they also made coloured glass items from the same moulds, including various shades of yellow which they called by names such as "Light Amber" and "Honey Amber". Their reproductions were clearly marked with labels stating that they were reproductions, and a distinguishing letter K was sometimes (but not always) added to the moulds.  Their first mould purchases (around 1944) were mostly for novelty items like trinket boxes, trays, jars, fancy plates and candlesticks). In 1946 they bought some moulds from a Mr. Tuska of New York. These were famous 19th century designs some of which had been used by the Phoenix Glass Company in the 1930's and early 1940's. Between 1950 and 1957 the Kemples bought another 300 molds, this time from the McKee company before and after it was sold to Thatcher Glass. These included the "Prescut" series with such designs as Aztec, Toltec, Sextec, Martec, Bontec, Carltec, Plutec, Quintec, Valtec, and Yutec. Each of these was produced by Kemple in several items. The Yutec series was one of the most popular.  In 1970, when John Kemple died, Mrs Kemple sold over 800 molds to the Wheaton Historical Association. They made reproductions from some of these between 1970 and1979 in a range of colours. Initially they were marketed as "Wheatonware" and sold through "home parties" by independent contractors. In 1975 they were marketed as "Wheatoncraft" and sold through more conventional outlets. The McKee molds were used for both Wheatonware and Wheatoncraft, in amber, blue, green and pearl crystal. They were marketed as "Kemple Collectors Items" and initially carried the Kemple K, but a small w was then added to the K at the request of Geraldine Kemple. Since 1979 the molds have been in storage and so far as we know, further reproductions have not been made. 

John E. Kemple Glass Works Company History John E. Kemple Glass Works, East Palestine, Ohio (1945-1956) and Kenova, West Virginia (1956-1970).  Started by John E. Kemple and his wife Geraldine. John was descended from five generations of glassmakers and had previously worked at the Fostoria Glass Company. Geraldine had worked in advertising, and owned her own gift shop. For years they had thought of opening their own glass company and in May of 1945 they sold the gift shop and used the money to help finance the John E. Kemple Glass Works. The Kemples worked hard to make the business a success and during its peak the company employed about fifty workers. When the building they were leasing burned to the ground in 1956 they purchased the Gill Glass Works factory in Kenova, West Virginia. Always a family run enterprise, John managed the factory while Geraldine ran the sales room, the office, and conducted tours. When John fell ill in 1967 Geraldine continued to run the business while caring for her husband, but when he died in 1970 she decided to close the company and retire.  Molds: Beginning in 1944 (a year before they opened) the Kemples acquired several hundred molds that had previously belonged to the Mannington Art Glass Company of West Virginia. These were mainly for novelty items, some of which dated from the late 1800s and had originated with companies such as Gillinder & Sons and the Dithridge Glass Company. Additional molds, including patterns such as Lace and Dewdrop, Ivy-in-Snow and Moon and Star Variant were obtained in 1946 from H. M. Tuska, a New York distributor. Most of the Tuska molds can be traced back to the Co-operative Flint Glass Company, and possibly to the Wilson Glass Company of Tarentum, Pennsylvania before that. During the 1950s another 300+ molds were purchased from the McKee Glass Company. These included molds for several EAPG patterns, such as Aztec, Martec, and Toltec, as well as some covered animal dishes and other novelty items. These and other smaller purchases led to Kemple owning more than 1,100 molds by the end of its twenty-five year history. When the company closed the majority of these were sold to Wheaton Industries of Millville, NJ who continued to produce many of the items as part of their Wheatonware line. In 1975 the molds were moved to the Museum of American Glass at Wheaton Village where they still reside.

The Fenton Art Glass Company is a glass manufacturer founded in 1905 by brothers Frank L. Fenton and John W. Fenton.  History The original factory was in an old glass factory in Martins Ferry, Ohio in 1905.[1] The factory at one time was owned by the former West Virginia Glass Company.[2] At first they painted glass blanks from other glass makers, but started making their own glass when they became unable to buy the materials they needed.[2] They moved across the Ohio river to Williamstown, West Virginia, and built a factory in 1906. The first year for glass production was 1907.[1] In 1908 John Fenton left the company and founded the Millersburg glass company in Millersburg, OH.[1]  Frank Fenton was the designer and decorator. From 1905 to 1920, the designs made there were heavily influenced by two other glass companies: Tiffany and Steuben. But the many different colors were the work of Jacob Rosenthal, a famous glass chemist who is known for developing chocolate and golden agate glass.[3] Towards the end of 1907, the Fenton brothers were the first to introduce carnival glass, which later became a popular collector's item.[4]  During the Great Depression and World War II, Fenton produced practical items (such as mixing bowls and tableware) due to shortages. At the same time, they continued creating new colors. Towards the end of the Great Depression they also produced perfume bottles for the Wrisley Company in 1938. The bottles were made in French opalescent glass with the hobnail pattern.[5]  In 1940, Fenton started selling Hobnail items in French Opalescent, Green Opalescent and Cranberry Opalescent. The Hobnail pattern glass would become the top-selling line and allowed the Fenton company to exist during WWII and to expand after the war.  In the late 1940s, the top three members of Fenton's management died. Frank Fenton and Wilmer C. "Bill" Fenton immediately stepped in and took over the positions of President and Vice President, respectively. Over the next thirty years, they continued to expand Fenton Art Glass, despite a large number of glass factories closing down.  In 1986, George W. Fenton, Frank's son, took over as President of the company.[6]  Maker marks In 1970, the company added their logo to the bottom of their "Original Formula" Carnival Glass pieces to distinguish them from their older Carnival Glass pieces. By 1974, Fenton was putting their logo on all the pieces they made. Pieces made in the 1980s have the number eight under the letter "n" in the logo, pieces from the 1990s have the number nine and pieces made in the 2000s have a 0 in the same place.[7] From June 1996 to July 1998 Fenton marked preferred seconds sold in their gift shop with a sandblasted solid or hollow star.[8] In August 1998 an F replaced the star.[8]  Another type of mark is found on glass baskets. Where the glass handles of the baskets are attached to the base of the basket a stamp is made.[9] Each handler had a specific pattern to help identify which handler attached the handle.[9] The marks began in the 1950s and were instituted by Frank M. and Bill Fenton.[9]  Item codes Fenton used a coding system to describe the items it produced.[10] The code used numbers for the pattern and letters for the color.[10] There were also letter codes for any decorations.[11]  Patterns Example of a Fenton Persian Medallion bowl Persian Medallion in marigold Example of a Fenton Basket Weave plate. Green opalescent Basket Weave plate Some of the patterns used on items produced by Fenton were:  NameYears ProducedDescriptionReference Cherry ChainDistinguished by groups of cherries in a circular pattern.[12] Coin Dot1947, 1952–54, 1956–64A pattern made by using opalescent glass that was a copy the Polka Dot Victorian pattern.[13] Dragon and LotusThis pattern is possibly available in more colors than other patterns.[14] HobnailAn even arrangement of bumps similar to that found on the bottom parts of hobnail boots.[15] Open EdgeAlso referred to as Basket weave. The pattern is on the outside of the bowl, basket, or plate and the edge has two rows of holes around it. Three rows of holes were also made.[16] PantherThis is an interior pattern showing two large cats, the outside pattern is Butterfly and Berry. All pieces have balled feet.[17] Persian MedallionEmbroidered medallions in a ring. Used on plates, bowls, and bonbons.[18] Colors and combinations Fenton made hundreds of different colors of glass over the time they were open.[19]  Carnival colors[20] The color of carnival glass is the color of the applied treatment not the color of the piece of glass.[20]  NameYears ProducedDescriptionReference AmberinaA fiery red blended to yellow.[20] AmethystA deep to pale purple.[20] BluePale to deep blue.[20] Cobalt BlueA deep shade of blue and the most sought after.[20] Independence Blue1975-76A cobalt blue carnival treatment made during the U.S.Bicentennial.[21] GreenThis color ranges from a deep green to a light yellow green.[20] MarigoldA yellow orange color.[20] RedA red color that is deep when held to a light.[20] Rich MarigoldOrange-red in appearance.[20] Opalescent colors[22]  NameYears ProducedDescriptionReference Amethyst Opalescent[22] Blue Opalescent1959-64, 1978–81Appears at odd times after 1907 till 1959.[22][23] Cameo Opalescent1920's, 1979–82Brown to tan in color.[23] Cranberry Opalescent1956-1989Mainly made in hobnail and coin dot pattern molds.[23] French Opalescent1956-68, 1980Also called Crystal. Clear class. Made in hobnail, Coin Dot molds, also Mandarin and Empress vases.[22][23] Green Opalescent1959-61Can be a jade color to a lime green.[22][23] Plum Opalescent1959-62Created by attempting to make a cranberry opalescent that could be used in pressed molds. A deep purple color.[23] Topaz Opalescent1940-44, 1959–62, 1980A yellow uranium glass. Used in Hobnail, Coin Dot, Cactus, and Lily of the Valley pattern molds.[23] Crests This color combination consists of glass of a different color added to the rim of a piece.[24]  NameYears ProducedDescriptionReference Aqua Crest1940-42, 48-53Milk Glass with a blue edge.[25] Black Rose1953-54Peach Blow with a black edge.[25] Blue Ridge1939French Opalescent with a blue edge.[25] Crystal Crest1942Milk glass with a double row of crystal and white glass.[25] Emerald Crest1949-55Also called Green Crest in 1949.[25] Gold Crest1943-45Yellow glass on the edge of Milk glass items.[25] Ivory Crest1940-41Custard glass with a crystal edge.[25] Peach Crest1940-69A cased glass with milk glass on the outside and ruby on the inside with a crystal edge.[23] Silver Crest1943 onwardsA crystal edge on milk glass. Marble or slag A type of glass that is opaque and streaked. It is usually a glass pressed in molds rather than being blown.[26]  NameYears ProducedDescriptionReference Blue Marble1970-73Blue with swirls of white.[23] Chocolate Glass1907-1910, 1976Also called Carmel slag. Created by glass maker Jacob Rosenthal.[27] Overlays Overlays are a type of cased glass. Cased glass is made up of different colors in layers.[28]  NameYears ProducedDescriptionReference Apple Green overlay1961A light green glass over milk glass.[23] Blue overlay1943-53, 1967, 1971Blue glass over milk glass.[23][25] Coral overlay1961A peach glass over milk glass.[23] Gold overlay1949Milk glass with an amber overlay.[25] Green overlay1949-53Milk glass covered in green glass.[25] Ivy1949-52Dark green over white glass.[25] Rose overlay1943-48Milk glass cased with light pink glass.[25] Shelly Green overlay1967Colonial green over milk glass, used only on lamps.[23] Vasa Murrhina is a cased glass, the name means vessel of gems. This type of glass has a long history pre dating Fenton. Frank M. Fenton had glass chemist Charles Goe develop a way to make it since the way it was made was long forgotten. The piece starts out as a ball of glass that is rolled in small pieces of broken glass called frit. Then another layer of crystal was gathered over the frit.[29]  NameYears ProducedDescriptionReference Adventurine Green1964-68Blue and green frit over a milk glass base[29] Autumn Orange1965-67Brown and orange frit over an opal glass base.[29] Blue Mist1965-67Blue frit over a crystal base.[29] Red Mist1965-67Red frit over a crystal base.[29] Fenton has an extensive line of MILK GLASS that also is offered in an array of patterns.  Decorations Fenton had a long history of decorating glass that goes back to its beginnings in 1905.[1] The Fenton Art Glass company started out as a decorating company that purchased blanks from glass manufacturers and placed their own decorations on them.[2] Fenton did not manufacturer glass until 1907 a year after the Williamstown, WV plant was built.[2]  Decorations found on three or more shapes  NameYears ProducedDescriptionGlass typeCodeReference Apple Blossom1969-70Painted pink flowers.Silver crestAB[11] Bluebells on Hobnail1971-72Painted blue flowers.Hobnail milk glassBB[11] Bluebirds1977-79Painted bluebirdsCustard glassBC[11] Transfer leaves1970-72Transfer decoration of oak leavesBurmeseBD[11] Blue Dogwood1980-82Blue flowers with five petals. A mistake in naming that stuck because Dogwood only has 4 petals.Cameo SatinBL, BQ[11][30] Blue Roses1978-83The first item to be painted with the decoration was an egg.Blue Satin and Custard glassBL[11] Butterflies1977-78Butterflies and yellow and blue flowersMilk glassBY[11] Violets in the snow1969-84Tiny violets, also called decorated violets.Silver crest and Milk glassDV[11] Closure On August 9, 2007, Fenton Art Glass sent out a press release stating they would "cease... operations over the next few months."  Their plans involved laying off 25 employees immediately, and in the following weeks, the rest of their workers would be laid off.[31] However, on December 4, 2007, Fenton Art Glass released a press statement, saying that due to an unexpected buying frenzy and internal restructuring, the company would stay open until at least the spring of 2008.[32] In an open letter in August 2008, company president George Fenton said that thanks to the buying frenzy, the company had been able to institute some reforms, and wouldn't be closing in the foreseeable future.[33]  On July 6, 2011, Fenton Art Glass sent out a press release stating they would "wind down production of its collectible and giftware glass products."  According to WTAP TV, "The company cites financial challenges since its restructuring in 2007 and recent developments as factors in its decision to shut down its traditional glassmaking business. Fenton Art Glass says it's exploring the sales of one or more of its product lines."[34]  Fenton ceased "traditional" glassmaking at the Williamstown, WV factory in July 2011. However, the factory remained open as a jewelry making operation, producing handcrafted glass beads and Teardrop earrings. The Fenton Gift Shop, located in the same building, also had a large quantity of glass remaining in their inventory. Visitors to the factory were still able to watch the beadmaking demonstrations and purchase Fenton Art Glass.  In June 2017, Wood County Schools Superintendent John Flint signed an agreement to purchase the land that the former Fenton Glass Factory occupied. In October 2017, it was announced that demolition of the factory buildings would begin by the end of 2017, and that the new school, to be named the Williamstown-Waverly Elementary School, will occupy the factory's employee and visitor parking areas. Art glass using the original Fenton mold designs, including the Fenton emblem, continues to be produced at another factory in nearby Ohio, while handcrafted jewelry and hand painted items will continue to be offered at the new Fenton Art Glass Gift Shop at 2242 Williams Highway, Williamstown, WV 26187.[35][36][37]  Continuing the glass bead jewelry tradition In 2015, Fenton's glass bead jewelry business was purchased by John Barton Company of Philadelphia, PA. Today, the company operates a manufacturing and fulfillment center in Philadelphia, producing glass beads for the wholesale and retail markets, as well as selling directly to consumers through an online store.

In the world of handcrafted colored glass, Fenton Art Glass stands in a class by itself. Maybe you’ve found Carnival glass or milk glass collectibles at a local estate sale. If so, you have firsthand knowledge of how beautiful Fenton Art Glass pieces can be..  If you’re intrigued by Fenton Art Glass, you’ve come to the right place. We’re covering everything about these phenomenal pieces. In this post, you’ll learn how Fenton Art Glass started, and we’ll discuss its various styles and patterns. Plus, you’ll find out how to identify authentic Fenton glassware products (including Carnival glass) and view several examples of Fenton glass values. Finally, you’ll learn how you can add this beautiful glassware to a place of honor in your home.  HISTORY OF FENTON ART GLASS Fenton Art Glass was in business for over 100 years. During that time, it created decorative and functional glassware pieces using only traditional methods. In its era, it was the largest United States-based manufacturer of colorful glass collectibles.  Fenton Art Glass’ claim to fame was its stunning glass colors. In particular, glass chemist Jacob Rosenthal developed the rich-looking chocolate glass and golden agate glass hues. Amethyst, aqua, ruby red, and topaz Fenton glassware also drew collectors’ attention over the years. In addition to its blown and pressed glassware, Fenton added unique decorative elements to its glass. In fact, many glass collectibles display intricate hand-painted motifs.  Fenton Art Glass Opens for Business in 1905 Fenton Art began as a glassware painting business in 1905. Skilled Fenton painters created intricate patterns on existing glass “blanks” produced by other glassmaking companies. After a few years, the Ohio-based company decided to start making its own line of glass. So it moved its operations to West Virginia, which was abundant with glassmaking materials.  In 1908, Fenton Glass Art boldly introduced its popular Carnival glass line. The glassware was striking. It featured an iridescent finish inspired by fine Tiffany and Steuben iridescent glass. In fact, Carnival iridescent glass received the nickname “Poor Man’s Tiffany” glass. However, this mildly derogatory name didn’t discourage families from purchasing the colorful glassware.  Fenton Ceases All Manufacturing Operations in 2011 After 100 years in business, Fenton Art Glass shuttered its glass making plant in 2011. Afterward, another Ohio glassmaker acquired the molds and currently produces an assortment of Fenton-stamped collectibles. The Fenton Gift Shop in Williamstown, West Virginia carries the newly minted “Fenton” products.  VINTAGE FENTON GLASSWARE INVENTORY Fenton Art Glass produced an impressive variety of useful and decorative glassware. Pieces such as candy dishes and compotes are functional, while bells and hats are purely whimsical. Either way, all the Fenton glass pieces are quite collectible. Here are some examples of the most popular vintage Fenton glassware pieces:  Banana Boats Bon Bon Bowls Candy Dishes Compotes (including Mini Compotes) Bells Hats Decorative Plates Figurines Baskets (glass) Glass Bowls (including Footed and Ruffled Bowls) Pitchers (with Tumblers)- glass Glass Vases (especially Swung Vases) Hatpin Holders Jars (Without Lids) Lamps Nut Bowls Shaving Mugs Toothpick Holders FENTON ART GLASS STYLES AND PATTERNS Fenton Art Glass is known for its rich, vibrant colors and sculpted motifs. During its 100+ years in business, it produced several pressed glass styles and patterns.  Most pieces were fabricated in clear crystal, although Fenton also produced some colored satin glassware.  However, those glassware pieces were only made for a few years.  Carnival Glass Fenton’s Carnival glass gets its iridescent shine from the metallic or mineral salts added during the manufacturing cycle. Carnival glass is available in a rainbow of colors. Marigold is the most common hue, with amethyst/purple, blue, and green closely behind. The glassware is also known for its highly sculpted and embellished patterns.  From 1907 to 1925, Carnival glass was a popular carnival prize (hence its name). Afterwards, demand for it slowed, but it enjoyed a comeback in the 1960s and 1970s. Depression glass is similar to Carnival glass, but Depression glass has a consistent color and lacks an iridescent sheen.  Custard Glass Fenton custard glass is appropriately named, as this opaque yellow-toned glass resembles freshly blended custard. The actual glass color ranges from pale ivory to a bright yellow/green hue. Custard glass often features decorative elements, such as roses and/or gold.  Milk Glass Non-hobnail Fenton milk glass pieces are also collector favorites. Fenton’s milk glass basket weave pattern is especially striking.The pre-1958 milk glass isn’t as dense or opaque as the glass made in later years. In addition, the older milk glass’ iridized salts produce an iridescent, multicolored halo in bright sunlight.  Fenton also produced a beautiful overlay milk glass variety. Overlay milk glass features transparent colored glass applied over the white milk glass.  Hobnail Glass Fenton introduced its hobnail glass in 1939. The popular glassware appeared similar to the earlier Victorian “dewdrop glass.” As Fenton’s 1967 catalog noted, the term “hobnail” came from the hobnails on the American pioneers’ hobnailed boots.  Fenton offered hobnail vases and other pieces in nine solid colors. Of these, the cranberry glass is very popular with collectors. Cranberry opalescent glass items, featuring a whitish tone around a vase’s neck and on some hobnails, are also sought-after collectibles.  Compact opalescent hobnail vases are the perfect size for a small display case or shelf. Generally speaking, all Fenton opalescent glass continues to be a highly desirable find.  Hobnail Milk Glass These whitish-colored hobnail collectibles are the color of milk (hence the term “milk glass”). The pieces were quite popular from their introduction to the 1970s. In the 2000s, they came back in vogue with lower prices.  Patterns During Fenton Art Glass’ early years, many of the company’s pieces featured nature-themed patterns. Popular motifs included Butterfly and Berries, Peacock Tail, Thistle, Waterlily and Cattails, and Wreath of Roses.  Fenton’s hobnail pattern is the most famous type. But the Silver Crest pattern is the second-most-famous design. Silver Crest pieces feature a 1/4″ clear glass edge around the signature Fenton ruffle.  HOW TO IDENTIFY FENTON ART GLASS During Fenton Art Glass’ long manufacturing history, the company marked its dazzling array of glassware in one of several ways. Before 1970, Fenton used paper stickers. But these were easily lost or removed.  From 1970 onward, most glassware received the molded “Fenton” signature. Decade-specific pieces, along with “Fenton Seconds,” feature different identifying marks.  Carnival Glass Identification Tips As with many popular collectibles, Fenton Art Glass was a trendsetter. And copycats followed suit. Its Carnival glass popularity spurred other manufacturers to produce iridescent glassware. Glass experts think around 2,000 Carnival glass patterns are still available today.  Identifying authentic Fenton Carnival glass can be a challenge. However, older pieces often display carbon specks or air bubbles. The bases often feature distinctive spatula feet or ball feet. Plus, the edges often have a ruffled, crimped, or sawtooth effect. Finally, look for the pattern stamped on the item’s exterior surface.  FENTON GLASSWARE VALUE AND PRICE GUIDE Generally speaking, decorative glassware has decreased in value over the last decade or so. Fewer younger buyers collect these pieces, and there’s essentially a glut of glassware on the market.  Though, Fenton Art Glass collectibles still have a dedicated following. The products’ striking styles, shapes, and colors make them a favorite among collectors. Fenton’s limited-edition glass pieces remain extremely popular through the years.  Although currently available Fenton glassware brings lower prices than in the 1980s and 1990s, it continues to be a reliable seller. However, an item’s selling price depends on where you are and how you sell it. Finally, note that less-common pieces command higher-than-average prices.  Of course, lower prices can work to a collector’s advantage. You can likely snap up many sought-after pieces at bargain prices. And, specific Fenton items may increase in value during the coming years. In other words, Fenton milk glass values could see a resurgence among collectors.  Factors that Affect Vintage Fenton Glassware Prices Multiple factors determine a Fenton Art Glass piece’s selling price. First, a rarer or elaborately embellished piece generally commands a higher price. Next, glassware from certain years is especially desirable. And not surprisingly, a glassware piece’s color also plays a role in its selling price. When Fenton introduced a new product line, some colors were more in-demand than others.  Naturally, the item’s condition substantially affects its selling price. In comparing two identical pieces from the same manufacturing era, the mint-condition item will command the higher price. Glassware with chips, cracks, or telltale signs of wear will carry a lower price.  Auction Selling Prices and Estimated Price Ranges If you’re wondering about the most valuable Fenton glass pieces, view these eBay auction selling prices from late 2020/early 2021. Note that these top-selling pieces are rare and in excellent condition. At the other end of the spectrum, view several lower-priced Fenton glass collectibles.

Amber glass A pale yellow glass tinted with mixtures of Sulfur and red iron oxide. Red and orange colors were the easiest to make and occurred naturally in early glassware. From the 16th century, the inexpensive amber-color glassware was commonly used for medicine bottles and chemicals in order to prevent deterioration from light. In the US, the New England Glass Company, patented a formula to produce a yellowish amber color glassware. Its successor, the Libbey Glass Company, made a wide range of ornamental colored tableware ranging from golden to reddish. By the early 20th century, amber color glasses became popular in 'Depression era' glassware.  amberina; rose amber; Amber glass is the name of any glassware with the proper yellow-brown shading. It was a popular color just after the Civil War and many pressed glass pieces were made of amber glass. Depression glass of the 1930s-1950s was also made in shades of amber glass. Other pieces may be found in the Depression Glass, Pressed Glass, and other glass categories. All types are being reproduced. Jewelry is made from real amber, which is taken from the resin of pine trees, and forms amber. For more information, explore our identification guides for glass colors, Depression glass and its patterns, and pressed glass and its colors. Colored glass remains one of the most fascinating mediums in the decorative arts. It's a craft that's existed for centuries, from Ancient Egypt to modern time, with maker-giants such as Tiffany Studios, Moser, and Gallé. But no matter the era, colored glass art has consistently been one of the foremost decorative techniques throughout history. If you want to learn more about the different types of antique glass, you have come to the right place. Read more to learn about the techniques, craft, and history of colored glass and vintage glassware.   29-1348_2  THE MEDIUM  The medium of colored glass has been applied to numerous types of objects throughout history. From adorning and essentially completing, Gothic-style cathedrals in Western Europe to topping glass lamps, colored glass is an indispensable art form. Artisans even used this vintage glass-making technique to create stunning vintage glassware, vase pieces, and other crystal wear.   BASIC TECHNIQUE OF MAKING COLORFUL GLASS  Essentially, glass is the final product of fusing different types of materials: sand, salt, metallic oxide, and powdered flint.   The ancient technique of colored glass making is remarkably similar to today's modern methods, and laid an essential foundation for future glass innovators to build upon. The basic ingredients for the ancient method of cut glass included: sand (which acted as the main component), soda ash, salt, and white plant (to which little is known). In addition, ancient art glass craftsmen would utilize a copper compound, which was used as a colorant in glass pieces.   Modern techniques of art glass making include many of the same materials, such as sand and soda ash, but include a wider variety of metals to achieve different colors.   APPLICATION OF COLOR IN GLASS  The application and inclusion of color in antique glass often define the desirability, value, and function of the glass object. While ancient cultures, the earliest people who worked with glass, primarily utilized a copper-based substance to achieve glass color, modern methods employ various different metals to give glass objects nuanced, vibrant, and exceptional coloring.   If you examine a stained-glass window design, different areas owe their colors to different metals and elements. At Chartres Cathedral, for example, the north transept rose window is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and Child, depicting the entire narrative depiction through the colorful glass. The blue of the Virgin Mary’s robe is a result of the addition of cobalt oxide and cobalt carbonate into a glass melt. The gold of the Child’s cloak, for example, is a result of the combination of sulfur, carbon, and iron salts into the original glass recipe of sand and soda ash.   800px-Chartres_-_Rose_du_transept_Nord_-3   Do these colors in antique glassware and art pieces last? In some cases, certain colors are not as durable against outside agents, such as sun exposure. Some colors, when exposed, would darken while others would lighten or fade. It was found, very early on, that red was the most susceptible and vulnerable to fading. Upon this finding, innovative glassblowers tirelessly worked to produce a red color whose vibrant hue would remain permanent against sun exposure. By adding small amounts of gold to the red glass recipe, glass craftsmen found that the red  would remain strong for years against outside agents.   30-3796_1Red glass perfume bottle by Thomas Mellish   29-8640_2   What other metals are utilized to achieve different colors in antique colored glass objects? View the list below to learn more:   Yellow – Lead Compounds White – Tin Compounds Yellow – Amber - Sulfur Violet – Nickel Oxide Purple – Manganese Dioxide Red – Gold Chloride Blue, Green, Red – Copper Compounds White – Antimony Oxides  30-0569_3A Geometric-style Tiffany Studios chandelier that exhibits impressive yellow and amber-colored glass   THROUGHOUT HISTORY  Because the history of glass craft and techniques has long existed and gone through multiple phases, it’s important to touch on each pivotal moment during its development to fully grasp its importance.   ANCIENT ROOTS  While little is known about the first attempts at glass making, historical documentation has provided us with numerous references to colored glass craft throughout different cultures. Generally, it is accepted that experimentation in glass-making began nearly 5,000 years ago in Mesopotamia. Phoenician sailors are thought to have landed on a beach and prepared a fire - discovering that the sand beneath the fire melted and hardened into glass. However, it took a long period of time - and countless variations and experimentation - to discover and ultimately perfect the technique of glassmaking. Importantly, during this time, only affluent and royal individuals were permitted to obtain and utilize glass objects.   THE ROMAN EMPIRE  3371640_orig   In 300 B.C., a major technological innovation occurred: Syrians invented the blowpipe, and the modern technique and foundation for glass formation was finally laid. The Roman Empire embraced this new technique, and glassmakers and craftsmen now could create glass pieces in a wide variety of shapes and forms. Importantly,t it is in this century that class craftsmen developed formulas to apply and incorporate different colors into glass. Consequently, the process of glassmaking became more widespread and affordable – allowing those outside of the elite and royal social classes access to glass pieces.   During the Roman Empire, glass alabastrons were a popular glass item. Used to hold perfumed oil and medicinal solutions, the widespread use of iridescent alabastrons are a testament to the popularity and use of glass during the Roman Empire.   30-4399_1An Ancient Roman Glass Alabastron, once used to hold perfumed oils or other medicinal solutions   MIDDLE AGES  Fast forward to the Middle Ages, following the collapse of the Roman Empire up until the Renaissance period. During this long era, Venice became the European nucleus for glass making – commanding the market and the techniques. Essentially, Venice maintained an enormous monopoly on glass.   Striving to maintain their control, the Venetian government forced all glassblowers to the nearby island of Murano. Importantly, it is here that glass craftsmen began infusing their glass pieces with vivid, jewel tones such as rich greens, royal blues, and velvety purples. While the glassblowers were legally restricted to Murano, some did manage to escape and spread their newfound coloring techniques throughout Europe.   An example of Murano glass, a vivid blue chandelier, circa 1880An example of Murano glass, a vivid blue chandelier, circa 1880   During the 12th century, great cathedrals were built across Western Europe. Enormous in size, craftsmen were tasked with decorating the interiors of the massive structures. The first form of art that they turned to was colored glass. Craftsmen were commissioned to create colossal stained-glass windows, taking advantage of the soaring walls to flood the interior with vibrant light. By now, glass-making techniques that incorporated different colors into glass objects had spread across Europe, and different innovators were adopting the practices.   Today, stained glass windows are synonymous with the Gothic period and are closely tied to the prevalent architecture. Gothic stained-glass windows acted as both narrative outlets and objects of pure beauty; the windows gave both a visual glimpse into essential Biblical tales for a largely illiterate populous and provided an unsurpassed optical experience within the cathedrals.   RENAISSANCE  518wEMttbuL   During the Renaissance, a time strongly characterized by a re-birth of humanism, technology, science, and philosophy, a pivotal moment in glassmaking occurred: the publishing of the first textbook on glassblowing, Arte Vetrarie (The Art of Glass). Published in Italy by a Florentine priest named Antonio Neri, this book gained significant recognition as it formally disclosed Venetian glassmaking techniques and revealed various glassmaking methods used to achieve different styles, such as leaded glass and diamond engraving.   EARLY AMERICA  Established in 1607, the Jamestown colony was the first permanent settlement in North America. Approximately 105 colonists departed England, bringing numerous objects to live out their daily lives in the new land. During their initial stay, colonists were still receiving functional and decorative glass wares imported from Europe. However, by the 1880s, there existed more glassmakers unique to America with the invention of the mechanical press.  With the invention of this press, two people could easily craft an object of glass. By utilizing the press, one person brought the hot glass from the furnace to the mold, and the second cut off the right amount of glass to enter the patterned mold. Once the mold was squeezed, a decorated piece of glass came out in seconds.   ART NOUVEAU  30-4241_4   Glass production throughout the 19th century was an enormously inventive time: countless artisans crafted contemporary glass and glassmaker, such as Lalique and Gallé, rose to high fame. The Art Nouveau period is perhaps the most pivotal time for the proliferation of colored glass as an art form. In other words, it was during this period that a marriage between glass production and aesthetic art was formed. Art Nouveau glass is now some of the most stunning art glass pieces you can find in any antique collection.ection.   Glassmakers during the Art Nouveau era welcomed and incorporated the swirling lines, natural motifs, and organic, characteristics of the period, into their elegant glassworks. Often, makers, such as Gallé, would give their glass pieces an intensely foliate look and accentuate the foliate natural with vivid colorings, such as grassy greens and jewel-toned blues and reds.   29-3778_4Cameo Glass Vase by Emile Gallé that depicts natural, foliate motifs of the Art Nouveau period   Tiffany Studios crafted an entirely new line of vintage glass to coincide with the popularity of the Art Nouveau movement. Designed as "Favrile," these glass pieces were comprised of strikingly colored iridescent glass. To even further match the foliate nature of Art Nouveau, Tiffany shaped each glass piece into flowers and other foliate shapes.   30-3261_1Tiffany Studios crafted a series of crystal glass called Favrile glass, that featured natural forms of strikingly iridescent-colored glass   COLORED GLASS SPOTLIGHT  29-1348_1 Bamboo Windows crafted by Tiffany Studios., circa 1910   By the turn of the 20th century, Tiffany Studios became masters, and specialists, at colored glass creation. Their lamps, chandeliers, and objets d'art fascinating glass connoisseurs and the everyday passerby alike. Their stylized, striking pieces captivated the world. Their stained glass windows, on the other hand, maintained an entirely greater presence all on their own.   This pair of Tiffany Studios stained glass windows exhibits the brilliance and outstanding ability that distinguish the work of Louis Comfort Tiffany from that of all other glassmakers Looking to the prevalent Art Nouveau style, shoots of towering bamboo are depicted in a lush mosaic of deep greens and browns set upon a backdrop of golden yellow glass. These windows must be experienced in person, as they showcase an outstanding visual effect when viewed in transmitted and then reflected light.   29-1348_2Bamboo Tiffany Windows by Tiffany Studios, detail   While most of Tiffany's window commissions were of ecclesiastical subjects, the artist was at his best when designing windows with nature as his inspiration. The Bamboo pattern is among the most admired in his repertoire and is an excellent example of the popular Art Nouveau style of the time.   The windows are displayed and illuminated in custom-built, ebonized cases.   GLASS TERMS TO KNOW  Acid Etching – a technique used to decorate the surface of glass objects. The glass object is submerged in hydrofluoric acid and then etched in the desired design. Other techniques can be exposing the piece to the fumes of hydrofluoric acid, giving the piece an all-over matte effect. Abrasion – a technique used to decorate the surface of glass objects. The surface of a glass object is grinded down to create a shallow-relief decoration. Alabastron - frequently crafted during the Roman Empire, a small glass bottle or flask-shaped object used to hold perfumes and oils Ancient Glass – a term frequently applied to all pre-Roman and ancient Roman glass.  If you are looking to add a colored piece of elegant glass that's in pristine condition, shop our one-of-a-kind glass collection at M.S. Rau Antiques. Our selection of colored and molded glass offers a variety of design options to accommodate all collectors. Browse our stunning pieces of molten glass right on our website or in our in-person showroom. 

Jeannette Bottle Works began operation in the late 1880s in Jeannette, Pennsylvania. In 1898 the company became Jeannette Glass Company. Like so many other glassware entities, this one concentrated on utility glass early on and produced a vast selection of handmade bottles, jars, and dishware well into the early 1900s.   The company expanded production to prism glass in 1917. Prism glass was incorporated in both business and residential structures to increase light exposure. This division of the company was sold in the mid-1920s. Improvements made to the factory during this period, however, included converting it to a pressed glass facility. This change allowed the company to later produce the Depression-era kitchen glass and dinnerware for which they are best known.  FEATURED VIDEO Learn the Rising Card Trick Depression Glass Days Jeannette Glass Company, one of the seven major companies producing Depression glass, introduced 14 collectible patterns during the period from 1928 through 1938, according to an article by Joyce E. Krupey published online by the National Depression Glass Association. Among these are the ever-popular Adam and Iris & Herringbone patterns. Other Jeannette patterns include Hex Optic, Cube (also known as Cubist), Floral, Sierra, Doric, Sunflower, Windsor, Doric & Pansy, Swirl, Homespun, and Sunburst. A number of children's dish sets in various patterns were made as well. Jeannette also manufactured the Cherry Blossom pattern, which is being singled out here because it has been widely reproduced. Select pieces of Iris & Herringbone in crystal have also been reproduced in clear. Ruby Lane's "Real or Repro" site (realorrepro.com) is a good resource for identifying these reproduced pieces. Colors used in Jeannette's Depression glass vary from the traditional pink, green, and clear to a more uncommon teal blue-green color called ultramarine. They manufactured not only dinnerware patterns in these colors but a wide array of kitchen glassware as well. Their ribbed kitchenware pattern known as Jennyware was made in pink, clear, and ultramarine. Jeannette also produced kitchen glass and a limited amount of dinnerware in opaque Jadite and Delphite glass.  The mark indicating a piece was made Jeannette Glass Company included a capital J enclosed by either a square or a triangle, and sometimes alone. The J is sometimes is reversed on the bottom of the piece, but appears normally when seen through the bottom of a tumbler, goblet or ice cream glass. Many pieces of Jeannette glass were not marked but can be easily identified by the distinctive patterns as noted above.  Contribution to the Milk Glass Market During the 1950s Jeannette introduced Cameo Glassware consisting of "exquisite traditional styling in gleaming milk white," according to a catalog page published in the Collector's Encyclopedia of Milk Glass by Bill and Betty Newbound. Competing with many other companies, their bowls, compotes and covered dishes looked similar to those made by Westmoreland and Fenton, although Jeanette's milk glass wares were nowhere near as plentiful in terms of the quantities produced in varied patterns.  Jeanette's most popular milk glass with collectors is the company's Shell Pink line. Made in the late 1950s for a short time, this collection incorporated many different patterns and mold shapes in pale pink milk glass. While Fenton, Fostoria, and Cambridge also had their versions of pink opaque glass similar to this, Jeanette's Shell Pink comes to mind most often when collectors refer to mid-century milk glass with a rose tint.  Ending an Era in Glass Production Jeannette Glass Company hit a low point in production during World War II but bounced back in the mid-1940s when the war ended. They purchased the McKee Glass Division of Thatcher Glass Manufacturing in 1961 and were known to operate the "world's largest electric glass furnace for melting heat-resisting glass" in the early 1960s, according to information shared on Glassian.com.  In 1970, the company's name changed to Jeannette Corporation. They ceased production and closed the factory in 1983. 

The Jeannette Glass Company History (1887-1983) The Jeannette Bottle Works Company was established in 1887, in Jeannette, Pennsylvania. In 1898 the Jeannette Bottle Works company was succeeded by the Jeannette Glass Company and got its start producing hand made bottles. With the advent of the O’Neill semi-automatic bottle blowing machine in 1899, Jeannette soon found itself producing wide mouth jars, relishes and other useful pressed glass items like automobile headlamp lenses. By 1904 the company was involved in producing items for medical and home use. Jeannette continued to grow and expand, and by 1924 they began producing lovely table and kitchenware. This innovative company was one of the forerunners in producing the machine made, colored pressed glassware, we collect today. Many of the Depression Glass patterns that we know and love were produced by the Jeannette Glass Company. Some of the more popular patterns produced were Adam, Anniversary, Cherry Blossom, Doric, Doric and Pansy, Floral Poinsettia, Floragold, and Iris.  Jeannette established its hold on the kitchen item market early in the Depression Era, designing and producing many kitchen items in pink, green, crystal, delphite, jadite and ultramarine. They were one of the major producers of Jadite and Delphite Glassware. Many of the most desirable Depression Glass kitchen items were made by The Jeannette Glass Company. In 1961 Jeannette bought the old McKee plant which was located in Jeannette and continued to produce glassware for both wholesale and retail businesses, until 1983 when they closed their doors.  Jeannette Patterns From the Depression Era Through the 1950s  Jeannette Adam Pink Adam Vase  Adam - (1932-1934) (Crystal, Delphite Green, Pink, Yellow) - Adam was a best selling pink and green Depression Glass pattern produced by the Jeannette Glass Company. Adam is a pretty stylized floral pattern. This pattern was made primarily in pink and green. A few pieces of Delphite and opaque yellow have been found. These pieces were experimental and make a nice addition to a collection, but there is not enough of either color to make a set. We have seen quite a few pieces of crystal over the last 40 years. You might be able to put together a small set of crystal, but it would be impossible to put much of it together. The Adam butter has been reproduced. The quality and color of the new butter dish cannot compare to the older Depression Glass butter dish. For more information click on the link to the right. Jeannette Adam    Jeannette Anniversary Butter Dish  Anniversary - (1947 - 1949)  (Crystal, Iridescent 1970's and later)( Shell Pink 1958-1959) - Anniversary is an interesting pattern produced by the Jeannette Glass Company in various colors from 1947 until 1975. Although Anniversary was introduced in the  1940's, many people lump Anniversary in with Depression Glass because it was listed that way in the first Depression Glass books, and because the pink color is the same hue that was used in Jeannette's earlier Depression Glass patterns. Since this pattern was produced for so many years, it has found it's way into many homes and is very popular today.  Recently, this pattern crystal vase with a frosted foot has bee seen in retail outlets with a "Made in India" label.  Jeannette Camellia Catalog AD  Camellia - (Late 1930s - 1951)  (Crystal, Iridescent, Gold Trimmed Crystal) - Camellia is a striking luncheon set that was introduced in the late 1930s and continued to be produced until the early 1950s  There is an embossed "Camellia" flower in the center area of each piece. This pattern was sold as a luncheon set, however the large 9" plate could easily be used as a dinner plate. Numerous bowls, plates, and trays can be found in this pattern, a snack plate with a matching cup, trays, tidbits, candlesticks, and a sugar and creamer were made.  Tom and Jerry sets in both crystal and iridescent may be found.  The Tom and Jerry set was made without the lettering and was sold with a 50s Deco metal stand to create a punch set.    Jeannette Pink Cherry Blossom Pitcher  Cherry Blossom - (1930-39) (Crystal, Delphite, Jadite, Green, Pink, Some Experimental Colors) - Cherry Blossom was produced by the Jeannette Glass Company. Cherry Blossom may be Jeannette's most collected Depression Glass pattern.  This pattern was made primarily in Pink, and Green and Delphite, although quite a few crystal pieces can also be found. Cherry Blossom is one the largest Depression Glass sets that was made in Delphite. Cherry Blossom is one of the few patterns that has a child's set. The child's set was made in the pink and delphite colors. Unfortunately, a poor quality reproduction of this entire miniature set in both colors has been on the secondary market for many years. Collectors should also be aware that reproductions of  other pieces in this pattern are prolific and many have been on the market since the late 1970's. Reproduced pieces include footed salt and pepper shakers, the covered butter dish, the footed water tumbler, cup and saucer, two handled tray, cake plate, dinner plate, cereal bowl, large round berry bowl and the divided oval tray. Since this is a fairly extensive list, collectors need to familiarize themselves with the differences between the old and new pieces. Jeannette Cherry Blossom Catalog Reprints and Lists  Cherry Blossom Catalog Pages PDF   Jeannette Green Cubist Puff Box  Cubist - (1929-1933) (Amber, Blue, Crystal, Green, Marigold Iridescent, Pink, White Milk Glass, Ultramarine, Yellow, Experimental Orange Slag) -  The Jeannette Glass Company produced Cubist. Cubist is found mainly in crystal, pink, and green, although you do find an occasional piece in the other colors listed above. Pitchers and tumblers are elusive and command a high price. Cubist is often confused with Fostoria's American pattern. Cubist items were mass produced, machine made Depression Glass while Fostoria's American pattern was hand made. Fostoria's pieces were refired and have a sheen, or shiny luster to them.   Jeannette Dewdrop Lazy Susan  Dewdrop - (1953- 1955) (Crystal) - This crystal Jeannette Pattern, from the mid 1950's was a very popular  luncheon set. The stylish 8" "Maple Leaf"  luncheon plate, and the combination snack trays, with an indent for holding a mug impressed friends and family.  The fact that this pattern had several unique and useful serving pieces is why many homemakers loved buyng and using Dewdrop. Very few luncheon sets from this time period had a revolving lazy susan, or a large punch bowl. Unique pieces like this helped to make this pattern a success.        Jeannette Doric Candy  Doric - (1930-39) (Crystal, Delphite, Green, Pink, Ultramarine, Yellow) - Doric was a very popular Depression Glass pattern in both green and pink.  It was produced by the Jeannette Glass Company during the 1930s.  This striking pattern is hard to find in good shape.  Sharp mold lines around the pattern edges were often damaged--even during production.  Pink and Green are the only colors in which one can complete a full set.  Delphite colored items were limited to serving pieces.  Hard to find pieces in pink and green include cereal bowls, cream soups (green only), and tumblers. Doric and Pansy (shown below), is a similar pattern.  It can be found in pink and collectors often use pink Doric and Pansy pieces with their pink Doric collections.    Jeannette Doric and Pansy Shakers  Doric and Pansy - (1937 - 1938) (Ultramarine, Pink, Crystal) - Ultramarine Doric and Pansy is very much like the Doric pattern shown above. In addition to the border of embossed squares in the Doric pattern, Doric and Pansy has an embossed pansy in every other square.  The vertical boxes above, or below the border, also have pansies embossed in them.  A complete setting of this pattern can found only in the Ultramarine color. Only a few pieces were made in Crystal and Pink. Jeannette marketed Doric and Pansy in both England and Canada.  It was extremely popular in these areas and more of it can be found overseas and in Canada. With the advent of internet selling more pieces of this lovely pattern began showing up on venues such as Etsy and Ebay.  It seemed for a time that there were plenty of the harder to find items to go around.  These pieces have since disappeared from the market place and the hard to find pieces are again something you will have to search to find.  Jeannette Iridescent Floragold Dinner Plate  Floragold - (1950s)(Crystal and Iridescent, Some Some Shell Pink Milk glass) - Floragold is one of the Jeannette Glass Company's most popular 1950s patterns. This lovely pattern was a full service dinnerware set. Most pieces of Floragold were mass produced and were reasonably priced, but some items such as the cereal bowls, ice tea tumblers, and vases were sold as extra pieces. These pieces were higher priced originally and not as many customers purchased them for their sets. They are harder to find as a result. Jeannette also experimented with this pattern and produced quite a few items that were never put into the regular line. These pieces include several compotes and a seldom seen butter dish. If you are lucky enough to find one of these rare pieces be prepared to pay a premium.   Jeannette Floral Poinsetta Rare Vase  Floral - (Poinsettia)-(1931-1935) (Black, Crystal, Custard, Delphite, Jadite, Pink, Red, Yellow) - Floral was named "Poinsettia by collectors before the company name was known, and the name is still used today.  This beautiful floral pattern came in an array of colors. While quite a few items came in Delphite, the only colors that you can complete a set in are pink and green. Floral was one of the larger Depression Era Sets produced by the Jeannette Glass Company. Some of the harder to find pieces include the lemonade pitcher, lemonade tumblers,  juice pitcher, flat juice tumblers, vases, and vanity items. Shakers have been reproduced in this pattern, but are of poor quality when compared to the real thing. The good news is that the footed shakers are the only item that have been reproduced.   Harp - (Crystal, Crystal with Gold Trim, Light Blue) - (1950s) - This pattern was dubbed Harp by collectors because of the pretty harp like musical design that decorates each piece.  Harp was used as a small luncheon or serving set.  Pieces include a footed cake stand, cups and saucers, coasters, ashtrays, and a 7" plate. Harp is another 1950s pattern that can be found in the Shell Pink Milk Glass line.  Jeannette Hex Optic Pitcher  Hex Optic (Honeycomb) - (1928 - 1932) (Green, Pink, Ultramarine, Iridescent) - The Hex Optic design was eye catching and popular among buyers during the 1930s.  As a result, many glass companies made a Hex Optic pattern.  Jeannette put a twist on their designs by incorporating them into a kitchen glassware line with an accompanying luncheon set.  They made a 10” sandwich plate in this pattern so if someone wanted to use the set as a dinnerware pattern it was possible. Some of the kitchen items that can be found in both Pink and Green include an ice bucket with a reamer top, a stacking leftover set, and mixing bowls.  Additional Information   Jeannette Holiday Pitcher  Holiday (Buttons and Bows) - (pink 1947-1949) (Crystal, Iridescent 1947-1975) ( Shell Pink 1958-1959)  - The Jeannette Glass Company produced Holiday and found that it was one of its most popular pink Depression Glass like patterns. It is listed in many  Depression Glass books, but was not introduced until 1947. This lovely pattern is moderately priced. Dinners, cups and saucers, serving pieces, pitchers and flat tumblers are easy to find. Harder to find items include the cake plate, footed tumblers, and large fruit or console bowl.    Jeannette Child's Homespun Set  Homespun - (Pink, Crystal, and some fired on colors) (1939-1949) - This lovely pattern of vertical lines with tiny vertical ribs is a creation of the Jeannette Glass Company.  Most pieces of Homespun have a waffle pattern in the bottom. Contrary to what was first believed, all pieces in this pattern do not have the waffle pattern present. Production of Homespun began in 1939.  Jeannette is one of the few companies that produced children's dishes (just like mothers) to go along with their Depression Glass Sets. Homespun has a matching child's set. A pitcher was made to go with the Homespun set. It looks identical to Hazel Atlas's Fine Rib patterned pitcher.  An original catalog reprint confirms that Jeannette did indeed make this pitcher and sold it with the Homespun pattern.   Jeannette Crystal Iris Candy Dish  ,Iris - (Crystal-1928-1932, Iridescent-1950s, Multicolored-1970s) - Jeannette started production of Iris in crystal during the Depression years. Later, in the 1950s, iridescent Iris was made. In the 1970's, flashed colors were produced. The iridescent candy bottom was also made during this time period. Quite a few pieces of crystal Iris have been reproduced by A & A Imports. Crystal dinner plates, flat tumblers, footed ice teas, and coasters have been made. At this time other items have not been remade.  Although these items can be told from the originals, it is difficult.  The detail in the glass and the clarity of the glass helps to identify the old from the new.   Jeannette National Giftware Ad  National Gift Ware  - (Late 1930s -1950s) (Crystal) -  National Gift Ware is a pattern that was introduced in the late 1930's.  We have an original glass ad from a Jeannette catalog from this time period.  National Gift Ware was a heavy vertical ribbed pattern.  Many, but not all of the pieces had tiny ringed circles in the bottom. Because of the heavy nature of the glass, this pattern was durable and not easily damaged. Pieces included a relish, a covered candy, a sugar and creamer, bowls of various sizes, pitchers, salt and pepper shakers, trays, a cigarette set, and vases.  This glassware was popular in both homes and eating establishments and remained in the Jeannette line for a good many years.   See More    Jeannette Pilgrim Catalog Page  Pilgrim (Thumbprint)  - (Late 1930s -1950s) (Ice Blue) (Crystal) (Crystal with Gold Decoration - Jeannette designed and produced  pieces in the Pilgrim pattern in the late 1930s.  Bowls, pitcher and  tumbler sets, stemware, and trays, were offered for sale in this interesting pattern of vertical spaced ovals.  The name "Thumbprint" immediately comes to mind. Almost every large glass company from this time period had their version of a Thumbprint pattern.  In the 1950s Jeannette used the Pilgrim molds in their  Shell Pink Milk Glass line. They renamed the pattern Thumbprint.  A small pitcher and tumbler set, goblets, and sherbets were offered for sale in this pretty color.   See More   Jeannette Shell Pink Punch Bowl  Shell Pink Milk Glass- (1958 - 1959) - In the late 1950s, pink milk glass became popular. Fostoria, Fenton, and Cambridge all had their versions of this color. The Jeannette Glass Company introduced Shell Pink in 1958 and discontinued this pretty color in 1959. Shell Pink Milk Glass was made in a variety of pieces which included a punch set, pitcher, tumbler, goblet, cookie jar, candlesticks, bowls, compotes, vases, a puff box, cigarette box, relish, snack set, honey jar, cake stand, lazy susan, creamer, sugar and lid, and a footed nut dish. Experimental items have been found which include an ashtray, the deer powder jar, and a large covered duck jar. Most of the pieces were made as accessory items to use alone or together. Jeannette used many different molds and patterns to put together this interesting assortment.  See More     Jeannette Sierra Butler Brothers Ad  Sierra (Pinwheel) - (1931 - 1933) (Green, Pink, Ultramarine) -  Sierra is a stylized pattern with sharp edges and vertical lines. The pinwheel scheme is embossed, which creates sharp edges on the surface of the glass.  The effect is beautiful, but due to the numerous uneven edges,  finding pieces of Sierra in undamaged condition is a challenge. The Pink ad Green colors are both popular, although finding green Sierra is a bit more taxing. The only piece of Sierra to have been found in Ultramarine is a cup, so if you are wanting to collect Jeannette's signature color, this pattern would not be for you.  If you are looking for a Deco Depression Era pattern in Pink or Green you will love this one.    Jeannette Sunburst 1940s Bowl AD  Sunburst - (Late 1930s -1940s ) (Crystal) - Sunburst was made by the Jeannette Glass Company in the late 1930's and 1940's.  Most of the pieces have the same mold shape as the Iris and Herringbone pattern listed above. Because of the similarity in shape, some Iris collectors buy pieces of the Sunburst design to use with their pattern.  The pattern gets its name from the starburst or sunray design that graces each piece.  Sunburst was available as a full service dinnerware set. It could be purchased as a 34 or 44 piece dinner set, or in a smaller luncheon set size.  Accessory pieces such as tumblers, and the bowl and candlesticks were offered for sale individually or in the larger sets.    Jeannette Green Sunflower Reamer Bottom  Sunflower - (1930s) - (Pink, Green, Delphite, Ultramarine, Experimental Colors) - Sunflower is a fairly large Depression Glass set that was made in the 1930's.  The shapes are very similar to Floral Poinsettia.  The only drawback to collecting this pretty pattern is the lack of serving pieces available.  There is no butter dish, platter, candy, or pitcher. Most people or not aware of the fact that Jeannette's 2 cup measuring cup often came with the Sunflower Motif in the bottom and that it was made to go with the set.   JeannetteSwirlUltraCreamSouplgSwirl - (1937- 1938) (Ultramarine, Pink, Delphite) -  Swirl or spiral patterns were popular during the Depression years and most major companies had their own version of a spiral pattern. The  Jeannette Glass Company produced a complete line of dinnerware with the swirl effect and named it aptly, Swirl. There are quite a few pink collectors, but Swirl was most popular in the Ultramarine color. Ultramarine was a deep turquoise blue color that Jeannette was famous for. The Ultramarine color had a tendency to vary in production.  Some pieces are almost a flat deep green color.  There are collectors for the deep rich Ultramarine color, and the more subdued "green."  When you are ordering from the internet you need to be sure that you know what color variation you are receiving.  Most dealers refer to the flat ultramarine color as green.  There are several experimental pieces that have been found in amber and ice blue.  This setting includes many serving pieces as well as a full size dinner plate. Some hard to find pieces are the candy dish, butter dish, and flat ice tea tumbler.   Jeannette Windsor Divided Tray  Windsor (1936-1946) - (Amberina, Crystal, Delphite, Green, Ice blue, Ruby) - Windsor was made by the Jeannette Glass Company. We have listed quite a few colors, but Windsor is commonly found in Crystal, Pink, and Green. You rarely find pieces of the other colors, and finding a complete set of any of them would be virtually impossible. Pink and Green seem to be the most collectible colors, however quite a few collectors look for crystal. Some hard to find items include cream soups, ice tea tumblers, and candlesticks.      Jeannette Glass Kitchenware Patterns and Colors  Delphite Ribbed Tea Canister  Delphite Jeannette (1930s - 40s) -  Jeannette made one of the largest lines of Delphite kitchenware during the depression years. The opaque blue color is stunning and captures the interest of people today as much as it did when it was made.  Several different syle canisters were made. A complete line of useful kitchen items such as reamers, leftover jars, and shakers were made to go with both canister styles. Cherry Blossom and Swirl, two of Jeannette's full service dinnerware sets were available in delphite.  Your entire kitchen area could be decorated in the Jeannette's beautiful Delphite color. The McKee Glass company also had a large line of Delphite kitchenware.  Today collectors mix McKee and Jeannette together to create a truly awesome collection. Jeannette Delphite Kitchen Items      Jeannette Green Embossed Salt Box  Green Transparent (Jeannette) (1930s) -The Jeannette Glass Company, made a large line of kitchenware in a pretty transparent green to match their Depression Glass dinnerware sets. Hex Optic which is a Jeannette luncheon set had an accompanying grouping of kitchen items to match in both green and pink.  Jeannette made kitchen ware pitchers, measuring cups, leftovers, covered salt and butter boxes, mugs, reamers, sugar shakers, ice buckets, and mixing bowls. They even made a leftover set with their famous Floral Poinsettia pattern embossed on the inside of the lid. Jeannette's green kitchenware was made to be used not only with Jeannette's Depression Glass sets, but also with any of their major competition's sets as well. The stylish designs insured that their products would be popular and appeal to many home shoppers. As a result, today it is still possible to add this pretty kitchenware to your kitchen decor.   Jeannette Jadite Floral Canister  Jadite Jeannette - (1930s) - Jeannette's Jadite, (sometimes spelled Jade-ite by other companies) came in two shades.  A dark jadite and a lighter one.  Jeannette's jadite colors were among the prettiest Jadite produced during the 1930's. Jeannette's Jadite Kitchenware line was one of the largest lines of jadite produced.  There were more pieces made in Jeannette's Jadite line than there were in their Delphite line.  The Jadite kitchenware had three different styles of canisters.  Many accompanying pieces were made to go with these canisters. A complete list of the pieces can be found on our other Jadite pages.  Many collectors of Jeannette's Jadite combine it with McKee's jadite kitchen items.     Jeannette Pale Yellow Sugar Shaker  Light Jade/Yellow (Jeannette) - (1930s) Most of the major Depression Era Companies had their version of yellow milk glass. The Jeannette Glass Company may have attempted to produce this color with their light jade (nearly yellow) paneled sugar shaker. Since this is the only light yellow piece that Jeannette made, it just may have been an occasional fluke in the composition of the glass used that day. However, other jade items are not found in this color which leads one to believe that the light yellowish color was intentional.  If so, it must not have created much interest among customers and Jeannette decided not to make other items in this color.     Jeannette Jenny Ware Bowl Set  Jenny Ware (Jeannette) - (1930s) (Crystal, Pink, Ultramarine) - Jeannette produced a very large line of kitchenware in a attractive patten called Jenny Ware.  This pretty ribbed pattern was made in crystal, pink, and ultramarine in the 1930s. The ultramarine color was designed to go with Jeannette's Ultramarine Depression Glass patterns. Pieces in this kitchenware pattern include a pitcher, tumblers, mixing bowls, round and rectangular leftovers, a butter, a reamer, and a four piece tab-handled measuring cup set. This is one of the nicest collections of transparent patterned kitchenware ever made. Jeannette was the only company to make an Ultramarine colored collection of kitchenware.    Jeannette Pink Salt Box  Pink Kitchen Glassware - (1930s) - Jeannette made many Pink Depression Era kitchen items.  They were an innovative company and added patterns to many of their kitchenware shapes. Most pink kitchenware will be found with a pattern.  Jenny Ware and Hex Optic patterns were very popular and sold well in the pink color.  Plain (non-patterned) kitchenware was made to use with the patterned kitchenware or with any Depression Era pattern.   

INDIANA GLASS COMPANY – MEMORIES AND POPULAR PATTERNS The early history of the companies and operations which became the Indiana Glass Company are confusing, convoluted and not terribly well documented!  Indiana Glass Company of Dunkirk IN, originally a part of Beatty-Brady Glass Company which was founded by James Beaty and George Brady in 1895, is known for some of its unique products and patterns. During this very early time, all products (the likes of glass lamps, vases and glass materials for domestic use) were hand blown. In October 1899 the partners sold their plant to the National Glass Company, which was a large conglomeration of nineteen different glass companies. Competition was keen in the glass making business, so these businesses pooled their resources to survive.  A National Glass Company man named Frank Merry was sent to head the Dunkirk plant, after this merger.  Eventually, Frank found he wanted to run a company of his own and he leased the local plant of National Glass in Dunkirk.  A few short years later, when the National Glass Company went into receivership after the 1907 “Banker’s Panic,” Frank had put himself in a position, along with a group of other businessmen, to purchase the Dunkirk plant and form the Indiana Glass Company. This acquisition made Indiana a leading producer of pressed and blown glassware at the time.  Frank Merry was president of the new company between 1909 and 1931 and in the early 1920s the company had annual sales of over $1,250,000 and employed 550 people.  THE INDIANA GLASS COMPANY WAS OFFICIALLY FORMED IN 1907, ACCORDING TO AN EARLY COMPANY LETTERHEAD. POPULAR PATTERNS OF THE EARLY INDIANA GLASS COMPANY YEARS : Produced while Indiana was a part of National Glass, starting from 1900 to 1930 (also known as “Early American Press Glass”) are the following patterns :  Horsemint  Sample of Pattern  Bethlehem Star  Pattern Sample  Panelled Daisy  Bird and Strawberry  Pattern Sample  Darling Grape  Silver Anniversary  Ferris Wheel (also known as Ruby Star)  Pattern Sample Image from indianaglass.carnivalheaven.com Garden Pink  Late Butterfly  Shooting Star  Pattern Sample Image from indianaglass.carnivalheaven.com  INDIANA GLASS COMPANY AND DEPRESSION GLASS While Indiana Glass is believed to be the longest producer of “Goofus Glass” – which is a whole other story that you may like to read about at Wikipedia – in these pages we want to know about the Indiana Glass Company‘s involvement with Depression Glass.  Example of Goofus Glass An example of early Indiana Glass Goofus Glass The story begins in 1923 when Indiana Glass introduced a pattern of glassware called Avocado, which is considered to be the very first Depression Glass Pattern.  Made for 11 years in four colors: green, pink, crystal and white milk glass, it is an Art Nouveau pattern luncheon and serving set comprised of 16 pieces and it is a great favorite among Depression Glass collectors.  POPULAR PATTERNS OF INDIANA DEPRESSION GLASS: Frosted Black – Produced in 1915, this pattern was a bit ahead of its time. Bright colours in intricate, block like patterns adorned the pieces. Common colours were crystal, light pink, uranium-yellow and light green.  Sweat Pear (Avocado) – Produced from 1923 – 1934, his was one of the first patterns created for genuine Depression glass. A couple of pairs atop a pile of leaves was the signature design in this pattern, and was of course, originally green. Other distinctive colours were produced as well, however, such as crystal and pink. The pattern was also produced on milk glass.  Horseshoe – also known as pattern No. 612. Produced during the Great Depression era of 1925 to 1940.  Bananas – Produced during the Great Depression era of 1925 to 1940.  Cracked Ice  Sandwich – “sandwich” pieces often had flowers in the middle surrounded by adornments. Scrolls, floral patterns and even dots could be seen around the centre.  Indiana Custard – Pieces often had a vine like pattern around the edges  Pyramid – also known as pattern No. 610. Produced during the Great Depression era of 1925 to 1940.  Hen on a Nest – Produced in the 1930s, these pieces were shaped like beaded hens sitting on patterned nests.  Hen on a Nest  Hen on a NestIndiana Glass Company Vernon – also known as pattern No. 616 Lorraine – Also known as pattern No. 615, this pattern was produced in 1929. This is one of the most high demand Indiana Glass pieces, adorned with floral designs.  Pineapple and Floral – also known as pattern No. 618. Produced during the Great Depression era of 1925 to 1940.  Old English – Produced during the Great Depression era of 1925 to 1940.  Tea Room – Produced during the Great Depression era of 1925 to 1940.  FEWER NEW GLASSWARE PATTERNS APPARENT DURING WARTIME : Like most glass making companies, for Indiana Glass Company, with the arrival of World War II came new priorities. Companies began to shift from pleasing the consumer to pleasing the country, and in an effort to play their parts in saving the world, they made some changes. Instead of producing fancy place settings for the common family, the glass companies began making things such as automobile headlights to use both at home and at war.  But the beautiful glass wasn’t forgotten in times of war. Shortly after the war ended, demand resumed, and restaurants began demanding a recent innovation: heat resistant milk glass. The glass was soon a staple in 1950s diners, and is still considered by many today to be a symbol for its time. In the United States, air conditioning was quickly becoming increasingly popular in the 1950s, and teenagers would flock to the diners for gatherings on hot afternoons, creating the all American image of the 50s diners that so many replicate today.  Popular Classic Glass (Produced from 1940 to 1970):  Christmas Candy  Teardrop  Daisy and Button  Orange Blossom  Garland  Magnolia  Wild Rose  Park Lane  Soon, however, demand began to slow for Indiana Glass Company, as it did for many in the industry shortly after their “big boom.” A few companies experienced continued interest that remained reliable, and those companies typically absorbed the ones that crashed. In 1957, Indiana became part of Lancaster Glass Company, and then became a part of a sister company, Colony Glass. The company continued to produce pieces until 2002, after the bankruptcy of a major seller at the time, Kmart.  You may like to view this informative and moving video :   Although, sadly, now no longer in operation, the Indiana Glass Company, through a number of acquisitions, mergers and major company changes, managed to be one of the few original producers of Depression glass to remain in production for so long.

Indiana Glass Company Indiana Glass nameplate.png Type Private company Industry Glassware Founded 1907 in Dunkirk, Indiana Founder Frank Merry Defunct 2002 Headquarters Dunkirk, Indiana, USA Key people Frank W. Merry, Charles L. Gaunt Products pressed and blown glassware including lamp fonts, lamps and tableware Number of employees 1,300+ (1979) Indiana Glass Company manufactured pressed, blown and hand-molded glassware and tableware for almost 100 years. Predecessors to the company began operations in Dunkirk, Indiana, in 1896 and 1904, when East Central Indiana experienced the Indiana gas boom. The start date for the company is considered 1907, when a group of investors led by Frank W. Merry formed a company to buy the Dunkirk glass plant that belonged to the bankrupt National Glass Company. National Glass was a trust for glass tableware that originally owned 19 glass factories including the plant in Dunkirk. National Glass went bankrupt in 1907, and its assets were sold in late 1908.  Indiana Glass Company mostly made tableware, lamps, and vases although it had additional products. Collectors consider the company a manufacturer of Depression glass, Goofus glass, and Carnival glass. One well known customer was the A&W drive-in chain that featured mugs of A&W Root Beer, and Indiana Glass was the original manufacturer of root beer mugs for that company. Another major customer was Kmart.  During 1957, Lancaster Lens Company acquired a controlling interest in Indiana Glass. Lancaster Lens Company was renamed Lancaster Glass Company, but Indiana Glass continued to be a separate entity. By the 1960s, a reorganization had Indiana Glass Company as a subsidiary of Lancaster Colony Corporation. Indiana Glass had a resurgence in sales during the 1970s, and began marketing some of its tableware for the home through Lancaster Colony's Tiara Exclusives. Indiana Glass continued operating in Dunkirk until November 2002, when the plant was closed. Although a glass plant owned by Lancaster Colony continued operating in Oklahoma under the name Indiana Glass Company, that plant was shut down in 2008.  Background See also: Indiana gas boom old map of Jay County, Indiana and adjacent area in Blackford County and Delaware County Eaton, Dunkirk, and Portland, Indiana During the late 1880s, the discovery of natural gas started an economic boom period in East Central Indiana. Gas was first found in Delaware County's town of Eaton and adjacent Jay County's city of Portland[1][2] Manufacturers were lured to the region to take advantage of the low cost fuel. Jay County, a rural county in East Central Indiana, had only 210 people working in manufacturing in 1880.[3] By 1900, the county had over 1,423 people employed at manufacturing plants that were mostly glass factories.[Note 1] East Central Indiana became the state’s major manufacturing center.[6]  Beatty-Brady Glass Company See also: List of Blackford County Glass Factories In 1895, the Pennsylvania Railroad built a large structure along its railing in Dunkirk, Indiana, close to the southeast corner of Blackford County but inside Jay County.[Note 2] The building was intended to be used for railroad freight car repair, but never used. In 1896, the building was sold to George Beatty and James Brady, who started the Beatty-Brady Glass Company.[9] By 1900, this glass plant employed 225 people, and their products were tableware.[4]  During 1888 through 1890, most glass factories in the United States had financial difficulty.[10] The United States had six economic contractions between 1880 and 1900.[11] Deflation was a problem, and the term depression has been used to describe that economic time instead of simply recession. A banking crisis occurred in 1893.[12] In addition to the difficult economic times, the Beatty-Brady Glass Company had more problems. During March 1899, George Beatty was arrested in Portland, Indiana, on six different complaints. All complaints were related to anti-union activity, and the action was said to begin "a big fight between organized and nonunion labor, and will be watched with interest all over the country..."[13] Shortly afterwards, the matter was forwarded directly to Indiana's Supreme Court.[14]  National Glass Company old advertisement from 1903 for a glass trust and its factories National Glass Company 1903 In November 1899, the Beatty-Brady Glass Company was sold to the National Glass Company, a glass tableware trust that started as 19 glass companies.[15] The National Glass Company factories were unionized, and their Dunkirk plant (Beatty-Brady Glass Company) became unionized January 1, 1900.[16] The National Glass Company had its own difficulties, and was in financial trouble by 1903.[10] Although it began with 19 factories, three had been dismantled by 1904. It also had three destroyed by fire (and not rebuilt), and had several that were left idle and not maintained. On January 22, 1904, it was announced that they would shrink their workforce and try a new way of operating—leasing their plants to others. Among the plants leased was the Dunkirk plant (the Beatty-Brady plant), and it was leased by Frank W. Merry.[17] The changes were made because the conglomerate had financial difficulties, and it sold or closed several of its glass plants to raise capital.[15] The Dunkirk lease was announced in Indianapolis as "a new organization...will now operate the Beatty-Brady glass factory heretofore controlled by the National Glass Company." The new company was named Indiana Glass Company, and was said to have capital stock of $125,000. ($125,000 in 1904 is equivalent to $3,600,463 in 2020.) Merry was president.[18] On February 10, the 250 men employed at the Dunkirk plant went on strike over issues with National Glass Company.[19] The issues between the National Glass Company and union employees were settled in two weeks, and work resumed.[20]  Beginning old photo of a dignified man with wire rim glasses Frank J. Merry Sources do not always agree on the start date for Dunkirk's Indiana Glass Company. An unrelated Indiana Glass Company existed from 1892 to 1896 in Indiana, Pennsylvania.[21] An Indiana Glass Works was inspected in Dunkirk in 1901, but its product was listed as bottles—and the Beatty-Brady Glass Company, a maker of tableware, was also inspected.[22] At the beginning of 1903, Frank W. Merry was sent by National Glass Company to Dunkirk to run the Beatty-Brady plant. Merry "helped promote the organization of the Indiana Glass Company" in Dunkirk in 1904, and he was elected president of the company.[23] The new company was announced in January 1904 when Merry leased the Dunkirk glass works owned by the National Glass Company.[18] The Indiana Department of Inspection listed Indiana Glass Company as having 256 employees in 1904, and its products were "pressed and blown glass". There was no Beatty-Brady Glass Company or Indiana Glass Works listed.[24] However, 1904 is not considered the start date for Indiana Glass, as most sources list 1907 as the start date for the company.[Note 3]  In 1907, National Glass Company defaulted on the interest payments for its bonds, and a bank brought suit for the foreclosure of mortgages that were used as security. National Glass went into receivership during December 1907.[29] During the year, Frank Merry and associates formed a company to buy the Dunkirk glass plant. The assets of National Glass were sold at auction during November 1908.[30] The purchase of the Dunkirk plant was final in 1909, and Frank Merry continued as president.[Note 4] The major stockholders were Frank Merry, Henry J. Batsch, Harold H. Phillips, Charles W. Smalley, Rathburn Fuller, and James E. Merry.[9] Management from this time until 1915 included James Merry as vice president, Phillips as secretary and treasurer, and Batsch as factory manager.[31]  In 1915, Smalley replaced James Merry as vice president. In 1916, Charles L. Gaunt replaced Phillips as secretary and treasurer.[31] The board of directors as of 1921 consisted of Frank Merry, Smalley, Gaunt, Batsch, and Fuller.[32]  Early operations old advertisement for Indiana Glass and its showrooms Indiana Glass Co. 1921 Natural gas was the original fuel used by glass factories in the Dunkirk area to heat their furnaces. However, this fuel, which is desirable for glassmaking because it can heat evenly, became depleted in the region by 1905. Indiana Glass used coal from West Virginia and Kentucky to make coal gas to use as their fuel for glassmaking. Dunkirk has a railroad line that crosses the town providing a transportation resource for coal and raw materials. Sand from Ottawa, Illinois, soda ash from Detroit mills, and lime from northern Ohio were major raw materials brought to Dunkirk for glass making.[33]  A trade magazine noted in 1916 that Indiana Glass had started "tank No. 3, which places this plant to operating at capacity."[34] In March, a "Daubinspeck" automatic tumbler machine was placed on tank number 3.[Note 5] Later in the year, it also noted that the company was again operating at full capacity and had many large orders for tumblers and table ware.[38]  In 1921, the Company was described as producing "pressed table glassware and lamps", and "cold color and fixed decorated glassware".[39] It had sample rooms for its products in major cities such as New York, Philadelphia, Boston, Baltimore, Chicago, St. Louis, St. Paul, and San Francisco.[40] A customer of the company's barware products that became well known was the chain of A&W Root Beer stands. Indiana Glass was a long time producer of mugs for A&W Root Beer.[41]  At the start of World War II, glass plants began making less glassware for the home and more for warfare such as lenses for aircraft, trucks, and naval vessels. Tableware production resumed in the 1950s, but demand was down.[42]  In 1953, Indiana Glass president Charles L. Gaunt announced that his company acquired a controlling interest in the Sneath Glass Company, which had been closed by a strike. The acquisition enabled the company to use Sneath's recipe for heat resistant glass—bolstering their large assortment of glassware products. At the time, Indiana Glass was considered a leader in barware, stemware, decorative crystal tableware, and novelties. Blown and pressed ware were manufactured by hand and machine.[27]  Making molded glassware diagram of a machine Glassware machinery Glass begins as a batch of ingredients (sand, soda, lime, and other ingredients) heated in a furnace.[43] The furnace heats the batch to a temperature as high as 3,000 °F (1,650 °C), which causes the batch to melt together and make molten glass.[44] For glass blown into a mold, a glass blower (human or machine) extracts a small gob of molten glass that is blown into, and shaped by, a mold. For machine made pressed glass, the molten glass moves to a machine that drops a precisely measured gob of glass into a mold. The mold moves away from the site of injection, and the glass cools. Dunkirk's Benjamin F. Gift received a patent in 1916 for a glassware making machine that received a gob of molten glass, then moved the mold away while allowing the glass to cool, then discharged the glassware from the mold.[45] When the partially cooled glass is extracted from the mold, it is placed on a glazer, where rough edges are smoothed and polished by flames.[Note 6] From the glazer, the product is placed on a lehr (a long conveyor inside an oven) where the glass is gradually cooled—a process called annealing. At the far end of the lehr, packers remove the glass and get it ready for shipping. In 1931, Indiana Glass employee Jeddiah B. Clark received a patent for an improved process for transferring molten glass (or gobs) to glass blowing or pressing machines.[47] He also received a patent in 1936 for the design of a revolving tray for holding containers inside a refrigerator.[48]  Lancaster Colony Corporation In 1957, the Lancaster Lens Corporation acquired controlling interest in Indiana Glass. Robert K. Fox, president of Lancaster Lens, became president of both companies. George M. Morton, Vice President of Indiana Glass, became Vice President of both companies.[49] A month later Lancaster Lens changed its name to Lancaster Glass Corporation. The new name was said to "give a more accurate definition" of the company's manufacturing activities.[50] Lancaster Colony Corporation was organized in Delaware in 1961 as a holding company.[51] By 1963, Lancaster Colony subsidiaries included four non-glass companies plus Indiana Glass, Lancaster Glass, and Bischoff Glass Company.[52]  Tiara Tiara Exclusives, a multi-level marketing company owned by Lancaster Colony, began on July 1, 1970. Glassware made by the companies owned by Lancaster Colony (including Indiana Glass), was sold via home parties—similar to the way Tupperware is marketed. Initially, Tiara was a success, providing part-time work for many homemakers. It employed 750 party-plan counselors by 1972.[53] The glassware sold through Tiara that was made by Indiana Glass was often produced using old patterns.[54]  Peak years By 1977, Indiana Glass was the fifth-ranking glassware producer in the country. It had sales of machine made glassware of about $36 million, and employed over 1,000 people at its Dunkirk facility.[55] When Lancaster Colony tried to acquire Federal Glass Company in 1977 to merge with Indiana Glass, the Federal Trade Commission was opposed because of concern that a merger "may substantially lessen competition and tend to create a monopoly."[55] At its peak in 1979, the Dunkirk facility employed about 1,300 people, and also had a plant in Sapulpa, Oklahoma.[56]  Decline Low-priced glassware imports were a problem for the domestic glassware producing industry. In 1986, Indiana Glass closed one of its Dunkirk facilities because of competition from imports. About 200 employees lost their jobs and received trade adjustment assistance and training from the federal government. Some of the increased competition was the result of the Caribbean Basin Initiative and the Israel–United States Free Trade Agreement, which caused a huge increase in glassware imports.[57] Indiana Glass was the third largest domestic producer of glassware, but became troubled financially. Near the end of the year, it employed about 600 people.[56]  Lancaster Colony Corporation, which reincorporated in Ohio effective January 2, 1992, had multiple businesses. Its Glass and Candles segment accounted for 27 percent of its net sales for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1994. Indiana Glass and Tiara were important trademarks for the company at that time.[51] Tiara was discontinued November 1998.[58] The closing of Tiara had a negative impact on sales for 1999.[59] By 2002, the Glassware and Candles segment for Lancaster Colony had declining revenue for three years in a row, and experienced some losses due to the bankruptcy filing of Kmart Corporation.[60]  Products Indiana Glass Company had many glass patterns, and is considered by collectors to be a manufacturer of Depression Glass.[28] The company was also a manufacturer of what collectors call Goofus glass, which was cheaply made glass with painted decorations. A third category of glassware associated with the company, also very low cost, is called Carnival glass.[61] The company also made barware. In 1919, Indiana Glass began making a 10 ounce beer mug. This mug was used by A&W for root beer at its A&W Root Beer stands. In the early 1920s, Indiana Glass introduced a child-sized mug that held 3.5 ounces and was used by A&W for children.[41]  Some of the more well-known Depression Glass patterns are Avocado, Indiana Custard, Pyramid, Sandwich, and Tea Room. Avocado is the name used by collectors for the Indiana Glass pattern number 601.[62] It was originally made from 1923 to 1933 in crystal, green, and pink. The pattern is sometimes called Sweet Pear because the "avocado" design actually looks more like a pear.[63] The pattern was revived, using 15 new colors plus pink and green, for the company's products sold through Tiara Exclusives in the 1970s through 1990s.[Note 7]  Indiana Custard is the collector name for Flower and Leaf Band ware that was made from the 1930s to the 1950s. The pattern was used for coffee sets (bowl, cup and saucer, platter, sugar, creamer) using an opaque glass of custard color with decorated bands. A milk glass version was called Orange Blossom.[64]  Pyramid is a pattern name used by collectors for the Indiana Glass pattern number 610. This pattern was made from 1926 to 1932. In 1974 and 1975, reproductions were made using black and blue glass that had not been used earlier for this pattern.[65] The black or blue reproductions were made for Tiara Exclusives and used in homes.[66] The original Pyramid products were intended for commercial use, but were also used in homes. This pattern had angular designs considered avant-garde during the late 1920s, while most pressed glass from that time featured floral patterns.[67]  The Sandwich pattern, Indiana Glass version, was made from the 1920s through the 1980s. (Anchor Hocking also had a Sandwich pattern.) For certain colors, the color of the glass for this pattern can be used to approximate the decade the glass was made.[68] Tiara Exclusives was selling the Sandwich pattern in 1980.[69]  Tea Room is another pattern intended for commercial use, but also used in homes. Like Pyramid, it had an angular design considered avant-garde for the late 1920s.[67] The pattern was marketed for use in tea rooms, ice cream parlors, and soda fountains.[70] Tea Room was made only from 1926 to 1931. However, its art deco appearance has made it popular with collectors. The Tea Room dinner sets were made in crystal, amber, green, and pink glass.[71]  End Members of the American Flint Glass Workers Union went on strike at the Indiana Glass plant in Dunkirk on October 8, 2001.[72] At the time, the country was experiencing a small recession.[73] Negotiations for a new labor agreement were still ongoing by mid-December, and several confrontations between workers and company guards happened during the strike.[72] The strike lasted three months. Production was restarted, but did not last long. Lancaster Colony ceased production at the Dunkirk factory of Indiana Glass during November 2002. About 240 workers immediately lost their jobs.[74] The reason for the shutdown was economic—business had been down over the last three years. Lancaster Colony owned another glass plant in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, and considered that plant as part of Indiana Glass.[75] After the shutdown at the Dunkirk facility, production continued at the Sapulpa plant under the Indiana Glass name.[76]  Glassmaking ends In 2006, the activist hedge fund Barington Capital Group began an effort to force Lancaster Colony to eliminate its glassmaking business. In addition, it wanted the debt-free company to take on debt so it could buy back some of its stock. By 2007, Barington (which owned 5.2 percent of Lancaster Colony) began to achieve its goal. Lancaster Colony closed its Lancaster Glass plant and its Indiana Glass plant in Oklahoma. In October, the company announced that it would buy back two million shares of its stock by June 2008.[77]

Kemple Glass from the Glass Encyclopedia John and Geraldine Kemple met during the war, and formed their glass company in 1945. John was a fifth generation glassmaker and Geraldine owned a gift shop when they met. They bought antique moulds most of which had originally been used to make pressed glass in imitation of clear cut crystal glass. They used these moulds to make milk glass reproductions from 1945 to 1970 (when John Kemple died). During the 1960's they also made coloured glass items from the same moulds, including various shades of yellow which they called by names such as "Light Amber" and "Honey Amber". Their reproductions were clearly marked with labels stating that they were reproductions, and a distinguishing letter K was sometimes (but not always) added to the moulds.  Their first mould purchases (around 1944) were mostly for novelty items like trinket boxes, trays, jars, fancy plates and candlesticks). In 1946 they bought some moulds from a Mr. Tuska of New York. These were famous 19th century designs some of which had been used by the Phoenix Glass Company in the 1930's and early 1940's. Between 1950 and 1957 the Kemples bought another 300 molds, this time from the McKee company before and after it was sold to Thatcher Glass. These included the "Prescut" series with such designs as Aztec, Toltec, Sextec, Martec, Bontec, Carltec, Plutec, Quintec, Valtec, and Yutec. Each of these was produced by Kemple in several items. The Yutec series was one of the most popular.  In 1970, when John Kemple died, Mrs Kemple sold over 800 molds to the Wheaton Historical Association. They made reproductions from some of these between 1970 and1979 in a range of colours. Initially they were marketed as "Wheatonware" and sold through "home parties" by independent contractors. In 1975 they were marketed as "Wheatoncraft" and sold through more conventional outlets. The McKee molds were used for both Wheatonware and Wheatoncraft, in amber, blue, green and pearl crystal. They were marketed as "Kemple Collectors Items" and initially carried the Kemple K, but a small w was then added to the K at the request of Geraldine Kemple. Since 1979 the molds have been in storage and so far as we know, further reproductions have not been made. 

John E. Kemple Glass Works Company History John E. Kemple Glass Works, East Palestine, Ohio (1945-1956) and Kenova, West Virginia (1956-1970).  Started by John E. Kemple and his wife Geraldine. John was descended from five generations of glassmakers and had previously worked at the Fostoria Glass Company. Geraldine had worked in advertising, and owned her own gift shop. For years they had thought of opening their own glass company and in May of 1945 they sold the gift shop and used the money to help finance the John E. Kemple Glass Works. The Kemples worked hard to make the business a success and during its peak the company employed about fifty workers. When the building they were leasing burned to the ground in 1956 they purchased the Gill Glass Works factory in Kenova, West Virginia. Always a family run enterprise, John managed the factory while Geraldine ran the sales room, the office, and conducted tours. When John fell ill in 1967 Geraldine continued to run the business while caring for her husband, but when he died in 1970 she decided to close the company and retire.  Molds: Beginning in 1944 (a year before they opened) the Kemples acquired several hundred molds that had previously belonged to the Mannington Art Glass Company of West Virginia. These were mainly for novelty items, some of which dated from the late 1800s and had originated with companies such as Gillinder & Sons and the Dithridge Glass Company. Additional molds, including patterns such as Lace and Dewdrop, Ivy-in-Snow and Moon and Star Variant were obtained in 1946 from H. M. Tuska, a New York distributor. Most of the Tuska molds can be traced back to the Co-operative Flint Glass Company, and possibly to the Wilson Glass Company of Tarentum, Pennsylvania before that. During the 1950s another 300+ molds were purchased from the McKee Glass Company. These included molds for several EAPG patterns, such as Aztec, Martec, and Toltec, as well as some covered animal dishes and other novelty items. These and other smaller purchases led to Kemple owning more than 1,100 molds by the end of its twenty-five year history. When the company closed the majority of these were sold to Wheaton Industries of Millville, NJ who continued to produce many of the items as part of their Wheatonware line. In 1975 the molds were moved to the Museum of American Glass at Wheaton Village where they still reside.

The Fenton Art Glass Company is a glass manufacturer founded in 1905 by brothers Frank L. Fenton and John W. Fenton.  History The original factory was in an old glass factory in Martins Ferry, Ohio in 1905.[1] The factory at one time was owned by the former West Virginia Glass Company.[2] At first they painted glass blanks from other glass makers, but started making their own glass when they became unable to buy the materials they needed.[2] They moved across the Ohio river to Williamstown, West Virginia, and built a factory in 1906. The first year for glass production was 1907.[1] In 1908 John Fenton left the company and founded the Millersburg glass company in Millersburg, OH.[1]  Frank Fenton was the designer and decorator. From 1905 to 1920, the designs made there were heavily influenced by two other glass companies: Tiffany and Steuben. But the many different colors were the work of Jacob Rosenthal, a famous glass chemist who is known for developing chocolate and golden agate glass.[3] Towards the end of 1907, the Fenton brothers were the first to introduce carnival glass, which later became a popular collector's item.[4]  During the Great Depression and World War II, Fenton produced practical items (such as mixing bowls and tableware) due to shortages. At the same time, they continued creating new colors. Towards the end of the Great Depression they also produced perfume bottles for the Wrisley Company in 1938. The bottles were made in French opalescent glass with the hobnail pattern.[5]  In 1940, Fenton started selling Hobnail items in French Opalescent, Green Opalescent and Cranberry Opalescent. The Hobnail pattern glass would become the top-selling line and allowed the Fenton company to exist during WWII and to expand after the war.  In the late 1940s, the top three members of Fenton's management died. Frank Fenton and Wilmer C. "Bill" Fenton immediately stepped in and took over the positions of President and Vice President, respectively. Over the next thirty years, they continued to expand Fenton Art Glass, despite a large number of glass factories closing down.  In 1986, George W. Fenton, Frank's son, took over as President of the company.[6]  Maker marks In 1970, the company added their logo to the bottom of their "Original Formula" Carnival Glass pieces to distinguish them from their older Carnival Glass pieces. By 1974, Fenton was putting their logo on all the pieces they made. Pieces made in the 1980s have the number eight under the letter "n" in the logo, pieces from the 1990s have the number nine and pieces made in the 2000s have a 0 in the same place.[7] From June 1996 to July 1998 Fenton marked preferred seconds sold in their gift shop with a sandblasted solid or hollow star.[8] In August 1998 an F replaced the star.[8]  Another type of mark is found on glass baskets. Where the glass handles of the baskets are attached to the base of the basket a stamp is made.[9] Each handler had a specific pattern to help identify which handler attached the handle.[9] The marks began in the 1950s and were instituted by Frank M. and Bill Fenton.[9]  Item codes Fenton used a coding system to describe the items it produced.[10] The code used numbers for the pattern and letters for the color.[10] There were also letter codes for any decorations.[11]  Patterns Example of a Fenton Persian Medallion bowl Persian Medallion in marigold Example of a Fenton Basket Weave plate. Green opalescent Basket Weave plate Some of the patterns used on items produced by Fenton were:  Name Years Produced Description Reference Cherry Chain Distinguished by groups of cherries in a circular pattern. [12] Coin Dot 1947, 1952–54, 1956–64 A pattern made by using opalescent glass that was a copy the Polka Dot Victorian pattern. [13] Dragon and Lotus This pattern is possibly available in more colors than other patterns. [14] Hobnail An even arrangement of bumps similar to that found on the bottom parts of hobnail boots. [15] Open Edge Also referred to as Basket weave. The pattern is on the outside of the bowl, basket, or plate and the edge has two rows of holes around it. Three rows of holes were also made. [16] Panther This is an interior pattern showing two large cats, the outside pattern is Butterfly and Berry. All pieces have balled feet. [17] Persian Medallion Embroidered medallions in a ring. Used on plates, bowls, and bonbons. [18] Colors and combinations Fenton made hundreds of different colors of glass over the time they were open.[19]  Carnival colors[20] The color of carnival glass is the color of the applied treatment not the color of the piece of glass.[20]  Name Years Produced Description Reference Amberina A fiery red blended to yellow. [20] Amethyst A deep to pale purple. [20] Blue Pale to deep blue. [20] Cobalt Blue A deep shade of blue and the most sought after. [20] Independence Blue 1975-76 A cobalt blue carnival treatment made during the U.S.Bicentennial. [21] Green This color ranges from a deep green to a light yellow green. [20] Marigold A yellow orange color. [20] Red A red color that is deep when held to a light. [20] Rich Marigold Orange-red in appearance. [20] Opalescent colors[22]  Name Years Produced Description Reference Amethyst Opalescent [22] Blue Opalescent 1959-64, 1978–81 Appears at odd times after 1907 till 1959. [22][23] Cameo Opalescent 1920's, 1979–82 Brown to tan in color. [23] Cranberry Opalescent 1956-1989 Mainly made in hobnail and coin dot pattern molds. [23] French Opalescent 1956-68, 1980 Also called Crystal. Clear class. Made in hobnail, Coin Dot molds, also Mandarin and Empress vases. [22][23] Green Opalescent 1959-61 Can be a jade color to a lime green. [22][23] Plum Opalescent 1959-62 Created by attempting to make a cranberry opalescent that could be used in pressed molds. A deep purple color. [23] Topaz Opalescent 1940-44, 1959–62, 1980 A yellow uranium glass. Used in Hobnail, Coin Dot, Cactus, and Lily of the Valley pattern molds. [23] Crests This color combination consists of glass of a different color added to the rim of a piece.[24]  Name Years Produced Description Reference Aqua Crest 1940-42, 48-53 Milk Glass with a blue edge. [25] Black Rose 1953-54 Peach Blow with a black edge. [25] Blue Ridge 1939 French Opalescent with a blue edge. [25] Crystal Crest 1942 Milk glass with a double row of crystal and white glass. [25] Emerald Crest 1949-55 Also called Green Crest in 1949. [25] Gold Crest 1943-45 Yellow glass on the edge of Milk glass items. [25] Ivory Crest 1940-41 Custard glass with a crystal edge. [25] Peach Crest 1940-69 A cased glass with milk glass on the outside and ruby on the inside with a crystal edge. [23] Silver Crest 1943 onwards A crystal edge on milk glass.  Marble or slag A type of glass that is opaque and streaked. It is usually a glass pressed in molds rather than being blown.[26]  Name Years Produced Description Reference Blue Marble 1970-73 Blue with swirls of white. [23] Chocolate Glass 1907-1910, 1976 Also called Carmel slag. Created by glass maker Jacob Rosenthal. [27] Overlays Overlays are a type of cased glass. Cased glass is made up of different colors in layers.[28]  Name Years Produced Description Reference Apple Green overlay 1961 A light green glass over milk glass. [23] Blue overlay 1943-53, 1967, 1971 Blue glass over milk glass. [23][25] Coral overlay 1961 A peach glass over milk glass. [23] Gold overlay 1949 Milk glass with an amber overlay. [25] Green overlay 1949-53 Milk glass covered in green glass. [25] Ivy 1949-52 Dark green over white glass. [25] Rose overlay 1943-48 Milk glass cased with light pink glass. [25] Shelly Green overlay 1967 Colonial green over milk glass, used only on lamps. [23] Vasa Murrhina is a cased glass, the name means vessel of gems. This type of glass has a long history pre dating Fenton. Frank M. Fenton had glass chemist Charles Goe develop a way to make it since the way it was made was long forgotten. The piece starts out as a ball of glass that is rolled in small pieces of broken glass called frit. Then another layer of crystal was gathered over the frit.[29]  Name Years Produced Description Reference Adventurine Green 1964-68 Blue and green frit over a milk glass base [29] Autumn Orange 1965-67 Brown and orange frit over an opal glass base. [29] Blue Mist 1965-67 Blue frit over a crystal base. [29] Red Mist 1965-67 Red frit over a crystal base. [29] Fenton has an extensive line of MILK GLASS that also is offered in an array of patterns.  Decorations Fenton had a long history of decorating glass that goes back to its beginnings in 1905.[1] The Fenton Art Glass company started out as a decorating company that purchased blanks from glass manufacturers and placed their own decorations on them.[2] Fenton did not manufacturer glass until 1907 a year after the Williamstown, WV plant was built.[2]  Decorations found on three or more shapes  Name Years Produced Description Glass type Code Reference Apple Blossom 1969-70 Painted pink flowers. Silver crest AB [11] Bluebells on Hobnail 1971-72 Painted blue flowers. Hobnail milk glass BB [11] Bluebirds 1977-79 Painted bluebirds Custard glass BC [11] Transfer leaves 1970-72 Transfer decoration of oak leaves Burmese BD [11] Blue Dogwood 1980-82 Blue flowers with five petals. A mistake in naming that stuck because Dogwood only has 4 petals. Cameo Satin BL, BQ [11][30] Blue Roses 1978-83 The first item to be painted with the decoration was an egg. Blue Satin and Custard glass BL [11] Butterflies 1977-78 Butterflies and yellow and blue flowers Milk glass BY [11] Violets in the snow 1969-84 Tiny violets, also called decorated violets. Silver crest and Milk glass DV [11] Closure On August 9, 2007, Fenton Art Glass sent out a press release stating they would "cease... operations over the next few months."  Their plans involved laying off 25 employees immediately, and in the following weeks, the rest of their workers would be laid off.[31] However, on December 4, 2007, Fenton Art Glass released a press statement, saying that due to an unexpected buying frenzy and internal restructuring, the company would stay open until at least the spring of 2008.[32] In an open letter in August 2008, company president George Fenton said that thanks to the buying frenzy, the company had been able to institute some reforms, and wouldn't be closing in the foreseeable future.[33]  On July 6, 2011, Fenton Art Glass sent out a press release stating they would "wind down production of its collectible and giftware glass products."  According to WTAP TV, "The company cites financial challenges since its restructuring in 2007 and recent developments as factors in its decision to shut down its traditional glassmaking business. Fenton Art Glass says it's exploring the sales of one or more of its product lines."[34]  Fenton ceased "traditional" glassmaking at the Williamstown, WV factory in July 2011. However, the factory remained open as a jewelry making operation, producing handcrafted glass beads and Teardrop earrings. The Fenton Gift Shop, located in the same building, also had a large quantity of glass remaining in their inventory. Visitors to the factory were still able to watch the beadmaking demonstrations and purchase Fenton Art Glass.  In June 2017, Wood County Schools Superintendent John Flint signed an agreement to purchase the land that the former Fenton Glass Factory occupied. In October 2017, it was announced that demolition of the factory buildings would begin by the end of 2017, and that the new school, to be named the Williamstown-Waverly Elementary School, will occupy the factory's employee and visitor parking areas. Art glass using the original Fenton mold designs, including the Fenton emblem, continues to be produced at another factory in nearby Ohio, while handcrafted jewelry and hand painted items will continue to be offered at the new Fenton Art Glass Gift Shop at 2242 Williams Highway, Williamstown, WV 26187.[35][36][37]  Continuing the glass bead jewelry tradition In 2015, Fenton's glass bead jewelry business was purchased by John Barton Company of Philadelphia, PA. Today, the company operates a manufacturing and fulfillment center in Philadelphia, producing glass beads for the wholesale and retail markets, as well as selling directly to consumers through an online store.

In the world of handcrafted colored glass, Fenton Art Glass stands in a class by itself. Maybe you’ve found Carnival glass or milk glass collectibles at a local estate sale. If so, you have firsthand knowledge of how beautiful Fenton Art Glass pieces can be..  If you’re intrigued by Fenton Art Glass, you’ve come to the right place. We’re covering everything about these phenomenal pieces. In this post, you’ll learn how Fenton Art Glass started, and we’ll discuss its various styles and patterns. Plus, you’ll find out how to identify authentic Fenton glassware products (including Carnival glass) and view several examples of Fenton glass values. Finally, you’ll learn how you can add this beautiful glassware to a place of honor in your home.  HISTORY OF FENTON ART GLASS Fenton Art Glass was in business for over 100 years. During that time, it created decorative and functional glassware pieces using only traditional methods. In its era, it was the largest United States-based manufacturer of colorful glass collectibles.  Fenton Art Glass’ claim to fame was its stunning glass colors. In particular, glass chemist Jacob Rosenthal developed the rich-looking chocolate glass and golden agate glass hues. Amethyst, aqua, ruby red, and topaz Fenton glassware also drew collectors’ attention over the years. In addition to its blown and pressed glassware, Fenton added unique decorative elements to its glass. In fact, many glass collectibles display intricate hand-painted motifs.  Fenton Art Glass Opens for Business in 1905 Fenton Art began as a glassware painting business in 1905. Skilled Fenton painters created intricate patterns on existing glass “blanks” produced by other glassmaking companies. After a few years, the Ohio-based company decided to start making its own line of glass. So it moved its operations to West Virginia, which was abundant with glassmaking materials.  In 1908, Fenton Glass Art boldly introduced its popular Carnival glass line. The glassware was striking. It featured an iridescent finish inspired by fine Tiffany and Steuben iridescent glass. In fact, Carnival iridescent glass received the nickname “Poor Man’s Tiffany” glass. However, this mildly derogatory name didn’t discourage families from purchasing the colorful glassware.  Fenton Ceases All Manufacturing Operations in 2011 After 100 years in business, Fenton Art Glass shuttered its glass making plant in 2011. Afterward, another Ohio glassmaker acquired the molds and currently produces an assortment of Fenton-stamped collectibles. The Fenton Gift Shop in Williamstown, West Virginia carries the newly minted “Fenton” products.  VINTAGE FENTON GLASSWARE INVENTORY Fenton Art Glass produced an impressive variety of useful and decorative glassware. Pieces such as candy dishes and compotes are functional, while bells and hats are purely whimsical. Either way, all the Fenton glass pieces are quite collectible. Here are some examples of the most popular vintage Fenton glassware pieces:  Banana Boats Bon Bon Bowls Candy Dishes Compotes (including Mini Compotes) Bells Hats Decorative Plates Figurines Baskets (glass) Glass Bowls (including Footed and Ruffled Bowls) Pitchers (with Tumblers)- glass Glass Vases (especially Swung Vases) Hatpin Holders Jars (Without Lids) Lamps Nut Bowls Shaving Mugs Toothpick Holders FENTON ART GLASS STYLES AND PATTERNS Fenton Art Glass is known for its rich, vibrant colors and sculpted motifs. During its 100+ years in business, it produced several pressed glass styles and patterns.  Most pieces were fabricated in clear crystal, although Fenton also produced some colored satin glassware.  However, those glassware pieces were only made for a few years.  Carnival Glass Fenton’s Carnival glass gets its iridescent shine from the metallic or mineral salts added during the manufacturing cycle. Carnival glass is available in a rainbow of colors. Marigold is the most common hue, with amethyst/purple, blue, and green closely behind. The glassware is also known for its highly sculpted and embellished patterns.  From 1907 to 1925, Carnival glass was a popular carnival prize (hence its name). Afterwards, demand for it slowed, but it enjoyed a comeback in the 1960s and 1970s. Depression glass is similar to Carnival glass, but Depression glass has a consistent color and lacks an iridescent sheen.  Custard Glass Fenton custard glass is appropriately named, as this opaque yellow-toned glass resembles freshly blended custard. The actual glass color ranges from pale ivory to a bright yellow/green hue. Custard glass often features decorative elements, such as roses and/or gold.  Milk Glass Non-hobnail Fenton milk glass pieces are also collector favorites. Fenton’s milk glass basket weave pattern is especially striking.The pre-1958 milk glass isn’t as dense or opaque as the glass made in later years. In addition, the older milk glass’ iridized salts produce an iridescent, multicolored halo in bright sunlight.  Fenton also produced a beautiful overlay milk glass variety. Overlay milk glass features transparent colored glass applied over the white milk glass.  Hobnail Glass Fenton introduced its hobnail glass in 1939. The popular glassware appeared similar to the earlier Victorian “dewdrop glass.” As Fenton’s 1967 catalog noted, the term “hobnail” came from the hobnails on the American pioneers’ hobnailed boots.  Fenton offered hobnail vases and other pieces in nine solid colors. Of these, the cranberry glass is very popular with collectors. Cranberry opalescent glass items, featuring a whitish tone around a vase’s neck and on some hobnails, are also sought-after collectibles.  Compact opalescent hobnail vases are the perfect size for a small display case or shelf. Generally speaking, all Fenton opalescent glass continues to be a highly desirable find.  Hobnail Milk Glass These whitish-colored hobnail collectibles are the color of milk (hence the term “milk glass”). The pieces were quite popular from their introduction to the 1970s. In the 2000s, they came back in vogue with lower prices.  Patterns During Fenton Art Glass’ early years, many of the company’s pieces featured nature-themed patterns. Popular motifs included Butterfly and Berries, Peacock Tail, Thistle, Waterlily and Cattails, and Wreath of Roses.  Fenton’s hobnail pattern is the most famous type. But the Silver Crest pattern is the second-most-famous design. Silver Crest pieces feature a 1/4″ clear glass edge around the signature Fenton ruffle.  HOW TO IDENTIFY FENTON ART GLASS During Fenton Art Glass’ long manufacturing history, the company marked its dazzling array of glassware in one of several ways. Before 1970, Fenton used paper stickers. But these were easily lost or removed.  From 1970 onward, most glassware received the molded “Fenton” signature. Decade-specific pieces, along with “Fenton Seconds,” feature different identifying marks.  Carnival Glass Identification Tips As with many popular collectibles, Fenton Art Glass was a trendsetter. And copycats followed suit. Its Carnival glass popularity spurred other manufacturers to produce iridescent glassware. Glass experts think around 2,000 Carnival glass patterns are still available today.  Identifying authentic Fenton Carnival glass can be a challenge. However, older pieces often display carbon specks or air bubbles. The bases often feature distinctive spatula feet or ball feet. Plus, the edges often have a ruffled, crimped, or sawtooth effect. Finally, look for the pattern stamped on the item’s exterior surface.  FENTON GLASSWARE VALUE AND PRICE GUIDE Generally speaking, decorative glassware has decreased in value over the last decade or so. Fewer younger buyers collect these pieces, and there’s essentially a glut of glassware on the market.  Though, Fenton Art Glass collectibles still have a dedicated following. The products’ striking styles, shapes, and colors make them a favorite among collectors. Fenton’s limited-edition glass pieces remain extremely popular through the years.  Although currently available Fenton glassware brings lower prices than in the 1980s and 1990s, it continues to be a reliable seller. However, an item’s selling price depends on where you are and how you sell it. Finally, note that less-common pieces command higher-than-average prices.  Of course, lower prices can work to a collector’s advantage. You can likely snap up many sought-after pieces at bargain prices. And, specific Fenton items may increase in value during the coming years. In other words, Fenton milk glass values could see a resurgence among collectors.  Factors that Affect Vintage Fenton Glassware Prices Multiple factors determine a Fenton Art Glass piece’s selling price. First, a rarer or elaborately embellished piece generally commands a higher price. Next, glassware from certain years is especially desirable. And not surprisingly, a glassware piece’s color also plays a role in its selling price. When Fenton introduced a new product line, some colors were more in-demand than others.  Naturally, the item’s condition substantially affects its selling price. In comparing two identical pieces from the same manufacturing era, the mint-condition item will command the higher price. Glassware with chips, cracks, or telltale signs of wear will carry a lower price.  Auction Selling Prices and Estimated Price Ranges If you’re wondering about the most valuable Fenton glass pieces, view these eBay auction selling prices from late 2020/early 2021. Note that these top-selling pieces are rare and in excellent condition. At the other end of the spectrum, view several lower-priced Fenton glass collectibles.

Amber glass A pale yellow glass tinted with mixtures of Sulfur and red iron oxide. Red and orange colors were the easiest to make and occurred naturally in early glassware. From the 16th century, the inexpensive amber-color glassware was commonly used for medicine bottles and chemicals in order to prevent deterioration from light. In the US, the New England Glass Company, patented a formula to produce a yellowish amber color glassware. Its successor, the Libbey Glass Company, made a wide range of ornamental colored tableware ranging from golden to reddish. By the early 20th century, amber color glasses became popular in 'Depression era' glassware.  amberina; rose amber;  Amber glass is the name of any glassware with the proper yellow-brown shading. It was a popular color just after the Civil War and many pressed glass pieces were made of amber glass. Depression glass of the 1930s-1950s was also made in shades of amber glass. Other pieces may be found in the Depression Glass, Pressed Glass, and other glass categories. All types are being reproduced. Jewelry is made from real amber, which is taken from the resin of pine trees, and forms amber. For more information, explore our identification guides for glass colors, Depression glass and its patterns, and pressed glass and its colors. Colored glass remains one of the most fascinating mediums in the decorative arts. It's a craft that's existed for centuries, from Ancient Egypt to modern time, with maker-giants such as Tiffany Studios, Moser, and Gallé. But no matter the era, colored glass art has consistently been one of the foremost decorative techniques throughout history. If you want to learn more about the different types of antique glass, you have come to the right place. Read more to learn about the techniques, craft, and history of colored glass and vintage glassware.   29-1348_2  THE MEDIUM  The medium of colored glass has been applied to numerous types of objects throughout history. From adorning and essentially completing, Gothic-style cathedrals in Western Europe to topping glass lamps, colored glass is an indispensable art form. Artisans even used this vintage glass-making technique to create stunning vintage glassware, vase pieces, and other crystal wear.   BASIC TECHNIQUE OF MAKING COLORFUL GLASS  Essentially, glass is the final product of fusing different types of materials: sand, salt, metallic oxide, and powdered flint.   The ancient technique of colored glass making is remarkably similar to today's modern methods, and laid an essential foundation for future glass innovators to build upon. The basic ingredients for the ancient method of cut glass included: sand (which acted as the main component), soda ash, salt, and white plant (to which little is known). In addition, ancient art glass craftsmen would utilize a copper compound, which was used as a colorant in glass pieces.   Modern techniques of art glass making include many of the same materials, such as sand and soda ash, but include a wider variety of metals to achieve different colors.   APPLICATION OF COLOR IN GLASS  The application and inclusion of color in antique glass often define the desirability, value, and function of the glass object. While ancient cultures, the earliest people who worked with glass, primarily utilized a copper-based substance to achieve glass color, modern methods employ various different metals to give glass objects nuanced, vibrant, and exceptional coloring.   If you examine a stained-glass window design, different areas owe their colors to different metals and elements. At Chartres Cathedral, for example, the north transept rose window is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and Child, depicting the entire narrative depiction through the colorful glass. The blue of the Virgin Mary’s robe is a result of the addition of cobalt oxide and cobalt carbonate into a glass melt. The gold of the Child’s cloak, for example, is a result of the combination of sulfur, carbon, and iron salts into the original glass recipe of sand and soda ash.   800px-Chartres_-_Rose_du_transept_Nord_-3   Do these colors in antique glassware and art pieces last? In some cases, certain colors are not as durable against outside agents, such as sun exposure. Some colors, when exposed, would darken while others would lighten or fade. It was found, very early on, that red was the most susceptible and vulnerable to fading. Upon this finding, innovative glassblowers tirelessly worked to produce a red color whose vibrant hue would remain permanent against sun exposure. By adding small amounts of gold to the red glass recipe, glass craftsmen found that the red  would remain strong for years against outside agents.   30-3796_1Red glass perfume bottle by Thomas Mellish   29-8640_2   What other metals are utilized to achieve different colors in antique colored glass objects? View the list below to learn more:   Yellow – Lead Compounds White – Tin Compounds Yellow – Amber - Sulfur Violet – Nickel Oxide Purple – Manganese Dioxide Red – Gold Chloride Blue, Green, Red – Copper Compounds White – Antimony Oxides  30-0569_3A Geometric-style Tiffany Studios chandelier that exhibits impressive yellow and amber-colored glass   THROUGHOUT HISTORY  Because the history of glass craft and techniques has long existed and gone through multiple phases, it’s important to touch on each pivotal moment during its development to fully grasp its importance.   ANCIENT ROOTS  While little is known about the first attempts at glass making, historical documentation has provided us with numerous references to colored glass craft throughout different cultures. Generally, it is accepted that experimentation in glass-making began nearly 5,000 years ago in Mesopotamia. Phoenician sailors are thought to have landed on a beach and prepared a fire - discovering that the sand beneath the fire melted and hardened into glass. However, it took a long period of time - and countless variations and experimentation - to discover and ultimately perfect the technique of glassmaking. Importantly, during this time, only affluent and royal individuals were permitted to obtain and utilize glass objects.   THE ROMAN EMPIRE  3371640_orig   In 300 B.C., a major technological innovation occurred: Syrians invented the blowpipe, and the modern technique and foundation for glass formation was finally laid. The Roman Empire embraced this new technique, and glassmakers and craftsmen now could create glass pieces in a wide variety of shapes and forms. Importantly,t it is in this century that class craftsmen developed formulas to apply and incorporate different colors into glass. Consequently, the process of glassmaking became more widespread and affordable – allowing those outside of the elite and royal social classes access to glass pieces.   During the Roman Empire, glass alabastrons were a popular glass item. Used to hold perfumed oil and medicinal solutions, the widespread use of iridescent alabastrons are a testament to the popularity and use of glass during the Roman Empire.   30-4399_1An Ancient Roman Glass Alabastron, once used to hold perfumed oils or other medicinal solutions   MIDDLE AGES  Fast forward to the Middle Ages, following the collapse of the Roman Empire up until the Renaissance period. During this long era, Venice became the European nucleus for glass making – commanding the market and the techniques. Essentially, Venice maintained an enormous monopoly on glass.   Striving to maintain their control, the Venetian government forced all glassblowers to the nearby island of Murano. Importantly, it is here that glass craftsmen began infusing their glass pieces with vivid, jewel tones such as rich greens, royal blues, and velvety purples. While the glassblowers were legally restricted to Murano, some did manage to escape and spread their newfound coloring techniques throughout Europe.   An example of Murano glass, a vivid blue chandelier, circa 1880An example of Murano glass, a vivid blue chandelier, circa 1880   During the 12th century, great cathedrals were built across Western Europe. Enormous in size, craftsmen were tasked with decorating the interiors of the massive structures. The first form of art that they turned to was colored glass. Craftsmen were commissioned to create colossal stained-glass windows, taking advantage of the soaring walls to flood the interior with vibrant light. By now, glass-making techniques that incorporated different colors into glass objects had spread across Europe, and different innovators were adopting the practices.   Today, stained glass windows are synonymous with the Gothic period and are closely tied to the prevalent architecture. Gothic stained-glass windows acted as both narrative outlets and objects of pure beauty; the windows gave both a visual glimpse into essential Biblical tales for a largely illiterate populous and provided an unsurpassed optical experience within the cathedrals.   RENAISSANCE  518wEMttbuL   During the Renaissance, a time strongly characterized by a re-birth of humanism, technology, science, and philosophy, a pivotal moment in glassmaking occurred: the publishing of the first textbook on glassblowing, Arte Vetrarie (The Art of Glass). Published in Italy by a Florentine priest named Antonio Neri, this book gained significant recognition as it formally disclosed Venetian glassmaking techniques and revealed various glassmaking methods used to achieve different styles, such as leaded glass and diamond engraving.   EARLY AMERICA  Established in 1607, the Jamestown colony was the first permanent settlement in North America. Approximately 105 colonists departed England, bringing numerous objects to live out their daily lives in the new land. During their initial stay, colonists were still receiving functional and decorative glass wares imported from Europe. However, by the 1880s, there existed more glassmakers unique to America with the invention of the mechanical press.  With the invention of this press, two people could easily craft an object of glass. By utilizing the press, one person brought the hot glass from the furnace to the mold, and the second cut off the right amount of glass to enter the patterned mold. Once the mold was squeezed, a decorated piece of glass came out in seconds.   ART NOUVEAU  30-4241_4   Glass production throughout the 19th century was an enormously inventive time: countless artisans crafted contemporary glass and glassmaker, such as Lalique and Gallé, rose to high fame. The Art Nouveau period is perhaps the most pivotal time for the proliferation of colored glass as an art form. In other words, it was during this period that a marriage between glass production and aesthetic art was formed. Art Nouveau glass is now some of the most stunning art glass pieces you can find in any antique collection.ection.   Glassmakers during the Art Nouveau era welcomed and incorporated the swirling lines, natural motifs, and organic, characteristics of the period, into their elegant glassworks. Often, makers, such as Gallé, would give their glass pieces an intensely foliate look and accentuate the foliate natural with vivid colorings, such as grassy greens and jewel-toned blues and reds.   29-3778_4Cameo Glass Vase by Emile Gallé that depicts natural, foliate motifs of the Art Nouveau period   Tiffany Studios crafted an entirely new line of vintage glass to coincide with the popularity of the Art Nouveau movement. Designed as "Favrile," these glass pieces were comprised of strikingly colored iridescent glass. To even further match the foliate nature of Art Nouveau, Tiffany shaped each glass piece into flowers and other foliate shapes.   30-3261_1Tiffany Studios crafted a series of crystal glass called Favrile glass, that featured natural forms of strikingly iridescent-colored glass   COLORED GLASS SPOTLIGHT  29-1348_1 Bamboo Windows crafted by Tiffany Studios., circa 1910   By the turn of the 20th century, Tiffany Studios became masters, and specialists, at colored glass creation. Their lamps, chandeliers, and objets d'art fascinating glass connoisseurs and the everyday passerby alike. Their stylized, striking pieces captivated the world. Their stained glass windows, on the other hand, maintained an entirely greater presence all on their own.   This pair of Tiffany Studios stained glass windows exhibits the brilliance and outstanding ability that distinguish the work of Louis Comfort Tiffany from that of all other glassmakers Looking to the prevalent Art Nouveau style, shoots of towering bamboo are depicted in a lush mosaic of deep greens and browns set upon a backdrop of golden yellow glass. These windows must be experienced in person, as they showcase an outstanding visual effect when viewed in transmitted and then reflected light.   29-1348_2Bamboo Tiffany Windows by Tiffany Studios, detail   While most of Tiffany's window commissions were of ecclesiastical subjects, the artist was at his best when designing windows with nature as his inspiration. The Bamboo pattern is among the most admired in his repertoire and is an excellent example of the popular Art Nouveau style of the time.   The windows are displayed and illuminated in custom-built, ebonized cases.   GLASS TERMS TO KNOW  Acid Etching – a technique used to decorate the surface of glass objects. The glass object is submerged in hydrofluoric acid and then etched in the desired design. Other techniques can be exposing the piece to the fumes of hydrofluoric acid, giving the piece an all-over matte effect. Abrasion – a technique used to decorate the surface of glass objects. The surface of a glass object is grinded down to create a shallow-relief decoration. Alabastron - frequently crafted during the Roman Empire, a small glass bottle or flask-shaped object used to hold perfumes and oils Ancient Glass – a term frequently applied to all pre-Roman and ancient Roman glass.  If you are looking to add a colored piece of elegant glass that's in pristine condition, shop our one-of-a-kind glass collection at M.S. Rau Antiques. Our selection of colored and molded glass offers a variety of design options to accommodate all collectors. Browse our stunning pieces of molten glass right on our website or in our in-person showroom. 

  • Condition: Used
  • Condition: See Photos
  • Type: Personal Ashtray
  • Country/Region of Manufacture: Unknown
  • Handmade: No

PicClick Insights - Pair of Amber Glass Bucket Ashtrays, Vintage Ashtray, Personal Ashtray, Kitsch PicClick Exclusive

  •  Popularity - 9 watchers, 0.0 new watchers per day, 499 days for sale on eBay. Super high amount watching. 0 sold, 1 available.
  •  Best Price -
  •  Seller - 567+ items sold. 1.8% negative feedback. Great seller with very good positive feedback and over 50 ratings.

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