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Pressed Glass Had Long History Of Success

BOOK REVIEW

The fourth edition of the Standard Encyclopedia of Pressed Glass, 1860-1930, by Bill Edwards & Mike Carwile, is now available from Collector Books.

The first American pressed glass was made in 1821, when a patent was granted for producing glass furniture knobs.  Other patents followed quickly, and the pressed glass industry was well underway. However, the formulas used for what was called flint glass, contained lead, and when the Civil War began, the military preempted the available lead. The problem this created for the glass companies actually became a blessing when a new soda-lime formula was developed that not only eliminated the need for lead, but produced a glass that was lighter in weight and more adaptable to detailing in pressed patterns.

Dozens of factories began producing glass wherever natural gas was plentiful and cheap, in Indiana, Maryland and along the Ohio River states of West Virginia, Ohio, and western Pennsylvania. Elaborate patterns with fine detail were produced in dozens of shapes.

By the late 1890s, problems began to develop in the pressed glass industry, however. Fuel supplies gave out in some places, factories burned, labor disputes arose, and a national depression occurred. Many of the glass companies combined into two large conglomerates - the U.S. Glass Company, with 15 factories and the National Glass Company, with 19.

With the combined marketing available, it helped many factories to survive longer than they might have otherwise. Some new types of glass were produced, such as custard, chocolate, and opalescent treatments - all of which collectors love to find today.

However, these mergers have also created a dilemma for collectors. Moulds were shifted from one member factory to another, wherever it best appeared it could be utilized. This makes it difficult at times to know which factory produced a piece.

By the 1920s, the public was looking for different kinds of glass, and newer companies such as Fenton, Northwood and Cambridge offered colored glass, which might also be iridized, enameled, gilded or stained. Also by this time, some pressed glass was being made by machine. The golden years of pressed glass were over.

The book includes patterns from Acorn to the William J. Bryan tumbler. It includes not only patterns used in tableware sets, but also novelty items, such as the Horse inkwell and the Jenny Lind match safe.

You’ll also run across some interesting patterns that don’t show up very often, such as the Grasshopper with Insect, made by Riverside in 1883. There’s also a variation known as the Grasshopper without Insect. These Grasshopper patterns were made in a complete dinnerware line, including bowl, celery vase, compotes, jam jars, pickle dishes, pitchers, plates, shakers, sauce dishes and salt dips.

The book sells for $29.95 and is available from local book stores or from Collector Books, P.O. Box 3009, Paducah, KY 42002; online at www.collectorbooks.com.

Donna Miller

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New Editions Of Price Guides Available

BOOK REVIEW

Updated editions of several price guides from Collector Books are now available.

The ever-popular Schroeder’s Antiques Price Guide is now in its 24th edition. Edited by Sharon and Bob Huxford, it encompasses nearly 500 collecting categories, with information provided by over 400 different advisors from around the country. Up to date prices are included, as well as background information on each topic. Listings of auction houses, clubs, newsletters, catalogs, newspapers and a directory of contributors are also helpful features of the book.

The book is a bargain at $14.95.

The 13th edition of the Garage Sale & Flea Market Annual follows a similar format, with background information prefacing each topic. In addition, there are several general topics covered, including “How to Hold Your Own Garage Sale,”  “Learning to Become A Successful Bargain Hunter,” and “What’s Hot on Today’s Market.” From Abingdon  to Yona, you’ll find information to help you discover what you need to know with the items you’re apt to run across at a neighborhood sale.

In hard cover, the book sells for $19.95.

The 10th edition of Schroeder’s Collectible Toys, Antique to Modern, Price Guide has also just been released. Values for over 20,000 collectible toys are included.

The introduction includes important information about the effect of internet selling and buying, particularly as it pertains to eBay, on the toy market. In a nutshell, mint and/or rare examples are commanding top dollar, while the prices of average toys and dolls have decreased. And on the same day, the same item in the same condition may sell for widely different amounts. The editors and their advisors of this price guide have tried to provide the most accurate up-to-date information they can for this fluctuating market.

This price guide, in soft cover, sells for $17.95.

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In all of the price guides don’t be surprised to find prices have decreased for many collectibles. That is the state of the market these days. Check to see what current prices are suggested before you do your shopping.

The above price guides are available from Collector Books, P.O. Box 3009, Paducah, KY or online at www.collectorbooks.com. 

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