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Category: Glass Research

Beautiful mantel vases Victorian era hand blown glass
Tall blown amber glass vases from the Victorian era.

Glass research encompasses a wide range of subjects.  The history of glass and the decorative arts eras, the regional aspects of glass making, the creation of glass, types of glass and decor, glass artists and craftsmen, and the glass companies of the past are all subjects of interest to the glass collector.

Glass collecting is a fascinating hobby with ample opportunities to research.  Antique, vintage and most retro glass is authentic silicate glass (made until approximately 1980). Collectible glass was made before the days of modern polymer based glass.

Old glass is organic and was energy intensive to produce. New glass, made with polymers replacing costly metals, melts at a much lower temperature. Most modern glass not true glass, it is a man made glass-like material. This fact is one of the major reasons why it’s so important to collect, document and preserve glass from the past. The days of producing authentic glass made of metals, natural pigments, sand and minerals are over.

Below are a few of our favorite glass research articles and websites. Researching old glass on the internet is a great way to get started.

Glass Producing Regions and Makers Corning Museum of Glass Research
Glass Composition and Types The Method of Glass Blowing
Techniques in Art Glass Glass Dictionary
Glass Articles by Corning The Murano Zoo
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Retro Art Glass Museum

Visit the Retro Art Glass Museum

Over 800 Glass Objects of Yesteryear in the Retro Art Glass Museum At the Retro Art Glass museum you can view hundreds of glass objects made……

About Indiana Glass

Indiana Glass Pineapple and Floral Pattern

Indiana Glass / Tiara 1904 – 2002 The Indiana Glass Company was located in Dunkirk, Indiana.  Once a division of Beatty – Brady Glass Co., established……

About Hazel Atlas Glass

Set of six Hazel Atlas vintage circus clown tumblers circa 1950's.

Hazel Atlas, USA 1885 – 1956 Hazel Atlas is one of the USA’s oldest and most prolific glass factories.  It’s name is derived from a……

About Fostoria Glass

Fostoria Glass 6122 Biscayne wine stems with etched signature. Hand blown, delicate, quality glass. Applied blown stems. Circa late 1950’s.

Fostoria Glass USA 1887 – 1986 Fostoria Glass is one of America’s oldest and most enduring glass makers. Established in West Virginia, USA in 1887,……

About Imperial Glass

This pattern first appeared in Imperial's glass catalogs around 1912. Often re-issuing its most popular patterns, the jar shown here was made in the 1950's to 1970's. The seat of the jar is embossed with Imperial's 'I' superimposed over a 'G' mark. This mark was used from 1951 to 1972.

Imperial Glass Company, Bellaire OH, USA 1901 – 1984 Imperial Glass was established in 1901 and was situated on the bank of the Ohio River.……

About Paden City Glass

Magnified acid etched pattern called Frost by Paden City Glass, USA circa 1930s.

The Paden City glass factory was located in West Virginia, the home of many American glass companies during the glass production years… Share this:Click to…

About Tiffin Glass

Tiffin Copen Blue Swedish Modern rose bowl with horizontal optics and three ball feet. Circa late 1940s to early 1950's. Thick handmade crystal.

Tiffin Glass – 1889 to 1980 Tiffin glass has a long history which began in 1889 with A.J. Beatty and Sons at Factory R in……

About Rainbow Art Glass

Hand formed stylized sitting cat by Rainbow Art Glass, circa 1960's.

Rainbow Art Glass Company 1954-1983 The Rainbow Art Glass Co. was established in Huntington, West Virginia in 1954. In 1973 they were purchased as a subsidiary by……

About Pilgrim Art Glass

Hand-blown crackle glass vase with crimped ruffles perfect for flower arranging. By mid-century American glassmaker Pilgrim Art Glass, circa 1960's - 1970's.

Pilgrim Art Glass – Est. 1949 Pilgrim Art Glass was founded in 1949 in West Virginia, USA. During the mid-20th century they produced the range of popular……

About Morgantown Glass

Retro modern Morgantown patio light in blue crystal. Made in the late 1950's to the early 1960's.

Old Morgantown Glass 1899 – 1971 Morgantown Glass was founded in 1899 by Frank Bannister in West Virginia, USA. Four years later ‘Economy Tumbler Company’ was……

About L.E. Smith Glass

Rearing horse bookends made of solid amber glass in the 1940s. L.E. Smith and Fostoria made this form with only slight differences in the mold.

L.E. Smith Glass – Est. 1907 The LE Smith Glass Co. produced décor glass for 98 years. The company passed through many eras in time……

About Kanawha Glass

Exaggerated retro mod pitcher by Kanawah. Vase stands 17.5” tall.

Kanawha Glass Company West Virginia, USA 1955 – 1989 Former employees of the Dunbar Glass Co. formed the Kanawha Glass Co. in 1955 after Dunbar……

About Anchor Hocking Glass

Anchor Hocking Forest Green water goblets in Atomic era pattern called Burple by Anchor Hocking. Collectors love to call them "Boopies". Circa 1950’s.

Anchor Hocking Glass – Established in 1905 We know Anchor Hocking today as a huge organization producing and distributing an amazing number of assorted house wares.……

About Blenko Art Glass

Massive floor vase by Blenko on left was designed in 1959. It stands 26” tall and bears the sandblast Blenko signature in use for only two years. Center floor vase in infamous Blenko Blue.

BLENKO ART GLASS 1921 to Present Blenko Art Glass began production of hand-made studio glass in 1921 West Virginia, USA. One of the very few……

About Cambridge Glass

Cambridge Farberware Art Deco Amethyst Beverage set circa 1920’s to 1930’s. A modern version of ancient caged glass.

CAMBRIDGE GLASS COMPANY 1901 to 1958 Cambridge Glass Co. was one of the major American elegant glass makers which dominated the home glassware market during……

About Federal Glass

Federal Glass Petal pattern #2829 pastel green and yellow serving dishes. Circa 1950's to 1960's.

FEDERAL GLASS COMPANY 1900 to 1980 The Federal Glass was established in Columbus Ohio in 1900. At first they advertised only tumblers, specializing in bar ware. In……

About Duncan Miller Glass

Duncan Miller Glass Canterbury ruby red glass vase

Duncan and Miller – 1865 to 1980 – USA The long history of Duncan Miller begins in 1865 when Daniel C. Ripley formed Ripley & Company……

About Fenton Art Glass

Made by Fenton Art Glass in 1962 to 1964, original part no. 1780 called 'Candies'.

Fenton art Glass Est. 1906 Frank and John Fenton founded Fenton Art Glass in Williamstown, West Virginia in 1906. Their company went on to be one……

About Jeannette Glass

Jeannette Depression Glass Ultra Marine Swirl Console Set Beautiful color and pattern, made only in 1937-1938.

Jeannette Glass USA 1900 to 1983 Jeannette Glass was located in Jeannette, Pennsylvania in 1900. At first the company made bottles, but by the 1920’s……

About Depression Glass

Depression glass Pineapple and Floral dinner plates by Indiana Glass. The colorless Pineapple and Floral items were made in 1932 to 1937.

 Depression Era Glass During the Depression glass years (1930’s to early 1940’s) it was necessary to find a way to make glass less expensive for the cash……

About Italian Glass – Murano Glass – Venetian Glass

About Italian Glass. Very large mid-century Italian art glass fish.

About Italian Glass: Italy, Venice and the Isle of Murano First thing to understand about Italian glass is it is usually called Murano or Venetian glass.  Murano……

About New Martinsville and Viking Art Glass

Ruby crackle glass Swedish Modern votive by Viking Art Glass circa 1960's.

The New Martinsville Glass Manufacturing Company operated between 1901 and 1940 in the city of New Martinsville, West Virginia, USA. It was the predecessor of Viking……