Morgantown Virginia Emblem & Swag Etched Stemware

If you've read our blog before maybe you saw the series we did on the romance of vintage stemware. Yes, stemware makes a romantic wedding gift as a way to add tradition to the new family and provide a link to the past. Champagne stems are particularly appropriate and could be used for the toast at the reception.

Here is a champagne by Morgantown, with the Virginia etching. We don't find much Morgantown glass in this area and we bought this on eBay. Virginia has a central emblem connected by swags interspersed with plumes and flowers. It is prettier in person than in the photos, although not a personal favorite.

We have the footed water tumblers and have just added these champagne stems to our TIAS and eBay store linked below.
Catladykate's Elegant and Depression Glass at TIAS http://www.tias.com/stores/catladykate/
Catladykate at eBay http://stores.ebay.com/Vintage-Elegant-Depression-Glass

Romance of Vintage Stemware - Morgantown Virginia Etched Tumbler

Morgantown Glass went through several changes of name and ownership, beginning as the Economy Glass Company and eventually bought by Fostoria in 1965 and closed a few years later. They were known for their crinkle glass and wide color range and also produced several notable etchings, among them Virginia.

This is the footed water tumbler in Morgantown's Virginia, here etched on an optic glass shape, blank 7711. You may find Virginia on other glass blanks and of course Morgantown produced the usual wide range of stemware, plates and bowls.

Virginia is quite pretty with a central urn motif flanked by swags of leaves and flowers. To me it has a formal appearance and would go well with some of the Lenox china.

We offer this in both our TIAS and eBay stores. Come check us out at the links below.

Catladykate's Elegant and Depression Glass at TIAS http://www.tias.com/stores/catladykate/
Catladykate at eBay http://stores.ebay.com/Vintage-Elegant-Depression-Glass

Romance of Vintage Stemware: Morgantown Mayfair - Baskets Overflowing with Flowers

It seems like every glass maker had a Mayfair pattern! Hocking's was mold etched roses, Fostoria's was square and this one, by Morgantown, has three baskets overflowing with flowers and connected by swags and leaves. The piece you see here is the footed water tumbler.

For some reason many Morgantown stemware patterns are less expensive than similar glass from Cambridge or Heisey. As an example, book value on this footed tumbler is about $15-20, while many etched Cambridge patterns would be $20-40. If you like the Morgantown patterns that may help make it easier to decide to collect this stemware.

To my eye many Morgantown etchings are overly complicated, but this one is nice, simple enough that you can see the design but beautiful. There are three baskets repeated around the bowl of the tumbler and they always make me think of tulips with the thin base and overflowing tops.

We have this particular stem listed on eBay this week and have more in our TIAS store.
http://stores.ebay.com/Vintage-Elegant-Depression-Glass
http://www.tias.com/stores/catladykate/