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!

So... You Would Like Me to Identify Your Glass?

I get many requests to identify glass for people. This is flattering of course, but I am hardly an expert. Of course, the definition of "an expert" is someone who knows more than you do. So by that very generous definition, maybe I am!

Anyway, I will always try to help someone if I can. If the person asks nicely, I will gladly look at a clear photograph and do my best. What I will not do is first identify it, then provide a valuation and then agree to buy it. I may offer a range of book value, with the caveats that pricing depends on condition and that actual values vary and so on. And I may in rare instances offer to buy.

It is unethical to first offer a valuation and then offer to buy. I won't do it. And I am not a qualified appraiser; I only know what my books suggest and what I see items sell at online auction.

If you want me to help you, here's what to do.
1. Ask.
2. Take one very good picture, ideally of the pattern.
3. Send it.
4. Say "please" and "thank you".

If I cannot identify it or you don't agree, please don't argue. I did my best.

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?

Newport Cobalt Blue Depression Glass

This is the footed sugar bowl in Hazel Atlas' cobalt blue depression glass. The pattern is Newport and also called Hairpin. You can find Newport in cobalt and amethyst depression glass.

Hazel Atlas used these molds with their colored Platonite opaque glass during the 1950s but it is apparently not common here in mid-Michigan as we've never seen it!

Newport is a neat shape with the design causing small scallops in the rim that are echoed in the foot of this sugar. The blue is especially attractive; to me the amethyst lacks sparkle.

If you like blue or amethyst glass, consider Newport as your pattern of choice!

Georgian - Lovely Honeycomb Glassware

This is the footed sherbet from Viking Glass in their Georgian pattern. Almost every glass company made a Georgian pattern and it can be difficult to tell them apart, especially the water tumblers. Some pieces, like this sherbet or the matching goblet, are much easier.

We got a large set of Viking amber Georgian this summer and it is slowly finding new homes. There is an abundance of it available so it sells slowly and is not very expensive.

Viking made Georgian in many colors, as did Cambridge, Paden City, Fenton, Hocking and others. One way to tell makers is by the number of mold seams and whether the base is ground. Viking did not grind their bases but Cambridge and other elegant glass companies did. My grandmother had a set of ruby Georgian water tumblers and I still like this design.

Burple - Horrible Name for Nice Depression Glass!

This nice pattern with an icky name has curved ribs between rows of dots in ascending sizes. It is quite attractive and has a vintage look. The pattern name? Burple. Isn't that an awful name for something nice?

This is from Hocking Glass during the depression. All we have ever seen here were the bowls, usually the larger bowl, about 8 inches across as shown here. Replacements shows two sizes of plates and a cup and saucer in addition to this larger bowl and small individual bowls. You are most likely to find this in clear but Hocking also made Royal Ruby and Forest Green. We had the green and it is quite attractive but to my mind doesn't show off the deco style as well as the clear.

Let's Try Again - Another Central Glass Lovely Stem

I had high hopes for my Central Glass Thistle etch cocktail but no luck; the auction expired without a nibble on New Years Day. We're going to try another unusual stem from Central Glass, this time the Floral Trumpets etch champagne sherbet. Even the blank (glass shape) is somewhat uncommon. Floral Trumpets is etch number 22 and the blank is number 364.

My reference book shows this blank in an ad which is how I know what it is! Central Glass had some unusual and very pretty etches. This one is unlike any other with the flower sprays blooming from the trumpet-like shapes.

In 2005 my biggest sales week was between Christmas and New Years and January 2006 was one of my best ever months. In 2006 November and December dragged right until the last week, in fact New Years Eve was as much as the rest of December. Then sales plummeted in January 2007 and stayed low until mid-November. In 2007 December was pretty good and steady, but there was no surge at the end. I saved many of my best - and most expensive - items until after Christmas but they did not sell. We'll try again.