- PART ONE - Systematic Topics; the Brilliant Period
- PART TWO - Individual Glass Companies and Cutting Shops Operating during the Brilliant Period (c1875-c1920)
- PART THREE - The Early and Middle Periods and Their Glass Companies and Cutting Shops (c1810-c1875)
- PART FOUR - Miscellaneous Topics and Resources (Links)
- ADDENDUM 5 - New Files Used to Update Version 5.2 to Version 5.3 of the Fifth Edition
- Appendix A: U. S. Glass Patents
- Appendix B: Some Unidentified Patterns and Manufacturers
- Appendix C: Other Collectible Glass (Bonus Files)
- Appendix D: Bibliography/Further Reading
As you probably know by now Yahoo will be closing GeoCities -- which has been our only server since 1997 -- on 26 October 2009. After this date you will no longer be able to access any of the GUIDE'S files online, only those that have been "saved" by Antique Glassworks offline. These offline files have been designated as the Fifth Edition (Version 5.3 Augmented) of the GUIDE, and copies are available loaded on to a 1GB flash drive. An Internet Explorer 7 browser was used to save these data. They occupy about 90MB, leaving plenty of space on the flash drive for any notes you may wish to make, supplementary images you would like to save, etc.
It is suggested that you might consider buying a copy of Version 5.3 Augmented of the GUIDE at this time, but only if it would be your only copy of the Fifth Edition. (If you have an earlier version you presumably have already updated it to Version 5.3 Augmented.) The 1GB flash drive costs $8.00. Of this amount $5.00 is for the flash drive and $3.00 for its packaging and shipping. There is no charge for the GUIDE itself.
Whenever one purchases a copy of the GUIDE from Antiques Glassworks, he or she is automatically registered as a member of our informal association, ANTIQUE GLASSWORKS. Members are notified of future updates for the GUIDE and also have access to a small collection of cut-glass items that is available only to them and only here in Corning. Some of these items are shown below.
Greatly appreciating your interest, I am
20 August 2009
Corning, NY
jmhavens99@hotmail.com
Please note that these items can only be obtained in Corning, NY where they can be seen by appointment. They can not be shipped. Potential buyers who live far from Corning sometimes enlist the assistance of local dealers/collectors as surrogates. Prices are available upon request. (All images are by JMH except where otherwise noted.)
SELECTION 1. 11"H English covered urn; 7"D individual dessert plate in the Gladys pattern by T. G. Hawkes & Company; solid amber-colored lead-glass paperweight, probably from the 1920s; new cut-glass items in optical lead glass, including pyramidal form in pink glass.
SELECTION 2. Similar to SELECTION 1, but here we wanted to draw your attention to the difference in color between the polygonal paperweight from the 1920s -- its internal reflections are especially well-illustrated -- and an c1840 Biedermeier goblet from Bohemian (see SELECTION 3, below). The former color is what most people call amber while the latter color is usually referred to as yellow -- caused by the addition of silver chloride to the batch -- in discussions of nineteenth century Bohemian glass. It was developed as a stain during the 1820s by Friedrich Egermann (1777-1864) who later invented a red version. Staining is usually regarded as a "cheap" process, but examples such as this one that were made before c1860, are of high quality.
Also notice the rather odd "ornament" on the far right in SELECTION 1. This is actually a "marriage" of two pieces: a candle holder topped with a globular "drop" -- both are cut in optical lead glass and both are completely faceted. The candle-holder base is marketed by SIA (pronounced SEE-ah). SIA represents the initals of the Swedish entrepreneur who started the company that now sells upscale items, many from China and Southeast Asia, worldwide. The Corning Museum of Glass usually has a selection of SIA glass items for sale, sometimes (for limited time-periods) at prices that are well below what one finds on the Internet. In SELECTION 1 the drop in the ornament has a diameter of about 2.5". In SELECTION 2 it has been replaced with one that has diameter of about 1.5", resulting in an ornament with much better proportions (see close-up below); overall H = 3.5". Simply lift off the drop to convert the ornament to a candle holder.
These globular drops are being made by several Asian companies. I have not been able to determine any difference in quality between the glass metal used by Steuben (from the 1930s to the present-day) and what is now being produced in Asia in optical lead glass. Computer technology is obvisely involved in the manufacture of these blanks as well as being used in cuttings (facets) of high quality as illustrated by these examples from SIA.
Finally, observe that the Gladys plate in SELECTION 1 has been replaced with a similar item in SELECTION 2, but one that is cut in the rare Venetian pattern by T. G. Hawkes & Company.
SELECTION 3. Colored Biedermeier goblet. Bohemia (possibly Haida) c1840. H = 6.5" (16.5 cm), rim D = 3.75" (9.5 cm), foot D = 3.38" (8.6 cm), wt = 2 lb (0.91 kg). Please see the foreign4.htm file in Part 1 for additional information.
SELECTION 4. Pair of Cut-Glass Urns. Probably England, c1800. H =11". Oval bruise (D = c3/16"), caused by rubbing, in an uncut area of one urn, but the urns, with normal wear, are both in remarkably fine condition. Please see the foreign5.htm file in Part One for detailed specifications. At the present time these urns are being offered only as a matched pair. When you purchase the pair you will also have the option of obtaining, without charge, the following dictionary which is in like-new condition: THE NEW SHORTER OXFORD ENGLISH DICTIONARY. 1993 edition, 2 vols., 3,799 pp. Thumb Index Edition. If the pair of urns does not sell, the urns will be offered separately, probably later this year.
SELECTION 5. Rare cut-glass Piggin. Probably Ireland, c1800. Lead glass with a grayish tint. This piggin was listed as a "Buy It Now" item on eBay and identified by the seller only as a "condiment jar with handle". The following images are displayed clockwise from the upper left: (A), (B), (C), and (D). Please see the piggins.htm file in the Addendum 5 folder for additional information concerning this unusual item (Images: Judy Emmert).
(A): H = 5.5" (14.0 cm), D of base = 3.5" (8.9 cm), wt = 1.1 lb (0.5 kg). Note the reflection in a mirror that has been placed behind the piggin.
(B): H of bowl: 3.2" (8.1 cm), D top of bowl: 3.6" (9.1 cm), D bottom of bowl: 3.4" (8.6 cm).
(C): D of base: 3.5 " (8.9 cm), D of ground and polished pontil: 1.9" (4.8 cm).
(D): H of handle: 2.3" (5.8 cm).
SELECTION 6. 7"D Individual dessert plates by T. G. Hawkes & Company in the company's Venetian and Gladys patterns. Green faceted pyramidal paperweight in optical lead glass from China or SE Asia (new).
SELECTION 7. Miscellaneous items.
Pair of finger bowls, probably before 1901, cut in one of the several different No. 1 patterns that were advertised by T. G. Hawkes & Company. And one of a set of six champagne glasses in the Renaissance or No. 33 pattern, probably by Hawkes or Pairpoint.
Finger bowl in the Strawberry Diamond & Fan pattern by an unidentified manufacturer. Individual salt with 12-pt hobstar base in the patented Colonial pattern by Dorflinger, D = 2". Champagne glass from a set of six, as above.
Goblet, c1870. Engraved "Greek Key" pattern with monogram. Ground and polished pontil.
Nappy cut in the Vernay pattern by Hawkes (signed with tiny block letters). Blank probably by Pairpoint. D = 5.9", H = 2.4", wt = 0.95 lb. Individual salt by Dorflinger, as above.
