Many of the reproduced items in the L. G. Wright line are covered animal dishes. He produced a number of different animals, usually on a base unlike the original base. For this reason, it is important to keep bases and tops together as much as possible. The animals Mr. Wright produced include the Atterbury full-bodied duck, but without the patent information from the original mold. Mr. Wright also reproduced the Atterbury bull’s head mustard jar, with the protruding tongue ladel, although this is often missing. This piece also does not have the patent information that the original had, distinguishing it from the original in that and the colors in which it is available.

Many of the Wright covered animals dishes come in slag colorings, white with a dark purple, blue, or red, or amber glass swirled together. Those in transparent or translucent colors will also be available in colors not originally found in the original production of the mold. Wright has thirteen different 5 1/2 inch covered animal dishes, as well as a number of the more common, larger 7 inch size. The Wright turkey covered dish can be found in both a 6 inch versions and a 9 inch version. These are reproductions of the US Glass or Cambridge glass turkey covered dishes, but the “ground” on which the turkey stands is smooth, as is the underside of the base, unlike the original ones by Cambridge and US Glass.

Another area where L. G. Wright resurrected old molds is in the font and shade of oil lamps, although his were modified for electricity rather than being true oil lamps. The electric lamps were made from light-colored translucent glass and had various flowers or fruits molded into the glass parts. The glass was then painted appropriately to highlight the molded glass flowers (or fruit). The Glass Review issue for May, 1983 (vol. 13, no. 4), has several pages of these lamps. And I must say I find them appalling. Too fussy and floral for my taste, I guess. Better an old, honest oil lamp, for looks, or a regular glass lamp for light.

To see the L. G. Wright animal covered dishes, try to get access to Glass Collector’s Digest, vol. 5, no. 3, October/November 1991. The turkeys are covered in some detail in Glass Review, vol. 16, no. 11, November 1986.

For covered animal dishes. L. G. Wright or not, the word is probably “caveat.” Only buy what you like for the price at hand until you learn for yourself the in and outs of reproductions and originals. Or work with someone who will refund your money is something they sold you turns out to be something else. “Caveat.”

See L. G. Wright glass.

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Although the US Glass Company started two modern factories after its establishment, only the Tiffin factory (factory R) and one at Glassport, Pennsylvania, (factory GP) were in production by 1963, when the Glassport factory was effectively destroyed by a tornado. Factory R produced its goods under the Tiffin trademark from 1916 on. The corporate headquarters for US Glass were moved to Tiffin, OH, in 1938. Production ceased in 1980, but the Tiffin/Factory R glassware is still well known for its quality. Over fifty patterns of etched and shallow-cut glasses have been produced over the years, and these patterns include the many shapes and sizes of glasses required for the well-established home.

Besides table glassware, Tiffin produced animal figures, cigarette holders and ashtrays, baskets, bookends, candelabrum and candlesticks, vases, flower frogs, rose and ivy bowls, bonbon and candy dishes and jars, lamps and lampshades, punch bowls sets, snack sets, salt & pepper shakers, jugs, and pitchers. There is even a Tiffin Glass Collectors Club, with annual show and sale, and a Tiffin Glass Museum. For those on the glass pilgrimage in Ohio, Tiffin is a sure stop.

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Snow globes with college and university logos or mascots can be found at collegiate stores near campuses or online. Souvenir snow globes can be found at such prosaic venues as grocery stores, drug stores and museum gift shops. The “snow” in these globes, called flitter, may be the usual white flakes, or it can be glitter or any other appropriately dense granular material.

Sometimes the non-Christmas water globes come with music boxes built in. This can be especially true for souvenir globes from places with recognizable themes songs, like Chicago and New York. Other non-Christmas globes with underwater scenes may have appropriate music installed. That Happy Birthday globe may play The Birthday Song. Musicals on Broadway engender water globes with popular songs and appropriate scenes from the play as water globes as well.

Keep a look out, and you will begin to see these non-Christmas snow globes more ofter than you think. You might even begin a new collection. I’m thinking about starting one myself.

The images on this post are from Stock Xchnge.

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To find stamps with glass connections requires a stroll though the various volumes of the Scott’s Catalog of Stamps. Usually available at your local library, one need only page through the volumes, paper or electronic, looking for stamps with glass connections. Creating a list of the country and Scott’s numbers is the first step for making such a topical stamp collection. Note also the Scott’s price, and the price you pay for the stamps will have some relation to the Scott’s price, and not necessarily at full price.

Once you have some stamps on your want list, work with local or mail=order stamp dealers to purchase the stamps you want. You may find some that are too peripheral or too expensive for your tastes, but keep the information in case you change your mind later abou8t including those stamps. You can save the expensive ones as special presents or for work bonuses.

Once you start getting in your stamps, you will need a binder with appropriate pages for holding your stamps. Make sure to follow your dealer’s advice about acid and PET-free stamp pages and binder to protect your monetary investment. You can arrange the stamps in whatever way pleases you, but keep the information of which sets your own as well as the ones you are still looking for, for future reference.

Nearly every hobby shows up on stamps, both US and internationally, at some point or other, so look for the stamps that illustrate your special interests and start a topical stamp collection. Easy to store and arrange, stamps can provide hours of fun as you search for and purchase glass on stamps.

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La collection Daum (Musée des Beaux-Arts de Nancy) © by dalbera

Daum of Nancy, France, was one of the most successful producers of cameo glass at the end of the Nineteenth Century. The natural motifs of Art Nouveau were especially suited to this form of glass. Daum still produces glass in this technique, as well as the crystal clear products the company is famous for.

Emile Galle (1846-1904) was another successful glass designer using the cameo glass technique.

La main aux algues et aux coquillages (Emile Gallé) © by dalbera

This work is rather unusual in it depicts the human hand. His works are found in museums and fine glass collections world-wide.

Cameo glass was first produced in the ancient world. The technique was lost and found several times, most recently in the mid-Nineteenth Century. John Northwood was able to reproduce the Portland Vase, from First Century Rome, and the flourishing of cameo glass is England followed. French glass designers followed suit, and there are many fine examples of turn-of-the-century cameo glass both in and out of museums.

Vase du Emile Gallé © by dalbera

More recently, while Daum still produces cameo glass, American glass makers have also taken up the challenge. Fenton makes a number of vases and lamps in cameo glass, and the Pilgrim Glass Company made some vases and bowls between the 1980′s and it closing in 2001. There is also some new cameo glass described as Bayel of France that seems to come from the Royal Champagne Crystal Work located in Bayel, Champagne, France. More about this production may be forthcoming.

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Baccarat

Baccarat has two new ornaments specifically for 2011, Jingle Bells and a Fir Tree.

Lenox

Lenox’s crystal ornaments for 2011 is a pair of First Christmas Toasting Flutes.

Kosta Boda

Kosta Boda has a new cute Noel Santa Claus standing ornament for 2011.

Lalique

Lalique’s addition to their ornament series for 2011 is “Masque de Femme” in red.

Orrefors

Orrefors has an unusually shaped Holly Heart ornaments for 2011.

Cash’s Crystal

Cash’s Celtic Shamrock ornament and Celtic Snowflake ball ornament are new for 2011 and inscribed with the year.

Swarovski

Swarovski has a number of special ornaments for 2011, some of which are additions to continuing series. There is a Large Crystal Star, a Little Snowflake/Star ornament, Santa’s hat in red and clear, a Christmas Cookie Wreath, a Christmas Tree, an Angel, a Star ornament, a Kris Bear with a green Christmas tree, a Wishing star, and a cow in a Santa Suit titled Santa Mo or Moo.

Waterford

Finally, Waterford has a wide array of annual Christmas ornaments to choose from, including: an annual angel, a beautiful ruby cased ball, an ornaments titled Twas the Night Before Christmas with flying reindeer, sleigh and Santa Claus, Christmas Wonders which is a Teddy Bear, Snowflake Wishes for Joy, Lismore toasting Flutes ornament, an annual seahorse (Company Logo) ornament. The company also has a set of train car ornaments, including an Engine, Coal Car, Box Car and Caboose, which can be purchased together as a set or individually. The crystal 12 Days of Christmas is the Five Gold Rings for 2011. There is also a Shamrock, a Cross, a Christmas Tree, a Commitment ornament, a Fleur de Lis, a Snowstar and a Snow Crystal Pierced ornament for this year.

To commemorate special occasions, Waterford has a Our New Home ornament which is a Christmas tree and snowman beside front door, an Our First Christmas ornament and Baby’s First ornament, a crystal baby bottle with silver nipple.

Waterford also honors Jim O’Leary with a Lismore ornament, and a Snow Crystals ornament.

For the New Year, Waterford has a Times Square for 2012 ball titled “Let There Be Friendship” and a disk ornament titled “Let There Be Love.”

Marquis, a line made by Waterford, includes an Annual Snowflake, a red train engine, Baby’s First Christmas of a Teddy Bear, a snowman, an Our First Christmas ornament with a heart and a blown glass ornament of blue bells. They also have an annual ball ornament, and a blown glass baby rattle for Baby’s First Christmas.

Crystal is a lovely way to make Christmas ornaments that will pick up the electric lights in their vicinity and spread it around, so there are many crystal and glass ornaments available every year. These are just those made specifically for the year 2011. Looking online or at Christmas stores, you can see the full range of glass and crystal ornaments for sale this year.

See some of these 2011 ornaments.

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Soda-pop and soft drink bottles: Usually made from sturdy glass in order to survive transhipment, soft drink bottles were also painted with the company and drink name, making them collectibles where the presence or absence of a paper label is usually not a consideration. Also, the use of many colors make these bottles attractive on their own, with or without contents. Signature shapes, like the Coca-Cola bottles, also bring interest to this area of bottle collecting. Bottle cap collecting can be an adjunct collection for this collectible.

Bitters bottles: When the taxation of alcohol began, many formulas became bitters, “medicinal” tonics to cure whatever ailed you, and give you a kick in the pants in the process. Bitters were so popular that different brands had signature bottles and frequently had the name impressed on the bottle at the time of manufacture. These bottles also come in various colors, including cobalt and brown. Having the paper labels increases the value, as the labels were often soaked off so the bottles could be reused in the home once the original contents were gone.

Milk bottles: Back when the milk came to you, it was delivered in milk and cream bottles. The creamery painted their name on the bottles, in hopes of returns as well as advertising inside the home. Collecting these bottles can be a lesson in geography, as each town had one or more milk processing plants, and you can expand your area of collection as broadly as desired. Bottle cap collecting can be an adjunct collection in this area as well.

Beer bottles: Like soda-pop bottles, but usually colored green or brown, beer bottles (with caps, corks or other closures) brings painted labels, paper labels and fancy, signature shapes to the table. Even starting a collection of today’s beers, whether you drink the contents or not, can bring pleasure to the collecting heart. Look at the supermarket for those easily acquired, then you can start looking at beers at bars, restaurants, and import stores. An easy collection to start, and you can quit whenever you want.

Household bottles: These collectibles were used to hold corrosive and other dangerous household fluids in generations past. Like Poison bottles, they make our plastic society seem safer, somehow, in that such sturdy containers are not needed for household cleaning solutions anymore.

Poison bottles: Bottles made specifically to be identified as containing something that would kill you, these bottles are macabre now. We like to think such are unnecessary, but our society just hides the dangerous away instead of making it perfectly obvious that the contents are dangerous. A collection of poison bottles will certainly set the tone of your decor.

Medicine bottles: Similar to poison and bitters bottles, medicine bottles can either amuse or horrify, depending on whether the paper labels are still intact. Collecting these may be a little more difficult, but reading about the contents while you search will provide plenty of amusement at the afflictions suffered in previous times.

Cosmetic bottles: Most cosmetics used to be brought home in glass containers of various sizes and many shapes. There are many, many possibilities in this area, depending on whether you want to collect by size or color of glass container, company or product. The paper labels maybe of interest, or you may want to collect only those without labels.

Wine and whiskey bottles: In wine bottles, the beauty of the glass containers is in the shape, as the colors are pretty mundane, dark green, brown and the light-green of unperfected soda-lime glass formulas. If you add liquor bottles, then you get the clear glass bottles, some with imprinted or etched designs, as well as a wider array of shapes and sizes. Again, you can collect empty or full bottles, as you see fit, and include labels or not, as seems most pleasing to you.

Baby bottles: With the advent of the bottles used with disposable liners and bags, the baby bottles of today are plastic. But older baby bottles were made of glass so they could be sterilized before use. Many were broken over time, but there are still some of these relics left. Labels are a moot point, as brand name and measurements were impressed and sometimes painted on these bottles. Fairly plain and in only a few sizes, this collection becomes a hunt for brands and condition.

As one can see, there are number of major areas in collecting bottles. Even if only considering the color of the glass and shape, a nice collection awaits at your liquor store. If you get interested in the bottles of the past, there are clubs, magazines, shows and other pleasures awaiting you. Pick a place to start, and see where you end up.

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Wistarberg glass, where it can definitively be identified as such, is truly Early American or Colonial glass. Early in the Twentieth Century, the drive to collect such glass led to the identification of a lot of glass of the same style and wear as Wistarberg, but those attributions must be taken with a grain of salt. At the time of manufacture, given the technology available, most of the glass looks a lot alike. There are only so many things one can do to the form and decoration of glass, and any popular form or fashion was quickly copied by other glass houses. The collecting of Wistarberg is fraught with peril for the average glass aficionado.

That being said, there are many examples of South Jersey glass from that and later periods to see seen in museums, and which can be reproduced today, with care to identify it as such. The Early American forms are fairly plain, letting the beauty of the glass speak for itself. The colors are strong, in many cases, with simple applies feed and handles. They show the best of the glass makers art in that the simple forms are beautiful with little or no decoration.

For anyone collecting glass, the occasion to see and be near Wistarberg glass must be exciting, but do not let that excitement overpower your critical senses or budgetary limits to acquire this glass. As stated, glass of the era was easily replicated, as the skills to make it arose in each generation of glass workers until the modern machinery made hand blowing and forming glass into a studio movement. The glass of today, with its more sophisticated formulas and controls, is unlikely to produce a similar glass without considerable work, so new Wistarberg glass is not a likely as Nineteenth Century examples.

To collect Early American glass, one must become an expert in the glass properties and manufacturing techniques of the times. Then, after studying those pieces of early South Jersey glass in museums, one can begin to try to separate the real old glass from later examples from the same area of manufacture. This can be done, no doubt, given time and effort, and could lead to the establishment of an extraordinary glass collection, but one that is far beyond the scope of this site. If you decide to give it a try, best wishes to you.

New Jersey has been the home to glass manufacturing for centuries now, and much fine glass is still made there today. To see this glass, a vacation trip to the area would be most beneficial. I’ll meet you there.

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Most Verlys pieces have the “Verlys” name scratched in signature form on them. The style of the etched figures of the natural motifs of birds, bugs, flowers and plants on a clear ground make then relatively easy to identify. Some additional buffing of the etched figures may give certain parts of the design highlights, complimenting the satiny etched effect nicely.

Besides the etched crystal, Verlys produced some of their items in the colors of amber, topaz, rose, Directoire Blue (a light, true blue) and opalescent. Color was dropped in 1940, and only etched crystal was produced thereafter.

Besides at least two dozen bowls and more than a dozen vases, Verlys produced a console set, a buffet set, cigarette boxes and ashtrays, candlesticks, bookends and plaques.

World War II brought a drop in production, and the company never recovered to it’s pre-war output levels. Production finally ceased in 1951, but, as usual, that was not the end of the Verlys products. The molds were leased by Heisey from 1955 to 1957, and this company produced some items in crystal and turquoise. The molds were purchased in 1966 by the Fenton Art Glass Company, which produced a few items in 1970s in white and black milk glass, purple carnival glass, orange and orange satin glass, and French opalescent glass. These later items will not have Verlys scratched name as those produced by the Verlys Company do.

The Verlys products have a nice look and feel, even when the molds are used by other glass houses, and are well worth collecting. Watch for them at antique stores and shows, and on eBay.

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Antique Knife Rests

Glass knife rests are an easy collection to start. Ask in most antique stores and there will be one or two you can look at. The cut glass ones sparkle with the best of this form of glass, and this is a collectibles you can use as well. Sometimes an entire set in the original packaging is available. Look for older sets at estate sales as well.

New Knife Rests

New knife rests are sold in sets of six or eight, and are still made today. These may be fancy, like the cut glass ones of old, or relatively plain in shape but in various colors, so each place has a special knife rest. Knife rests today are also made from several metals, including sterling and silver plate, as well as pewter, and they are made from other materials as well.

Use of Knife Rests

Knife rests are and were used where the table setting of flatware has only one knife for the entire meal. As food course follows course, the knife is placed on the rest when the previous plate is leaving the table and the next course is coming out of the kitchen. Say, between the roast beef and Yorkshire pudding main dish and the fruit and cheese dessert plate. Whether the meal is served on a bare table top, place mats or linen tablecloth, no householder wants the remains of any course on the table when the meal is complete. Hence, the knife rest.

Older versions may be combined with a napkin ring or an open salt dip, but most are single function items. Many are long enough, or have two flat places, so the fork can be saved for the next course as well as the knife. Carving sets also frequently have knife rests, which can also have a place to rest the carving fork when not in use.

Chopstick Rests

Chopstick rests are a version of the knife rest from a different eating utensil tradition, showing that the concern for reusing the eating utensils while not making a mess on the table is relatively universal. Chopstick rests have the same advantages as knife rests as a collectible, but the sets will come in odd numbers, usually five, as odd numbers are luckier in the East. Most chopstick rests are made from china.

Chopstick rests are frequently in the form of animals or food items, and are rarely larger than an inch and a half or two inches. Knife rests are generally from two to four inches long. Both versions of this utilitarian items rest securely on the table, as there is no point in having a knife rest that wobbles and dumps the eating apparatus onto the tablecloth after all the effort of making and having a rest to prevent that very thing.

See knife rests.

Learn More

Many antique and collectibles books may have a section on knife rests, or list knife rests among other glass and porcelain table items, but for pictures of many knife rests, see Knife Rests by Virginia L. Neas, Glassy Mountain Press, Pickens, South Carolina, 1987.

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