Bryce Line 854 Etched Goblet - Stunning Tracery Design

Bryce is not so well known as Cambridge or Fostoria, which is a shame as they made some truly wonderful etched glass. It's interesting that most of my Bryce glass has sold quickly and for good prices, which tells me that those who recognize Bryce or who have pieces already, want to get more.

This particular etching was used on other stemware shapes and one reference I found called it "Paige" when on a different blank. The line number 854 may refer to the blank and not this specific etch.

I bought this on eBay and the photo was not real good leading me to think it possibly was Cambridge Windows Border. The design is somewhat similar to the Cambridge as both have spiral like swirls, but the Bryce lacks the border and is more delicate.

We have this listed on our store Cat Lady Kate's Elegant and Depression Glass. http://www.tias.com/stores/catladykate/

Thistle Etched Elegant Stemware - Fry Glass

Fry was one of several elegant glass makers which had a thistle etching. This is the Fry Glass Thistle etch, decoration number 15.

Thistles are popular motifs, possibly due to their prevalence in Scottish designs. Fry's is particularly nice with the flowing thistle leaves and the delicate up swept stems with thistle buds surrounding a central blossom.

Fry made some very beautiful glass with rich, complex etches and quality crystal. Although they are not so well known as Fostoria or Cambridge, many people recognize the quality and cherish their glass.

Fostoria Garland - Lovely Urn and Wreath Etched Stemware

Beautiful etch is Garland from Fostoria. This dates to between 1915 and 1928 and is lovely with today's table settings.

Fostoria made a cutting called Garland also, and they used a second stemware line for this etch. If you like this you will want to be sure you are getting the etch and stemware blank you prefer. The other blank has a much wider stem and the bowl is more bulbous.

Garland features an urn overflowing with flowers and leaves that form swags around the bowl. The swags connect to round wreaths that have ribbons at the end. You can see the wreaths in this view.

During the early part of the 20th century formal dinners often included multiple wines and used separate stems for each one. This is one reason why the wine stems from early days are much smaller than wine stems one buys today. This particular wine goblet holds only 2 3/4 ounces when filled to the very brim. This is the common size for older wine stems - another point to know if you decide to indulge yourself with vintage crystal stemware.

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

New: We started a blog for people who are just beginning to enjoy depression glass called Depression Glass 101. http://depressionglassguide.blogspot.com/

June Beautiful June! Flowers All Tied with a Bow

Beautiful stem, isn't it. This is the wonderful June etching by Fostoria and it's on the Fairfax blank. June has sprays of flowers all tied with bows and a ribbon that dips down to make a loop on the bouquet. So lovely, so romantic, so very elegant.

June etch is similar to the later Romance etching, but you can tell it apart by the little extra loop of ribbon - so perfectly exuberant - and the blanks Fostoria used. Tomorrow I'll show a Romance bowl so you can see the difference!

This is the cocktail stem and it's listed on our TIAS store and on eBay!

Elegant Stemware with a Twist! Fostoria Contour Champagne Sherbet

This is the champagne sherbet in Fostoria's Contour elegant glass. This dates to the late 1950s to 1960s as Fostoria made this pattern from 1955 to 1970. It has a mid-century modern styling with the curved stem and generous round bowl.

Swedish modern was all the rage in the 1950s and this must have been Fostoria's answer to the pricey Scandinavian art glass of the time. Contour pieces all have curves - lots and lots of curves - and the plates are cupped at the rim. They really are distinctive and you'll not mistake the stemware either with its curvy stems.

I showed the creamer and sugar in a previous blog at the end of 2007 and want to get this champagne sherbet out now for those who are looking for wedding gifts or stemware for special occasions. Vintage stemware gives us an intimate connection with the past; it's beautiful and it is useful. What more could you want?

We're listing this in our eBay store, TIAS store and offering one at auction this week.

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

Fostoria Large Star Cut - Lovely Stemware from the 1920s

Large star cuttings like this were very common in the early 1900s. Fostoria made their Cutting 81, Large Star, from about 1907 to the late 1920s, indicating the stars were well-liked. Many companies made this sort of cutting.

In fact we've seen rather crummy versions of this at the local thrift store with low grade glass and pressed stars or poorly cut stars. The particular wine stem I'm showing here is high quality crystal and the cutting is well done. I think it is Fostoria, Cutting number 81, based on the number of rays in the star and so on.

People who drank wine tended to have more than one type or one glass at a dinner or to serve sherry or wine before dinner. But compare the size of the wine stems to what we use today for wine. This one is 4 1/4 inches tall and holds just under 3 ounces when filled to the brim. That means that someone would have only about 2 ounces to drink at a time.

We have a pair of these stems and matching small table tumblers listed in our TIAS and eBay stores.

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

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 - Cambridge 701 Flower Basket Goblets

If you like baskets and swags of flowers this goblet is for you. This is Etch 701 from Cambridge Glass, just a beautiful design in a beautiful shape goblet. Etch 701 is one of the many Cambridge designs that never got a name and is thus less well-known than Rose Point or Elaine.

I got this on eBay, one of the successful purchases where the glass was just as described. I originally thought it was Tiffin Diana, which also has baskets, but it clearly is Cambridge. Tiffin's Diana has larger baskets and the swag is more dramatic, hanging from the top of the baskets. (Apollo Diana by Tiffin has the same basket and swag but adds a border etch along the top of the goblet.)

If you enjoy beautiful glass, take a look at our eBay and TIAS stores for many pieces from the elegant depression era.

Catladykate at eBay:
http://stores.ebay.com/Vintage-Elegant-Depression-Glass

Cat Lady Kate's Elegant and Depression Glass on TIAS: http://www.tias.com/stores/catladykate/

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/

Romance of Vintage Stemware - Fostoria Orient

Pretty goblet dates from 1922 to 1928, over 80 years ago. Don't you wish for such a long period of looking good? This is the Orient etch by Fostoria. Etch has swags and scrolls and a delicate lacy like netting design near the top. Some of the swags look like victory wreaths.

Don't confuse this with Fostoria's Oriental etch. Oriental has birds and is very different.

I bought this last summer, took a chance that we would eventually be able to identify it. The goblet is obviously quality glass and the etch is well done and distinctive. However, I looked through every glass book and did not see this design. (Yes, I looked in my Fostoria books too.) When this happens it means that either I looked right at it and missed the connection, or it is fairly obscure, or by a company that doesn't have a good reference book.

Last week our daughter sent me a link to an auction for the same etch and some wonderful helpful eBayer notified the auction seller this was Orient. Problem solved! Thank you, kind eBayer!

This week we are listing this single goblet on our eBay auctions and it is also listed in our TIAS store.

Romance of Vintage Stemware - Cambridge Caprice

Vintage stemware adds a touch of class and romance to your home. Imagine a gift of delicate etched goblets from the depression, given with the best wishes for a marriage or life as long and gracious.

This stem is Cambridge Caprice, which is one of the last patterns released by this venerable elegant glass company. Most pieces of Caprice were pressed with graceful arched wide ribs but some of the stemware was light and airy with blown stems. This piece is one of those blown goblets.

Caprice stemware has fancy stems with the two rounded wafers and ribbed center section. You can see several colors, as if it were iridescent, in the bowl; that is due to the optic.

We're going to highlight many of our favorite stemware shapes and designs over the next few weeks, so look for more posts about stemware.

Lido Etch - Firework Puffs on Glass

Are these fireworks? Or are they milkweed puffs? Hard to tell, but this etch is Lido by Fostoria. Here we show the water goblet, which is Fostoria's Sceptre blank. The poofy etches puffs (try saying that fast 5 times) are twined around the sides of the goblet bowl.

This is a favorite etch of mine and we have the water goblets, flared Baroque bowl and Baroque torte plate. I just sold the mayo set this evening.

Go ahead and take a look at this lovely etch by Fostoria! It may become your favorite, too!

Oyster Cocktails - Fostoria Colony Crystal

Isn't this cute? It is the oyster cocktail in Fostoria's elegant crystal pattern Colony. Oyster cocktails are usually among the pricier stems, probably because they are less commonly found than sherbets or water goblets. On the other hand, what do you use them for?

Unless you eat a lot of oysters, you probably don't need a separate piece of glass for your dinner table. But wait! This is just the perfect size for today's dipping sauces, or small doses of salsa for your chips, or cocktail sauce for your shrimp.

Problem solved. We now have a very pretty piece of elegant glass stemware that is useful, ornamental, and just the perfect size. After all, those dipping sauces are rather high in calories and you want to control portions. What better way to do that than with using a piece of vintage stemware?

Central Glass Thistle Etch Stems

I'm really excited about these stems. They are Thistle etch by Central Glass. Central went out of business towards the end of the depression, 1939, and Imperial Glass acquired some of their molds. Central is best known for their Morgan etch, which has a fairy on a swing, Harding etch, which has two griffins, Balda etch and Frances pressed pattern. They made many other etches besides these.

The etch shown here is Thistle which is intricate. This is a plate etching, where the glass was coated with wax, the design applied by tracing through the wax and then the piece was immersed in acid. The acid dissolved the glass where the design had been applied through the wax. It is called a plate etching because the design was on sheets of paper that were carefully laid onto the surface. It took skill and hand work to position these just right.

There are other Thistle patterns by makers such as Tiffin. Central's is distinctive with the thistle in the center pointing down. Our stem here is the 4 inch tall cocktail and will be listed later this week.

Fostoria Eilene Needle Etched Champagne

Isn't this pretty? The pattern is Eilene, etch number 82, by Fostoria. This is a needle etch; each line is traced continuously. Needle etches were perfected earlier than plate etches and this champagne dates to about 1930. It's a little more elaborate needle etch than some.

The 5082 stem is also quite nice. In fact this is so distinctive that I was able to pick up a plain amber one without worrying about identifying it. The stem is rounded as you can see, but what doesn't show well in the photo is that it is hexagonal, six sided. There is a flat round wafer at the top and the bowl is cupped. Very very nice!

I like most shades of green and Fostoria's green glass is gorgeous, emerald in tint but not quite as dark as emerald, and it has a lot of life. You can see this on my TIAS store and it will start on eBay auction on December 9.

Heisey Empress Etched Sahara Tall Champagne / Sherbet

This is even more beautiful in person than in the photo. It is the Empress etch on Sahara Old Dominion tall champagne. Heisey Glass called their light yellow Sahara and it is simply stunning in this piece.

This is one of the pieces I bought on eBay. Someone offered this with some other stemware and the picture suggested that it might be etched. Yes it was, the seller sent me a photo of the etch, and that was all it took to make this glass lover put in a bid!

We are listing this on Monday, picking the date to be one full week before the second Monday in December. That second Monday has been one of the best days each year for online sales. We shall see. While many people collect Empress and Sahara Heisey glass, a smaller number are in the market on any given day. My hope is that by combining a desirable item with a high traffic sales day we will make two people happy - the buyer and me!

http://stores.ebay.com/Vintage-Elegant-Depression-Glass

Tiffin Classic - Scarve Draped Dancer Etched Pink Beauty

Several etched glass patterns from the elegant depression era incorporate dancers, notably the Springtime by Monongah etch and Tiffin's Classic. When Hocking Glass bought out Monongah during the depression, they converted the lovely Springtime dancer plate etching to a mold etch which could be mass produced. That pattern became the beautiful Cameo depression glass.

The design shown here, with a dancer draped in flowing scarves surrounded by swags and scrolls, is Classic by Tiffin. We were fortunate to acquire a few pieces in the pink; this is scarce and quite valuable.

The piece shown here is the small footed juice tumbler. This footed cone shape was a classic depression-era tumbler, and to me embodies the vintage look of elegance and grace. The tumbler has a subtle vertical panel optic that enhances the beauty of the design.

One reference attributed the dancer to be Isadora Duncan an early modern dance pioneer. Whether the lady in our Classic by Tiffin is Isadora or not, this is a beautiful etch that is simply gorgeous in Tiffin's pink!

http://www.tias.com/stores/catladykate/

http://stores.ebay.com/Vintage-Elegant-Depression-Glass

Cambridge Rosalie Etched Stemware - Beautiful Floral Etch

Cambridge Glass' Rosalie etched pattern is even more beautiful in person than in the photos. We found a few pieces this fall and have been listing them slowly. The odd thing about our pieces is that the blanks are not the usual Cambridge shapes that Rosalie is usually found etched. The blank is the basic glass without the etching and usually makers used more than one blank for their most popular etches. My books show Rosalie on six different stem shapes!

The goblet shown here is the number 3051 blank, quite plain with a nice shape bowl, slightly tapered stem and subtle optic. It is very pretty. My books show this in the cordial size yet we have the water goblet. Not surprising given Cambridge's range of stems, but interesting.

Rosalie has a flower and leaf scroll and swag etch but the easiest way to tell it from the myriad other flower and leaf etchings is by the squarish spiral. I don't know of any other pattern that has that motif.

We have this goblet and a matching flat tumbler listed in our store in the TIAS online collectible mall. http://www.tias.com/stores/catladykate/