Raise the Anchor

I have been away for a bit from the blog due to a very hectic schedule over the last few months! In my other life, I am a Special Ed Teacher and as such, the last few months before school ends are rounds of grading papers, meetings, testing and taking advantage of the good weather if at all possible! But here we are, together again, and I’d like to touch on a company that we have probably all invited into our houses at one point or another.

Anchor Hocking. This company has been around more than a century in many different forms. We’ve all seen their stuff. I have a couple of their pieces in the shop currently. Like these ones.

Anchor Hocking Relish Dish (available at Vintage Eve’s)

Anchor Hocking Moonstone Hobnail Divided Dish (available at Vintage Eve’s)

They originally started as the Hocking Company back in 1905 near the Hocking River — hence the name. At the time, according to the Anchor Hocking Museum website (AH), Isaac J. Collins and 6 of his friends had raised about $8,000 to buy Lancaster Carbon Company when they went into receivership. Even back then, though, $8k was not enough and they needed to bring on one more investor by the name of Mr. E.B. Good. He gave them another $17,000 which sealed the deal and Mr. Collins had himself a glass factory.

Hocking Glass Co. Elegant Glass Pink Mayfair (available at I Do Pink)

During their first year in business, with 50 employees, Hocking Glass Company sold about $20,000 worth of glassware. Not too shabby! As they expanded they began to sell some stock in the company.

Ruby Red Berry Bowl Coronation Banded (available at Vintage Creative Accen)

They were going along pretty good until there was a huge fire which destroyed their main facility. How many times have we seen this played out with some of these early 20th century companies?! They worked it out, though because out of those ashes rose a new facility called Plant 1 — specifically designed to produce glassware. The one that burned down had originally been a carbon company when they bought the facility.

Hocking Glass Co. Yellow Cameo Open Sugar (available at Places to Put Things)

Hocking Glass began buying up some other companies such as the Lancaster Glass Company (Plant 2) and the Standard Glass Manufacturing Company. This was all during the 1920s. Just before the Great Depression hit, they developed a revolutionary machine that pressed glass automatically. It allowed them to make over 30 items per minute, whereas before they could only make 1 per minute.

Anchor Hocking Fire King Bowls with Handles (Treasure Evermore)

Once that was perfected, they then created a machine with 15 molds that could turn out 90 pieces of glass per minute! That allowed them to lower their costs considerably. During the Depression they were able to sell tumblers “two for a nickel” and still stay in business.

Anchor Hocking Berwick Boopie Sherbert circa 1950 (available at Red River Antiques)

In 1931 they purchased a 50% share of the General Glass Company which was in the process of acquiring Turner Glass Company of Winchester, Indiana. The information on the Anchor Hocking Museum website (AH) says that this merger is what ended up creating the Anchor Hocking name. What happened was that Hocking Glass and the companies it was now merged with developed the first one-way beer bottle. Before that, beer was sold in refillable bottles.

Anchor Hocking Maxwell House Pressed Glass Jar (available at The Jelly Jar)

On December 31, 1937, Anchor Cap and Closure and all its subsidiaries merged with Hocking Glass. They had closure plants all over the Eastern seaboard and in Canada. They also had glass container plants in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. This led the now Anchor-Hocking Glass Company into glassware, containers and then into tableware, toiletries, cosmetic containers, and more.

Anchor Hocking Milk Glass Mugs (available at The Discerning Hoarder)

They continued to expand through the next decades. In 1969 they dropped the “Glass” part of their name because they were so far beyond just producing glass. Actually during the prior year, 1968, they had entered the plastics market after their acquisition of Plastics Incorporated.

Plastic Anchor Hocking Cups for the 1984 Olympics (available at Luxurys Warehouse)

In 1970 they purchased Phoenix Glass Company in Pennsylvania and entered the lighting field. They also bought Taylor, Smith & Taylor putting them squarely into the earthenware, fine stoneware, and institutional china dinnerware business.

Anchor Hocking Hobnail Perfume Bottle (available at MidCenturyMad Shop)

Over the years they have bought and sold different divisions. You can go to the Anchor Hocking Museum website (AH) for a very detailed listing of all the subsidiaries and divisions that have been acquired, merged, or sold. The list gets complicated. In 2006 Anchor-Hocking filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection due to heavier than expected losses. They were bought by Oneida which in turn was acquired by EverywhereWare, Inc. So they are still in business under the Anchor-Hocking name.

Mid-Century Ice Bucket Anchor Hocking (available at Gentry Antiques)

They apparently only used 3 marks during their production years. There is a mark that has an “HG” over “Co.” which was used from 1905 to 1937. The anchor with an H in the middle used from 1937 to 1968. Finally, the anchor inside a square used from 1968 until now.

Anchor Hocking Ruby Glass Pitcher (available at Heather’s Collectibles)

It is amazing how intertwined so many of these companies became. It is like trying to unravel a knotted ball of yarn; they start out simple and then it’s almost impossible to separate one from the other. It’s all interesting though!

I hope you have enjoyed this week’s post. Please join me at the link parties on the right — lots of wonderful blogs — and have a great week!!

 

 

 

A Federal Case

I’ve been adding a lot of glassware recently to the Vintage Eve’s shop when I realized I never did a post on Federal Glass. I did touch on it briefly in my post about Depression Glass but it deserves a post of its own.

Federal Glass Depression Glass in Sharon Pattern (available at Vintage Eve’s)

In 1900, George and Robert J. Beatty, who came from a successful glass-making family, banded together with some other glass makers to start Federal Glass in Columbus, Ohio. At that time, they were only making tumblers and jellies.

Federal Glass “Jack Frost” Tumbler (available at Straits Antiques)

By 1906 they had expanded their line to include bottles and jars. Mostly utilitarian stuff which was common around this time in a number of glass houses. By 1914 they were making some pressed glass pieces. According to the Glass Encyclopedia, many of their designs were from molds acquired from other companies.

Federal Glass Salt and Pepper Madrid Pattern (available at MilkWhite)

They used a lot of designs that originated with US Glass Company such as “Peacock Feather,” “Kansas,” and “Caledonia” all of which were made originally by US Glass. Their glassware was still clear flint glass at this point, they hadn’t made any colored glass. Some other companies were using the same patterns as Federal during this time, too, which can be slightly confusing.

Sugar in Peacock Feather (available at Cherished Tidbits)

Around 1913, old catalogs show that they were also making items for groceries such as salt, pepper and spice shakers. They also made measuring jugs and other items. I was not able to track down a picture of the catalog but it’s out there somewhere.

Covered Candy Dish in Diana Pattern by Federal Glass (available at Lubie’s Vintage Finds)

During the early years they were plagued with union strikes from the flint workers. One strike lasted almost 2 years. They tried to keep their shop non-union while paying their workers more than most people in the business (www.FOHBC.org).

Federal Glass Refrigerator Dishes (available at Viewridge Vintage)

During the 1920s they continued to expand their lines into full tableware sets, colored glass, and more. By the 1920s and 1930s they were creating some patterns in Depression Glass that are looked for by collectors today. Some of those patterns are “Diana (1937-1941),” “Mayfair (1934),” “Parrot (1931-1932),” “Sharon,” and a number of others. One of their more popular designs in 1940s was the “Park Avenue.”

Federal Glass Horse-Head Book Ends (available at Red River Antiques)

Around 1927 the Federal Glass mark started being used in catalogs. It is an “F” inside a shield. The mark itself was not registered until 1944.

Federal Glass Petal Serving Dish with Holder and Spoon (available at Grandes Treasures)

From what I uncovered in my research, Federal Glass Company was good to its employees. When their employees returned from WWII, they were given back their jobs or received better ones, and they closed for a day to honor those who had died in the war.

Federal Glass Covered Casserole Dishes Sunflower Pattern (available at Elementree Old Skool)

In 1949, Corning Glass Works sued Federal saying they had infringed on 2 of their patents. Both patents were related to heat-treated glass they used in their tumblers under the “STURDEE” name. It took 6 years to bring to trial and was dismissed as unfounded in 1956. Then there was a company named “Federal Glass Company” in Dover, Delaware that Federal Glass sued asking them to stop using the “Federal” name. The Ohio Federal Glass won and was awarded the right to rename the Delaware company (www.FOHBC.org).

They were quite prosperous through the 1950s and 1960s. So why did they go out of business? One reason, according to FOHBC, is that a lot of their business was wrapped up in premiums that gas stations gave away. When the gas shortages hit in the early 1970s, their business took a $5 million hit. Then the Federal Paper Board, with whom they had merged in 1957, decided to sell the glass division to Lancaster Colony. That sale didn’t go through.

Federal Glass Patio Snack Set (available at Ruby Blue Lane)

After a lot of back and forth, Lancaster tried again but wanted the right to reduce wages and remove pensions. The results were that in 1979 they ceased making glass. FOHBC goes into a lot more detail on what caused the complete collapse such as the wide-spread use of plastics and more. They had made it through the Great Depression but after 79 years in business, the doors closed.

Federal Glass Sugar and Creamer in Normandie Pattern Amber (available at CrochetNCollectibles)

Well, that is a quick look at the Federal Glass Company. They made some great and enduring pieces that we still love today. I hope you enjoyed reading and remember to join me at the link parties on the right this week! Have a great week!

 

Jazzy Jeannette

In some of the posts I’ve done including one on Depression Glass and another on Glasbake , Jeannette Glass Company has made an appearance. It’s an interesting history that is intertwined with some other glass houses. I have this lovely set for sale in the Vintage Eve’s store. I love the pattern and the glass is solid and heavy in your hand.

Jeannette Glass Creamer and Sugar in Cube Pattern (available at Vintage Eve’s)

As I mentioned in my Glasbake post, Jeannette Glass isn’t named after someone but rather somewhere, Jeannette, Pennsylvania. According to the “Hidden History of the Laurel Highlands” by Cassandra Vivian, Jeannette Glass Company started as the McKee-Jeannette Glass Company in 1904.

Jadite Shaker Set by Jeannette Glass (available at JustAboutModern)

McKee was a glass maker in 1899 when he sold his business to the National Glass Company tableware trust. In 1906 it was listed as the “largest tableware glass factory in the world” (Vivian, 2014). They sent their tablewares all over the United States and Europe by that time.

Jeannette Glass Powder Jar (available at Hubbard House Antiques)

During the early 1900s the company went through a few name changes but continued to make glassware. They made pressed glass, jadite, white milk glass, black glass and they were the creators of Glasbake. They even made headlight lenses! Don’t forget though, this was the McKee-Jeannette Glass Company. Eventually in the 1960s, this company was absorbed into the Jeannette Glass Company.

Pink Milk Glass by Jeannette Glass (available at Bygone Find)

Jeannette Glass Company started in 1890. It was right next to the McKee Glass Company. They made pressed glassware. Jeannette Bottle Works was also around at that time making bottles. They were absorbed into the Jeannette Glass Company in 1898 and started making glass jars for condiments of all kinds.

Jeannette Glass Co. Hottle Pots (available at Trends From Then)

So as you can see, all of these companies sort of morphed into one big Jeannette Glass Company which actually closed for good in 1983. There is a company called Jeannette Specialty Glass Company that is still in business but that is not the Jeannette Glass Company that we think of when we think of Depression Glass and glass through the mid-century.

Set of 3 Jeannette Glass Co. Classics (available at Whimsical Things Too)

As I said, an interesting history. I am always amazed at how blurred the lines between companies can become over the years. All this information came from the book I referenced by Cassandra Vivian, which can be found at Amazon.

Well, that is everything I found out about Jeannette Glass Company. I hope you have learned something as I did. Please join me at the link parties listed to the right. I’ll be linking up all week with some other fabulous blogs! Drop me a note if you have a moment in your day and have a great week!

Hey Hazel!

In my travels I recently picked up this beautiful divided dish. I love the shell handles and lovely ribbed design.

Hazel-Atlas Depression Glass Divided Dish (available at Vintage Eve’s)

It went into the Vintage Eve’s Etsy shop today, but before I could do that, I needed to find out who manufactured it since it was unmarked. Turns out it was the Hazel-Atlas company. I have a few pieces in the shop by Hazel-Atlas like this jelly jar.

Hazel-Atlas Jelly Jar circa 1930s (available at Vintage Eve’s)

At one time in America, Hazel-Atlas was one of the largest glass manufacturers in the world. According to Collectors Weekly the company started out as Hazel Glass Company in 1885 and were making opal glass liners for Mason jar zinc caps.

Hazel-Atlas Jar Liner (available at SparkkleJar)

Then in 1902 the company name was changed to Hazel-Atlas when they merged with the Atlas Glass Company of Washington, Pennsylvania. By this point, the company was a leader in making fruit jars, oil bottles and commercial glass containers for everything you can think of. Pickle jars, check. Vaseline jars, check. Need a snuff bottle, Hazel-Atlas was probably making it.

Hazel-Atlas Milk of Magnesia Bottle (available at Kentucky Trader)

They also made a number of these containers in colors. Amber, blue, crystal, yellow. This is in part what led to their production of dinnerware and glassware, many of it known as Depression Glass today. Their first line of dinnerware was known as Ovide.

Hazel-Atlas Ovide Tea Cups circa 1930s (available at Miss Ellies Vintage)

It was made in a transparent green or an opaque black, the black is above. Collectors Weekly says that another early pattern was called Ribbon. Moderntone was introduced in 1934 in cobalt and amethyst.

Hazel-Atlas Ribbon Pattern (available at LazyYVintage)

Then in 1936, Hazel-Atlas came out with Platonite, a sort of semi-opaque glass that is often mistaken for milk glass. Platonite could come in any color but are more often than not found in white with colored concentric rings that have been fired onto the white.

Hazel-Atlas Platonite Drippings Jar (available at OnePomMom)

During the post-WWII years, they became popular for their fired-on patterns. Many of these were created by the Gay Fad Decorating Company. Collectors Weekly lists designs such as dancing sailors, hats, windmills, maple leaves, daisies, musical instruments and flying geese as all popular motifs. There are many more designs that can be checked out at Collectors Weekly.

Hazel-Atlas Black Drizzle Bottle circa 1950s (available at Vintage Eve’s)

The mark to look for is a large H with a small A under the “H’s” bar. This mark was used starting around 1923 (GlassBottleMarks.com).

Hazel-Atlas Mark from GlassBottleMarks.com

Although this mark is found on many of their bottles, most of their Depression Glass bears no mark. It’s on the bottom of my jelly jar, but not the dish at the top of this post. Another line that Hazel-Atlas put out was kiddie ware that consisted of bowls, mugs and plates for children.

Hazel-Atlas Kiddie Ware Hopalong Cassidy (available at Pleroma Vintage)

The company did well with the kiddie ware but they really did well with their kitchenware. They made mixing bowls, butter dishes, juicers (or reamers), among other things. They also made refrigerator dishes and Platonite stacking storage containers. They also made shakers.

Hazel-Atlas Ritz Blue Butter Dish (available at SilverGoldFindings)

I have been trying to track down what actually happened to the company. At this writing, I haven’t been able to do that. They were producing stuff that people were buying but in 1956, running 13 plants, the Continental Can Company purchased the firm. According to Archiving Wheeling the sale was contested and it took from 1956 to 1964 for the sale to be completed. After that, most of the factories were sold off and the Hazel-Atlas company ceased to exist.

Hazel-Atlas Drink Set with Ice Bucket Early 1960s (available at A Sparrow Flies)

So that is the story of the Hazel-Atlas Company. What once was is no more, however, they have produced some enduring pieces that are beautiful and functional. Such a great company and one that gave people work through the Great Depression. If you have a favorite Hazel-Atlas piece, let me know. I would love to hear about it. Also, check out the link parties on the right where I will be sharing my blog with other great bloggers this week. As always, have a great week!!

 

Lovely Libbey!

Since I’ve been around, some 50 or so years now, one of the things I remember being there were glasses by Libbey Glass Company. In my youth, not that things have changed much, I was a bit of a butterfingers. In other words, I’ve broken more than my fair share of glassware! Luckily I had two sisters and a cat to blame it on … just kidding. But seriously, I can remember buying new glasses for my first apartment … Libbey was there and so on in my life. America’s Glassmaker – that’s what they call themselves and they have definitely proven their staying power.

Libbey Mid-Century Modern Coffee Cups (available at Vintage Eve’s)

They are a company that has been around awhile. According to Company Histories website in the early 1700s the glass industry began to establish itself in New England with abundant forests providing fuel and Boston Harbor providing a way to move their glass.

Libbey Southern Comfort Glasses circa 1960s (available at Vintage Eve’s)

Then in 1818 the New England Glass Company was formed by a group of 4 investors. Running from 1818 through to the 1870s, New England Glass became the largest glass maker in the world. They employed over 500 people and made over $500,000 which was a lot in the 1800s!

Libbey Condiment Set Gold Leaf (available at StonyBrook Antiques)

New England Glass made high-quality glass, producing blown glass but also pioneering the process of pressed glass. Unfortunately, as time marched on and better alternatives to leaded glass were created, New England Glass chose to stick to their old methods in an “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” mentality.

Libbey Santa Glasses (available at Strychnine Vintage)

They believed the new innovation of lime-based glass was inferior to their lead-based glass. But the lime-based glass kept workers from getting lead poisoning, plus it cooled quicker and was perfect for pressing. Also, by this time the forests of New England were becoming depleted and coal was now required to be shipped in for fuel.

Libbey Brilliant Cut Class Creamer and Sugar (available at Vintage Hand)

So where does Libbey come into being? Well, as New England Glass started struggling William L. Libbey became an agent for them in 1870. Who was Willaim Libbey in the first place? He had been part owner of the Mount Washington Glass company.

Libbey Brilliant Cut Glass (available at Bob’s Basement Treasure)

Company Histories website says that even though New England Glass began to operate at a loss, Libbey convinced them to stay in operation until in 1878 when they leased the properties to Libbey himself. In 1880 the name changed to W.L. Libbey and Son, Proprietors. Libbey’s son, Edward had started as a chore boy in 1872 at New England Glass. His father was trying to get him to go to college and figured some hard work would make him change his mind.

Libbey Frosted Blendo Glasses (available at MidCentury or Bust)

He did eventually go to Maine’s Kent Hill Academy hoping to be a Methodist minister but a throat infection ruined his voice and made it impossible for him to be a public speaker so he went back to work at the glass company (Company Histories website). I thought this was an interesting side note. Because eventually, with his father’s death in 1883, Edward took control of the W.L. Libbey and Son company. He was 29 years old.

Libbey Blue Glass Bowls circa 1940 (available at JoAnntiques)

He worked hard and kept the company afloat relocating the glass works to Toldedo, Ohio which was close to natural gas fields, a railroad and Lake Erie. At that time, Libbey was incorporated as W.L. Libbey  & Son Company and then in 1892 as Libbey Glass Company.

Libbey Nash Footed Tumblers (available at Barb’s Vintage Finds)

There is a lot to their history, but one of the highlights was that they secured the rights to “build and exhibit a fully operating glass factory at Chicago’s 1893 Colombian Exposition.” (Company Histories website). People visiting could watch the glass being made and paid 10¢ for the privilege! They really took off at this point, showing hand-blown and cut glass, especially during the “Brilliant Period” of cut glass.

Libbey Clear Glass Reflectors for Roads (available at ToysNSuch)

In 1935 Owens-Illinois bought Libbey Glass. Libbey had made some great inroads in the glass business but also made some grave mistakes — like trying to go back to art glass just as the Great Depression hit. That left them vulnerable. They continued to run under the Libbey name after Owens-Illinois bought them. Owens-Illinois offered the great management they needed in order to keep the Libbey name in business.

Libbey Hostess Set circa 1950s (available at Vintage Kitchen & Home)

This company is still in business today making glass. For more in-depth information check out Company Histories website as it’s a great resource. I hope you learned something along with me today. As always, I will be partying all week at the link parties on the right; also great resources. Have a great week everyone!

Fabulous Fenton

What a week! I’ve just had to do a complete reset of my computer and reload a bunch of stuff. I can only thank the powers that be for cloud-based programs. All I had to do was log back in to Google and all my bookmarks and everything showed back up! My computer kept freezing and wouldn’t load — what a pain. Well, now that I’m up and running again, it’s time to investigate another vintage company. I’m choosing Fenton this week because I see it a lot. Take a look at these pieces I have in the shop.

Amethyst Top Hat

Amber Bowls

Amber Tea Light Holder

I love the colors of their glass. The above pattern is Daisy and Button. Fenton Art Glass Company is actually the largest manufacturer of handmade colored glass in the U.S. According to the Fenton Art Glass website they began in 1905 founded by brothers Frank L. and John W. Fenton.

Waterlilly and Cattails Square Bowl circa 1908 (available at Glass Palace)

They started in Martins Ferry, Ohio and originally painted on glassware made by other manufacturers. The brothers decided, though, to make their own glass. They opened their art glass factory in Williamstown, West Virginia in 1907.

Fenton Iridill Butterfly and Berry (available at DerBayz Vintage)

One of their popular glasswares, Carnival Glass, orignally called “Iridill” was produced later that year; a “poor man’s Tiffany” (Collectors Weekly). Carnival Glass is a very popular collectible still.  But even more popular was a milk glass pattern called Hobnail. That pattern eclipsed even Iridill’s best.

Fenton Iridill Footed Bowl (available at Yesterdi’s)

Hobnail was actually an old Victorian Pattern. Collectors Weekly says that a combination of this hobnail pattern and another pattern called Diamond Lace became really popular, as well.

Fenton Diamond Lace Epergne (available at Elegant Etches)

As much as they liked making glass art, during the Depression and the war years, they produced more practical items like mixing bowls and perfume bottles (Fentonartglass.com). During the 40s, the original founders had retired and Frank M. and Wilmer C. Fenton took the helm. They oversaw significant growth over the next 30 years.

Fenton Hobnail Milk Glass Set (available at Sweet Antiques Store)

Some of their popular early patterns were based on nature according to Collectors Weekly. Waterlily and Cattails, Butterfly and Berries, Peacock Tail, Wreath of Roses and Thistle.

Fenton Peacock Tail Pattern Bowl (available at Suzqui’s Treasures)

In 1986, George W. Fenton, Frank’s son became president. They ceased their production of traditional glass making in 2011 and currently make glass jewelry. They have continued to adapt to carry on the Fenton name and sometimes that’s what it takes to stay in business. Fenton has definitely given us some highly collectible pieces over the years. Happy collecting!

Fenton Melon Perfume Bottle Milk Glass with Rose Overlay (available at For Vintage Sakes)

That’s a wrap on another wonderful glass company! As always, I will be partying at the link parties on the right this week. Check them out, they are great resources. Have a great week!

 

Beautiful Baccarat

Look at this lovely little kitty paperweight I picked up one day while picking up stuff for the shop! It’s got the sweetest little face!

Baccarat Kitty Paperweight (available at Vintage Eve’s)

I was really excited when I turned it over and saw the “Baccarat” crystal name and insignia etched on the bottom. Baccarat is an old name in fine crystal. Originally known as Baccarat Glass, the company was founded in 1765 by the Bishop of Metz. According to Crystal Art USA the Bishop wanted to “encourage industry” in the village of Baccarat which is about 250 miles east of Paris, France.

Baccarat Missouri Jam Jar (Available at GlassLoversGallery – Quiet Street Antiques)

The primary industry in the village was making utility glassware like windows, bottles, tableware, etc. and they did well for a long time. The business survived through the French Revolution (1789) but Crystal Art USA says the company struggled through the Napoleonic Wars (1812-1815).

French Cut Baccarat Crystal Box/Casket circa 1920 (available at Bougainvillea Lane)

When Aime-Gabriel D’Artiques, the owner of Vonech glassworks, suddenly found his company outside of France in the newly formed Belgium after the Napoleonic Wars, he bought Baccarat so he could have his company in France again. He didn’t want to pay heavy import taxes so this worked for his French customers.

Baccarat Needle Etched Cameo Oil Lamp Shade circa 1920 (available at Hester’s Closet)

 

Close Up Detail of Baccarat Oil Lamp Shade

 

The new Voneche-Baccarat company did well focussing on high-quality lead-crystal glass. D’Artiques sold the glassworks in 1822 and the Compagnie des Cristalleries de Baccarat came into existence. Crystal Art USA says that the name Voneche was left attached to the company until 1843.

Baccarat Chandelier circa 1920 (available at Art Vintage and Design)

It  became and has stayed one of the foremost makers of glass in France winning medals in Paris from 1823 up. Baccarat is particularly known for their crystal paperweights (like my little kitty). They are well-known for their beautiful decanters and bottles, also for figurines. According to the New York Times, Baccarat crystal completed its first royal commission of crystal glasses for Louis XVIII  in 1823. This commission, it is said, started the fashion for using different glasses for different beverages.

Baccarat Ebony Crystal Rabbit Paperweight (available at Bubbles and Riley)

Baccarat has continued since that time to become innovators in their field. They have perfected techniques and have a reputation for creating beautiful crystal glassware, as well as for being excellent, caring employers. The town of Baccarat depends on this glasswork company as their major source of business and jobs.

Baccarat Cut Crystal Goblets (available at Birney Creek)

Believe it or not, the company is now under the leadership of an American investment firm, Starwood Capital and Catterton Partners. It’s amazing how small the world is in this global market place! That is the way the world is changing, to which this company that started as a small village industry can attest. I always find this stuff so interesting!

Baccarat Egyptian Cat Paperweight (available at Old Yankee Trader)

I hope you learned something you didn’t know before and take this with you. I love learning and find something each week that I didn’t know before. Leave me a comment if you get a chance! I will be partying at the great blogs on the right side of the screen this week. Check them out, there’s so much to learn from each of them. Have a great week!

 

 

Glass Houses

I was cruising through one of my favorite thrift stores on Friday; work had ended and I was taking a poke through this little haven. I’d gathered a few things which were sliding around in my basket when I spotted this little goody.

Duncan-Miller Butter Dish (photo courtesy of Vintage Eve’s)

It wasn’t much to look at when I found it. The top was all tarnished and spotted. The glass was dirty. I wish I had taken a picture before I cleaned it so you could all see, but I was eager to see the treasure hiding behind the tarnish. Even my daughter said “Wow!” when she saw the cleaned-up version. It is a pretty little piece. I recognized the pattern of this butter dish as a Duncan-Miller piece. I know because I have this other piece shown below that I found a few weeks ago. My daughter says the pattern above reminds her of little feet – that’s what I thought, too! Like little toes.

Duncan & Miller Teardrop Divided Dish (photo courtesy of Vintage Eve’s)

So who was Duncan or, for that matter, Miller? Well, according to the National Duncan Glass Society, the beginning of what was to become Duncan-Miller happened when George Duncan bought a glass factory formerly owned by Ripley & Company of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. There was some association between Duncan and Ripley but they did not go into business together.

Duncan Miller Swan (photo courtesy of King’s Fortune)

There is a connection to Duncan Glass and Heisey Glass, though, as Duncan’s daughter, Susan, was married to Augustus H. Heisey (check out my post on Heisey Glass “Hooray for Heisey“). It’s definitely a small world! So, originally Duncan formed his company with his 2 sons James and Harry and his son-in-law, Augustus. They were originally named George Duncan & Sons. They were located near the Monongahela River giving them easy access to glass-making resources by barge.

Duncan Miller Opalescent Shell Dish (photo courtesy of Julie’s Vintage Treasure)

In 1874 John Ernest Miller was persuaded to join the company. He had over 20 years experience manufacturing glass already. The National Duncan Glass Society states that Miller was hired as a designer for Duncan’s company. He eventually became “internationally famous for his designs of Duncan and Miller Glass during the next fifty-two years” (National Duncan Glass Society).

3-Footed Duncan Miller Mayonnaise Bowl (photo courtesy of Diane’s Bargain Shack)

As time went on Augustus left to start his own glass business. Then the Duncan & Sons factory burned down, which seemed a common occurrence back then if you read some of my other posts! George Duncan died in 1877 so his son James took over. The factory was moved to Washington, Pennsylvania where natural gas for the furnaces was easy to get and cheap. They were also close to railroads there, which replaced the river for ease of getting the glass-making resources to the factory fast and inexpensively.

Duncan Miller Canterbury Candleholder (photo courtesy of Meeka Maye’s Market)

Late in the year 1900, the structure of the company was changed to include Miller. That time was known as the “Duncan-Miller period” (National Duncan Glass Society).  In a time when there was plenty of glass being produced, they were known for their great designs, workmanship and colors. They produced many patterns and designs for the next fifty years.

Duncan Miller Ruby-Flashed Buttons Arches Pitcher (photo courtesy of Vintage Treasures 4U)

Unfortunately, they fell prey to the machine age. It was not as economical to make fine hand-made glass as it was to mass produce it with machines. When they closed, the National Duncan Glass Society says that people came from hundreds of miles to buy up the last pieces of Duncan-Miller glass at clearance prices. The plant closed in 1955 and the building was destroyed by fire on June 29, 1956.

Duncan Miller Amberina Relish Dish (photo courtesy of Annie’s Old Stuff)

Some of the patterns that were well-known are: Diamond Ridge, Block & Rosette, Ladder with Diamonds, Colonial, Thumbprint Block Band, Clover, Homestead, Sunburst in Oval, and King Arthur (Patternglass.com). So know that any Duncan-Miller glass you own was produced before 1956.

Duncan Miller Language of Flowers Plate (photo courtesy of Kathryn’s This and That)

I hope you have enjoyed this look at Duncan-Miller! There are so many great companies that we have just touched on at Vintage Eve’s with so many more to explore. I’m looking forward to sharing lots more with you.

If you have a chance, leave me a message! I love to hear from my readers.

I am partying this week at:

Adirondack Girl @ Heart!

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The Lesser Known Sister

In my pursuit of vintage, I frequently come across a sister to Pyrex known as Glasbake or Glasbak, depending on the vintage. I thought I would do a little research on this lesser known sister of Pyrex.

Glasbake Made for Sunbeam circa 1950s (photo courtesy of Vintage Eve’s)

The Glasbake bowl above I picked up a few months back. On the bottom it is embossed “Glasbake Made for Sunbeam.” It was part of a mixer set. Turns out Glasbake was created in 1917 by McKee Glass Company to compete with Pyrex.

Glasbake Covered Bowls circa 1950-1960 (photo courtesy of 4 The Love Of Vintage)

The spelling was originally “Glasbak” for “Glasbak Ware” but was changed somewhere in the first few years putting the name change somewhere between 1918 and the early 1920’s.

Glasbake Divided Dish circa 1960’s (photo courtesy of Trashtiques)

According to a very informative blog on the subject, C. Dianne Zweig, she says that Glasbake went through a few incarnations. It started as “Glasbak Ware” from 1917 to somewhere in the early 1920’s, to “Glasbake” until 1953.

Glasbake Loaf Pan circa 1960’s (photo courtesy of The Velvet Rooster)

It was then changed to “Glasbake by McKee Division of Thatcher Glass Corp.” from 1951 to 1961 and finally “Glasbake by Jeannette Glass” from 1961 to 1983. As a side note, Jeannette was not a person’s name but the name of a town. Jeannette, Pennsylvania was where Jeannette Glass was located. You can tell the age of your Glasbake … if it has a “J” pre-fix to the numbers, the “J” denotes Jeannette Glass Co. and puts the age of the piece after 1961.

Glasbake Baked Apple Dish (photo courtesy of Mike N Annie’s Treasures)

As I said, Glasbake was meant to compete with Pyrex so you are able to cook with it and put it in the refrigerator. I am not sure about the microwave as it stopped production before the wide-spread use of microwaves.

Glasbake 1 Quart Casserole (photo courtesy of Beard Magic Vintage)

Glasbake came in lots of different, colorful patterns; florals, fruits and seasonal motifs. They also created more than bowls. There were Hottles which could hold hot things.

Glasbake Hottle (photo courtesy of Many A Moons Vintage)

There were measuring cups…

Glasbake Measuring Cup (photo courtesy of Granny’s Back Porch Vintage Collectibles )

Percolators …

Glasbake Percolator circa 1940s (photo courtesy of The Little Lemon Shoppe)

Individual covered casserole dishes and lots more! They were very creative.

Glasbake Covered Casserole with Fin Top (photo courtesy of Digatomic)

You can also find Glasbake items under Flamex and Range-Tec.

Range-Tec Skillet (photo courtesy of Fybster)

Flamex Sauce Pot (photo courtesy of Quirky Cottage)

I hope you have enjoyed this look at a lesser known brand that created some pieces that have certainly stood the test of time. Along with Pyrex and JAJ, you can add Glasbake to your cool kitchen collectibles!

Glasbake Ovenware in Blue and White (photo courtesy of Its Just StuFFFF)

Looking for more vintage treasures? Check out the Vintage Eve’s Shop. If you have a second to leave me a note, please do! I love reading them.

Have a great week!

Where do I like to party? At Adirondack Girl @ Heart, of course!

Into the Fire

One of the more well-known items that came out the 20th century in the way of dinnerware was Fire-King. I can spot it on a shelf a mile away.

Fire-King Custard Cups (photo courtesy of Vintage Eve’s)

Well, my eyesight’s not so hot these days so maybe a few feet away. But I know it when I see it. Fire-King is one of Anchor Hocking’s line of glassware. It comes in milky white and a number of other colors including a popular color called Jade-ite. It has a luster to it that isn’t just a gloss and it’s very collectible.

 

Fire-King in Primrose Pattern (photo courtesy of TreasureObsessed)

 

According to Collectors Weekly, Anchor Hocking was originally Hocking Glass Corporation, named after the Hocking River in Lancaster, Ohio.

Fire-King Jade-ite Bowl (photo courtesy of FranksCollections)

They began in 1905 and made pressed glass. They merged in 1937 with Anchor Cap and Closure Corporation of Long Island City, New York.

 

 

As they grew they expanded into other lines such as plastic and other materials so they dropped the word “glass” from their name and became Anchor Hocking in 1969.

Fire-King Lusterware Beehive Bowl (photo courtesy of FoundGoodsCA)

Fire-King began its manufacture from around 1940 until 1976. Collectors Weekly says that “Fire-King was a brand not a pattern…” and had many different items in the line. There was dinnerware, mugs, bowls and other items.

There were patterns, too such as Alice that was created in the late 1940s, Jane Ray, Hobnail, Early American Prescut and Rainbow. Rainbow was to be a competitor for the popular Fiestaware that was being produced by the Homer Laughlin Company starting in 1936.

Fire-King Philbe Custard Dishes (photo courtesy of ArtzyBitz)

 

 

There was one pattern that was only made from 1937 to 1938 called Philbe. It was run in 4 colors but transparent blue, called Sapphire, is the most collected in this pattern. I love finding those elusive pieces.

Fire-King McDonald’s Cup (Photo courtesy of KanesVintage)

 

Jade-ite and an opaque white called Anchorwhite were introduced as restaurant and institution ware during the time from 1948 to 1967. In 1976 Fire-King was discontinued.

Fire-King Polka Dot (photo courtesy of EuroFair)

Fire-King Tulip (photo courtesy of Jiminyvintage)

 

 

 

Fire-King is such a great collectible. An iconic item from the 1950s and 60s that reminds me of times gone by. Not necessarily simpler times, just different. Well, if you get a chance leave me a note or stop by Vintage Eve’s shop and take a poke around at some more vintage treasures.

Fire-King 1 Pint Baking Dish in Sapphire Philbe Pattern (photo courtesy of Vintage Eve’s)

Enjoy your week!

Where I like to party Adirondack Girl @ Heart !