Milk Glass Came In Flavors

Popular Milk Glass & Other Opaque Novelties, by Douglas Congdon-Martin, a 2005 Schiffer publication, covers primarily the glass made by U.S. glass companies in the late 19th and 20th centuries. The first section of the book covers items in alphabetical order by company name, from Akro Agate to L.G. Wright, and includes a brief history of each company. A reference for additional information is included for most of the companies. The second section of the book lists pieces by type, such as egg cups and vanity items.

The term milk glass is often confusing to the novice collector. In collecting terms, it is used generically to refer to any opaque glass, and encompasses colors such as chocolate (okay for chocolate milk,) blue (I've not seen any blue milk,) purple, yellow, green, and more; it also includes many pieces that are called slag - these are two or more colors swirled together, (certainly not a possibility in liquid milk.) Examples of all of these are included in the book.

Many pieces made in milk glass were also made in transparent colors. the detail work of the moulds often shows up more clearly on an opaque piece, however, and gives the collector an opportunity to really appreciate the work that went into the mould design.

There is a National Milk Glass Collectors Society, which was organized in 1987. It has a web site, nmgcs.org, that is full of useful information about milk glass. Collectors are invited to check this site.

Popular Milk Glass & Other Opaque Novelties is priced at $29.95 and includes a price guide. Check with your local bookseller or contact Schiffer Publishing, 4880 Lower Valley Rd., Atglen, PA 19310 or visit the web site: www.schifferbooks.com.

Donna Miller

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New Editions Of Collector Books Available

Several updated editions of collector reference books have been released in recent months.

B.J. Summers’ Guide to Coca-Cola and the companion Pocket Guide to Coca-Cola are now in their 5th editions. From signs to Santas, Coca-Cola has made brand awareness a priority, and simultaneously acquired a large collector base for any item which carries the Coca-Cola logo. Values given in the book come from three sources: dealers, collectors, and auctions. The descriptive information with each item (all of which are colored photos) includes the date the item was made and the condition of the item with respect to the value set. The book sells for $12.95.

The second edition of the Big Book of Pocket Knives, by Ron Stewart and Roy Ritchie, provides the collector with an illustrated sampling of manufacturer’s cutlery products, along with a brief history of each company. Information has been taken from the companies’ ads, their catalogs and the catalogs of the large hardware houses that stocked their products. Descriptive information and values are given for each knife. The book is priced at $19.95.

The Collector’s Encyclopedia of American Dinnerware, by Jo Cunningham, is also in its second edition. It has been 22 years since the first edition was published and there has been much additional information that has become available in that period of time. Probably the most important thing collectors need to recognize is dinnerware shapes. Many of the names found on dinnerware are pattern names, rather than company names. Thousands of decals were used by dozens of companies - and sometimes the same decal was used by more than one company. Some companies, such as Harker and Homer Laughlin, are covered at great length; others, such as Frankoma, have only a page devoted to them. Where individual items are pictured, a value is given. Some backstamps are shown. The hard-cover book sells for $29.95.

Glass Toothpick Holders, by Neila & Tom Bredehoft and Jo & Bob Sanford, is another book in its second edition. Toothpick holders were a fad, which began in the 1880s and lasted until about 1910. Many were in the same pressed glass patterns as dinnerware sets; others were novelties that had no matching pieces. Some were made to match salts and peppers. The book is arranged by manufacturer, and each toothpick pictured is identified by the original manufacturer’s name, any other popular name used for it, the date of introduction, the size, the colors in which it was made and some notes with miscellaneous information. There’s also a fairly extensive grouping of those whose origin is unknown. While most of the book deals with the Victorian era toothpicks, a few contemporary ones are also included, as well as a few of foreign manufacture. This book also sells for $29.95.

The tenth edition of the Collector’s Encyclopedia of Fiesta, by Bob & Sharon Huxford, gives updates on this ever-popular pattern of the Homer Laughlin Company. The book includes many new photos and new information that has become available since the previous edition. The group photos that show an individual piece in every color in which it was made are especially appealing. Also included are many of the other products made by HLC, including the Mexican decaled lines, contemporary Post 86 Fiesta and Laughlin Art China. The book sells for $24.95.

These books are all published by Collector Books and are available from local booksellers; from the publisher at P.O. Box 3009, Paducah, KY 42002; or online at www.collectorbooks.com.

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