|
Glass Maker History (page 5)
Interesting History and Tidbits about
Glass Makers from both Past and Present
McKee
Glass:
McKee was begun in 1853 and was reorganized in 1903 as the McKee
Glass Co. Early wares were pressed wares of most every description, the
serviceable, the decorative: for the office, home and kitchen. Most of the glass
produced were made by hand until gradual introduction of automatic methods were
in place in the 1940's. Kitchenware was their main issue for over 20 years.
Colored lines began in the 20's but the depression sent them to a new low. There
opaque dinnerware line, kitchenware and even Sunkist reamers were so popular it
brought the company back.
Popular Patterns: Innovation Line, Rock
Crystal, Tambour Clocks, Laurel and loads of Jadite, Seville Yellow and Custard
Kitchenware.
Morgantown Glass:
Morgantown Glass Co. was formed in 1903 as Economy Tumbler
Co. under which it operated until 1929 when the name was again changed to
Morgantown Glass Co. Through the late 20's and mid 30's the company developed
many new lines and colors which were the front lines of the trade.
Popular Patterns: Art Moderne, Golf Ball Stems, Krinkle and Dancing
Girl.
New
Martinsville Glass:
The plant
opened in New Martinsville, West Virginia in 1901. Color was introduced almost
from the beginning. They earned the image of an innovator in the glass industry.
During the mid 20's they popularized vanity sets and promoted liquor-sets even
during prohibition. In the 30's adding more new color and table patterns until
an early return to crystal. In 1944 the company was bought and renamed the
Viking Glass Co.
Popular Patterns: Moondrops, Janice, Prelude and Radiance.
Westmoreland Glass:
Originally titled the Specialty Glass Company Westmoreland began
operations in East Liverpool, Ohio, producing utility items as well as tableware
in milk glass and crystal. When the company moved to Grapeville, Pennsylvania,
in 1890, lamps vases, covered animal dishes, and decorative plates were
introduced. Prior to 1920 Westmoreland was a major manufacturer of carnival
glass and soon thereafter added a line of lovely reproduction art glass items.
High-quality milk glass became milk glass became their specialty, accounting for
about 90% of their production. Black glass was introduced in the 1940s, and
later in the decade ruby-stained pieces and items decorated in the Mary Gregory
style became fashionable. By the 1960s colored glassware was being produced,
examples of which are very popular with collectors today. Early pieces were
marked with a paper label; by the 1960s the ware was embossed with a
superimposed ‘WG’. The last mark was a circle contained ‘Westmoreland’ around
the perimeter and a large ‘W’ in the center. The company closed in 1985, and on
February 28, 1996, the factory burned to the ground.
Popular Patterns: English
Hobnail, Della Robbia, Princess Feather, Dolphin and Shell Lines and Paneled
Grape.
• Home • Page 1 • Page 2 • Page 3 • Page 4 • Page 5 •
We accept Mastercard and Visa on our Secure Server
 
We also accept
|
