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![]() Frequently Asked Glass Questions: |
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Welcome!
The items on this page represent some of the most common questions asked by people new to buying or selling glass. This page does not even scratch the surface of glass collecting, nor is it intended to do so. These are quick summaries for those who seek short answers to their glass questions. Please see the GPSA Home Page for resources if you are looking for more advanced or more detailed information. |
What pattern is this? | |
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Early American PresCut (EAPC) Anchor Hocking 1960-1999 Found almost exclusively in clear. Most items in this pattern are common. Less common items include the iced tea, oil lamp and the large paneled bowl. This pattern is sometimes called Star of David. Design Motif: Star and Rays |
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Willow, Oleander, Magnolia, Laurel
Indiana 1940's The pattern name is not known, so it is often called by one or all of these names. Also shortened to WOM or WOML.. Found almost exclusively in clear. Occasionally found with frosted leaves or colored. Design Motif: Deeply pressed leaf pattern, except the candlesticks. The pattern is large and dramatic on the round tray and bowl. The sugar and creamer are the most easy to find and feature one spray lying nearly horizontal across the front. |
Harvest
Indiana 1970's Found in blue carnival, green carnival, amber carnival and milk. Many pieces including a goblet, covered compote, iced tea, and punchbowl set. Design Motif: Grapes and leaves. |
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![]() Photo courtesy of eBay member lyndemar |
Diamond Point
Indiana 1960's Tiara Exclusives 1970 - 1998 Found in clear, milk, black, ruby stained. By Indiana in the 60's, Tiara Exclusives (sold at home parties) in the 80's. Design Motif: All over diamond pattern with plain rim |
Heritage
Princess House 1970's through present Sold at home parties. Pieces include stemware, hurricane lamps, and candleholders. Design Motif: Half flower cutting with three extensions from the flower. Many companies made wheel cut stemware, particularly in the 1940's. Much of it is misidentified as Princess House. Heritage is PH's only floral wheel cut design |
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Wexford
Anchor Hocking Late 1960's and 1970's Found almost exclusively in clear, though there are some colored pieces in existence. Design Motif: Raised diamond design with a band of smaller diamonds above and a plain band at the rim or edges. |
What is the definition of this glass term? |
Blown Glass Glass blown by a glass blower-may be blown freely or into a mold Pressed Glass Glass made in a mold Pattern Glass Usually used to describe pressed glass from the 1850's - 1910, especially American glass. Also abbreviated EAPG - Early American Pattern Glass Cut Glass Glass whose pattern is made by actually cutting the glass after it has been made into a vessel. Fancy cut glass made in the US between the 1880's through around 1917 is known as being from the American Brilliant Period, abbreviated APB. Depression Glass American glass made inexpensively during the Depression years, often given out as premiums at places such as movie theaters. Most common colors: pink, green with a slight yellow tone (not emerald green), amber and clear. Manufacturers include Hocking, Hazel Atlas, Federal, McKee, and Jeannette. Elegant Glass Glass made by higher end manufacturers during the Depression years into the 1960's. Manufacturers include Fostoria, Heisey, Tiffin and Paden City. Early American Pressed Glass (EAPG) Pressed glass made from around 1850 to around 1910. Most common color is clear. Manufacturers include Boston & Sandwich; U.S. Glass; Hobbs, Brockunier; Bryce and Gillinder. Mid-Century Glass Glass made in the 50's and 60's. American manufacturers include Kanawah, Viking, and Blenko, as well as many of the Depression glass companies that remained in business such as Jeannette, Anchor Hocking and Federal. Art Glass High end handcrafted glass. Art glass was made in every glass generation. |
Kitchen Glassware Utilitarian glass such as measuring cups, mixing bowls, reamers, etc... Opalescent Glass with a misty white decoration that appears colorful or fiery when held to the light. Carnival Pressed glass with an iridescent finish made from around 1905 to about 1930. Reproductions made from earlier patterns are called "new carnival." Newer glass that are not reproductions are called iridescent. Vaseline This term is used differently in different geographic locations. Most vaseline collectors use it to mean yellow-green glass which glows bright emerald green when exposed to black light. Goofus Pressed glass that was painted with a gold base and then either red or green on top. Given as prizes at carnivals, this glass was cheaply made. As a result, it is difficult to find goofus in excellent condition. Etched vs. Cut Those pretty floral decorations on stemware can be cut, usually using a wheel, or etched. The pretty ones with a simple flower and leaf decorations that look whitish are cut. If they are highly polished so they are as clear as the glass they are on, they are called rock crystal cutting. The fancy ornate designs with lots of detail are acid etched. A cutting is never referred to as etched. Cut-to-Clear Glass that is clear and then layered with another color, most commonly red or blue. Designs are then cut into the glass to show the clear base. Designs often include deer and castles. Pontil Mark The place where the glass left the glass maker's rod. If left unfinished it is called a rough pontil. If smoothed out, it is called a polished pontil. When people first hear this word spoken out loud, they sometimes think the speaker is saying "ponytail mark." Fleabite Tiny fairly round little nick no larger than the size of a pencil point. More accurately described as a pinpoint nick. |
For more information and terms describing item condition, please refer to
The GPSA Glossary.
Whose Mark is This? |
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What is a good first glass book? |
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![]() Warman's Glass 3rd Edition Ellen T. Schroy Krause Publications |
If you want an overview to help you understand the different types of glass,
start with Warman's Glass. It's a great intro book because it breaks everything up by category and shows examples of each and a summary of prices. It's the kind of book that's great for starting out, but you will outgrow it as you begin to want more specific information. |
A Few Suggestions From GPSA's Own WGPaul Bill’s 15 Rules for Happy Glass Buying
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Links GPSA Glass Links Our very own page of fabulous glass links including glass museums, glossaries, and links to pages about all kinds of collectable glass. | |
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