Duncan and Miller – 1865 to 1980 – USA
The long history of Duncan Miller begins in 1865 when Daniel C. Ripley formed Ripley & Company in Washington Pennsylvania USA. George Duncan bought into the company in 1867 and controlled all the shares by 1873. George’s daughter, Susan Duncan married the company salesperson, Augustus Heisey, in 1870.
The name was changed to George Duncan & Sons in 1874. John Miller joined the company in 1874 and in 1886 it was renamed ‘Duncan & Heisey’. George Duncan passed away in 1877 and the control of the company went to his son James Duncan and his son-in-law, Augustus Heisey. In 1894 Augustus Heisey leaves the company and forms the well-known ‘A.H. Heisey & Co.’.
In 1900 James Duncan dies. His children, with John Ernest Miller, renamed the company ‘Duncan & Miller’. Miller finally retired in 1926 after never missing a day of work in 26 years. In 1955 the company was sold to the U.S. Glass Co. which continued producing Duncan glass at the Tiffin, Ohio plant. The Tiffin plant closed its doors forever in 1980 after suffering financial difficulties for the previous 30 years.
America’s first family of glass makers designed innovative beautiful glass in patterns and shapes that span the decorative tastes of 115 years. Intense colors of ruby, emerald and amethyst are popular among collectors today. Early Duncan patented patterns include ‘Hobnail’, and ‘Three Face’. During the Depression years popular elegant Duncan glass was made in the Teardrop, Sandwich and Canterbury patterns, among many others. Mid-century patterns like Sanibel and Laguna, and more, incorporated the modernist styling in quality-made colored crystal.
Throughout its long history Duncan Glass objects have been referred to as ‘the loveliest glass in America’.
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