Hot Summer Day Cool Remedy Vintage Style

It is going to be a hot one here in Charlotte, NC today - mid-nineties and high humidity.  Cool off with an ice cream dessert using vintage Anchor Hocking Banana Split Dishes

Photograph by Con Poulos

Sweet and Salty Ice Cream
recipe courtesy of Food Network Kitchen

Directions:
Soften 1 pint vanilla,, ginger or cinnamon ice cream at room temperature, about 15 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl; use a spoon to mash in 1/2 cup chopped chocolate-covered pretzels. Cover and freeze until firm.

To serve, use vintage Anchor Hocking banana split dishes. Place 3 scoops of the Sweet and Salty Ice Cream in the dishes. Peel and cut a banana lengthwise and lay on side of the ice cream scoops. Sprinkle with crushed chocolate-covered pretzels.  Then lightly drizzle with chocolate syrup.

Anchor Hocking Banana Split Dishes

No longer available at CAROLINABLUELADY Vintage Collectibles

#AnchorHocking #IceCream #BananaSplit #Dessert #vintage

The Kaleidoscope of The Carnival Glass Makers

Oh, those beautiful hues we see as the light plays with the golden iridescence on the colored glass - pinks, purples, teals, blues and greens changing with each turn of the glass against the light.  I love the old carnival glass.  There are patterns that I love from all the great carnival glass manufacturers, but I think I love Millersburg the most.  You can get lost in a piece of glass looking at the kaleidoscope of colors - pinks, purples, greens and teals and oh, that radium finish.

Millersburg Blackberry Wreath 

There were five main carnival glass makers - Fenton, Northwood, Dugan, Millersburg and Imperial. Fenton introduced carnival glass to the world in 1907 and for the next 25 years, the stories of the men and relationships between these great glass companies are like a kaleidoscope as much as the carnival glass itself.  First in a series of five articles.

Fenton Art Glass - Of the five major old carnival glass companies, Fenton Art Glass has been in operation the longest.  Brothers, Frank L. and John W. Fenton opened Fenton Art Glass Company in July 1905 in Martins Ferry, Ohio as a decorating company using glassware made by other companies.  In a few years, land was purchased in Williamstown, W.Va and their first glass was produced on January 2, 1907.  It is said that their first piece of glass produced was a crystal cream pitcher in the Water Lily and Cattails pattern. The company officers were John W. as president, Frank L. as secretary/treasurer and general manager and Charles Fenton as vice-president.   A turn of the kaleidoscope and you see the hiring of their first plant manager, Jacob Rosenthal.  Jacob Rosenthal had worked at the Indiana Tumbler & Goblet Company in Greentown, IN from the fall of 1900 to June 13, 1903 when the Indiana Tumbler & Goblet Company burned to the ground and was never rebuilt.  While at Greentown, Indiana, Jacob Rosenthal invented the famous chocolate colored glass, Golden Agate aka Holly Amber and Rose Agate.

Fenton introduced carnival glass to the world later in 1907.  They produced this beautiful iridescent glass in many colors - green, marigold (clear glass), amethyst, blue, red and all the colors in between.   Numerous patterns with many different shapes and edgings.  I consider the Vintage or Grape Delight pattern their most recognized pattern.  Some of my favorite patterns include Acorn, Dragon and Lotus, Persian Medallion, Little Flowers, Orange Tree, several Peacock patterns and my most favorite, the Panther pattern and the Sailboats pattern.

Some Fenton pieces of my carnival glass collection including Acorn and Panther in marigold (golden) and Orange Tree, Persian Medallion and Sailboats in Cobalt Blue.  A lot of times, Fenton would use one pattern for the interior and a different pattern for the exterior.  Fenton used Orange Tree as the exterior pattern for a lot of pieces.  The Sailboats dish shown below has the Orange Tree pattern on the exterior.  The kaleidoscope is always turning..........

Frank L. Fenton, born in 1880 in Indiana, Pa, graduated from high school in 1897 and began his glass-making career that same year by becoming an apprentice at Northwood Glass Company when it was located in the old Indiana Glass Company glass plant in Indiana, Pa. and Harry Northwood was running the factory.  Frank became a foreman in 1898.   Frank L. left Northwood in 1900.  Harry Northwood had sold to the National Glass Company in 1899.  Frank L. went to work for a new glass company, Jefferson Glass Co in Steubenville, Oh.  Harry Bastow was the president and general manager of this new company.  When Harry Bastow opened his own business, Bastow Glass Company in Coudersport, Pa, Frank L. Fenton followed.  This was in late 1903.  John W. Fenton also worked there.  The Bastow Glass Company was destroyed by fire in mid 1904 and Frank L. Fenton moved to Wheeling, Pa to work for the new H. Northwood & Company in Wheeling, Pa.  The Fenton - Northwood connection and another turn of the kaleidoscope.

According to everything I have read about the Fentons, John W. was a character with a peacock personality.   He enjoyed an extravagant lifestyle and was a very generous man.  Financial prudence was not in his DNA.  I want to share the following story that I read in the book by William Heacock called Fenton Glass The First Twenty-five Years about how Frank and John Fenton made the decision to form their own company

"On May 4, 1905, Frank L. Fenton deposited in the Dollar Bank in Wheeling $284.86, which has given rise to a romantic legend about the company's humble origins.  As it was handed down in the family circles, John once told Frank that if the latter ever wanted to go into business for himself he should call on John for financial help.  Frank called on John and was asked, "How much money do you have?"

$284." was the reply

"Good," remarked John.  "Between the two of us we now have $284.86.  Let's get started."  

In July, 1905, Frank and John opened their own glass decorating shop, the Fenton Art Glass Company in Martins Ferry, Ohio.  Another brother, Charles H. soon joined them.  Charles had worked for the Northwood glass plant.  Charles became head of the decorating department.

Fenton Art Glass celebrated their 100th anniversary of glass production in 2007.  While they are still active and still under the family ownership, they closed their traditional glass making in 2011.

Sources Used
William Heacock, James Measell, Berry Wiggins, Harry Northwood The Early Years 1881-1900  
Margaret & Kenn Whitmyer, Fenton Art Glass 1907 - 1939
William Heacock, Fenton Glass The First Twenty-five Years
Debbie and Randy Coe, Fenton Art Glass A Centennial of Glass Making 1907-2007
Bill Edwards, Millersburg The Queen of Carnival Glass
James Measell, Greentown Glass the Indiana Tumbler & Goblet Company

The Diamond Point Pattern of Indiana Glass

Dunkirk, Indiana, a small town in east central Indiana was home to one of the longest living glass companies that sprung up during the natural gas discovery of the late 1800s. Originally formed in 1896 as The Beatty-Brady Glass Company, they manufactured clear glass household items. By 1899, with the economy slowing down, The National Glass Company formed combining 19 glass companies in hopes of saving costs of running the glass factories. The Beatty-Brady Glass Company became Factory #1.

The National Glass Company still couldn’t make it work and filed for bankruptcy in 1907. Factory #1 became Indiana Glass and operated until 2002 going through several more ownerships, but always retaining the name of Indiana Glass.

The Diamond Point pattern was first produced in the mid-1960s. This pattern had an extensive number of items and production continued through the 1990s. The most common was crystal and crystal with ruby staining. Other colors included amber, amber with gold staining, olive green, milk white, blue, amberina and pastels in blue, pink and green. The Diamond Point pattern was also made for Tiara Exclusives in black. While all items were made in crystal, not all were made in the other colors. Items include all dinnerware pieces and serving pieces.  I have several pieces available for purchase at 
CAROLINABLUELADY Vintage Collectibles   on eBay
CAROLINABLUELADY Vintage Collectibles   on eCrater

A set of 4 crystal with ruby flashing Diamond Point Wine Glasses.  These are beautiful.  Indiana Glass began making this pattern in the mid-1960s through to the early 1990s.

Available at CAROLINABLUELADY Vintage Collectibles is a gorgeous Indiana Glass Diamond Point Blue Compote.  

Greentown EAPG - Overall Lattice or No. 38 Glass Pattern

I still have lots of boxes in the garage to go through that contain items to list in my online stores.  Trying to keep organized is hard because there is so much.  But, a couple of days ago I just had the urge to unpack some boxes.  I don't know what is in them until I unwrap the items - it's like Christmas morning.  It is so much fun!  I found some of the Greentown glass that we are going to sell and I have unpacked about 8 boxes - wasn't all Greentown glass.  I know there has to be more in the packed boxes somewhere, but I need to stop and get what I did unpacked listed before I get out of control again.  I decided to try to get all pieces in one pattern and list together.  My first group is the Overall Lattice or No. 38 pattern.  Only 4 different pieces so far, but it's a start.

The Overall Lattice pattern was first introduced in 1897.  Designed by Charles Miller, it is one of the first tableware patterns made by the Indiana Tumbler and Goblet Company of Greentown, Indiana.  It was originally just called No. 38.  Jule Braun, the outside sales rep for the Indiana Tumbler and Goblet Company unveiled the new pattern, Overall Lattice or No. 38 at the Pittsburgh Exhibit in January 1897 and described it as follows:

  

"Our No. 38 is a ribbed pattern, bright and strong, unfinished and cheap.  It is a short line, no high flyer, but a common sense set which will just suit the lower millions." 

I just thought that was too funny.  

 

Moon and Stars, A Vintage Glass Pattern

Our ESN Scavenger Hunt this week is about the Moon.  The vintage Moon and Stars glass pattern is one of the most familiar glass patterns around.  Just about anything imaginable has been made in the Moon and Stars pattern - candy dishes, relish trays, lighters, lamps, compotes and the familiar canister set - think I have one of those somewhere in boxes.  The Moon and Stars pattern actually had its beginning back in the late 1800s and was first made by the Adams & Co out of Pittsburg, PA.  They called the pattern Palace.  Adams & Co became a part of the US Glass Co. 
The Palace pattern became known as Moon & Stars because of the star-like design with round moon-like depressions.  This pattern has been made by several different companies.  Sometimes it is uncertain of who made what.  Moon & Stars came in many beautiful bright colors.

Here is a beautiful Moon & Stars Banana Boat in amberina from L.E. Smith.  L.E. Smith called the color flame.  Moon & Stars was one of L.E. Smith's most popular patterns and was considered part of the Heritage line.  Based on the label on this piece, this was probably produced during the 1960s.  You can find this lovely centerpiece bowl at CAROLINABLUELADY Vintage Collectibles along with some other great Moon & Stars pieces.

And, did you know that there is a Moon & Star Glass club?  http://www.moonandstarglassclub.com/  You might want to check it out.

Dr. Sayman and his Traveling Medicine Show

I had found a small square milk glass jar in one of my mother's auction boxes.  A tin lid with the impression of a reputable-looking man that screwed onto the jar.  Raised words around the lid say - Sayman's Products Are Supreme Dr. Sayman St. Louis.  There was no label or markings on the jar.  I had never heard of Sayman's Products before but thought that this was probably a jar for ointment or salve.  One of the things I love about selling vintage glass is the research and discovering interesting stories of past entrepreneurs of our great country.  Dr. Thomas M. Sayman is no exception.  In fact, I would have to say, he is one of the most colorful and interesting charactors I have come across.

Dr. Thomas M. Sayman was not really a doctor.  He was born around 1854.  Barefooted and dressed in overalls, he ran away from his Indiana farm home at the age of 9 to make his own way in the world.  At 10, he started traveling with a circus and medicine show.  By the time he was 11, he had organized his own medicine show and traveled through Texas in a horse drawn wagon peddling his soaps, tonics and medicines.  Just fascinating stuff! 

He developed creams, medicine salves and soaps, building a large manufacturing plant in 1912.  He had become very wealthy and employed many people.  It is said that he was very generous with giving to charities and taking care of his employees.   It seems that he was also concerned with the possibility of being robbed and was known to keep a large collection of weapons.  He had no problem brandishing a pistol in public.  Not well accepted, these incidents landed him in trouble with the police and courts over fifty times.  And, then there were the suits against his Sayman's Vegetable Liniment Compound by the US for misbranding.  The list of ailments and diseases that Sayman's Vegetable Liniment Compound was suppose to cure included just about everything known to man.  And, not only did it cure ailments for humans, but also horses and dogs.     

Mr. Sayman had three daughters and one son by his first wife, Rosa.  He divorced sometime between 1900 to 1910.  He married a second wife, Lillian and had a daughter.  Divorce was bit unusual considering the times of the 1900s.   

Thomas M. Sayman died in September of 1937.  What a character!  I just can't get over that at the age of 9, he left home to seek his fame and fortune.  

This Dr Sayman Square Milk Glass Jar that use to hold some of Doc Sayman's miracle ointment sold pretty quickly.   

Toothpick Heaven!

Our grandmother collected two different items - first being St. Clair toothpick holders.  She had Indian Head toothpicks in every color that St. Clair produced and a lot of the Holly pattern toothpicks.  When we were at her house, at some point we would be standing in front of her china cupboard and looking in awe at all her toothpick holders.  Even the older grandkids loved looking at all the toothpick holders.  The second item she collected was the carnival glass in the Harvest pattern from the Indiana Glass Company in Dunkirk, In.  Yes, this is considered the "new" carnival glass and I have to admit, growing up, this was not my favorite glass.  But what did make it special was seeing the sparkle in her eyes and how happy she was when she looked at the glass or was able to buy a new piece.  With St. Clair located in Elwood, In and Indiana Glass in Dunkirk, In, it was always a special treat for her to go to the factories with her sister, Aunt Goldie. 

Our mother also collected toothpick holders.  Her finds came from auctions, antique stores visited while traveling with my sister and me, and St. Clair in Elwood, In.  Other than St. Clair, she only looked for toothpicks that she thought were pretty.  The value really had nothing to do with her collections.  In her eyes, all glass was of value.  While I have been selling the toothpicks that were still wrapped in the auction boxes, the ones she did have displayed were included in the toothpick holders for us to choose from.       

The main thing that we did yesterday was to divide the toothpicks between the three of us.  We put all the toothpicks on a long table - there were 150+ toothpicks - St. Clair, Imperial, Fenton, Boyd, Summit, Deganhart and a few others.  Nothing high dollar, but all very special.  We decided to each pick 20 and then we would sell the rest online at CAROLINABLUELADY Vintage Collectibles at eCrater.  We took turns picking out our toothpicks one at a time and with so many to choose from, it took quite sometime to reach our 20 each.  As we looked over the remaining toothpicks, another one caught my sister's eye.  My brother said, "so we each want to pick another one?"  We ended with 22 each.  It was a very good day with plenty left to sell.  And, with 22 each, the grandkids are well taken care of, too.      

Joe Rice Art Glass

 My grandmother loved to collect the St. Clair toothpick holders made by both Joe and Bob St. Clair.  As most of these were replicas of older patterns produced by other glass companies, St. Clair is more respected for the art glass paperweights that they produced.  Joe Rice's art glass paperweights are still made in the same family traditional way, but he also likes to experiment with new techniques.  Joe Rice is the nephew of Joe and Bob St. Clair.

I have watched them make the paperweights.  It is fascinating how this glob of hot molten glass turns into this beautiful paperweight with the flowers and bubbles encased in glass so clear that it looks like they are suspended in liquid.  I can get lost looking into these beautiful paperweights.

The first time I met Joe Rice in the late 1980s, I took a Greentown chocolate cactus sauce bowl to see if he could use the glass to make me a paperweight vase.  I had dropped the bowl several years earlier and broke it in many pieces.  I was so upset when it broke that my husband tried to glue it back together.  It was really beyond repair.  Well, you can't throw Greentown glass away so I thought maybe Joe could make it into something beautiful again.  He said he could.  As I started to hand him the glued sauce bowl that had missing slivers of glass, he looked at me and said he just couldn't break it.  He handed me the hammer.  So, I broke the Greentown chocolate sauce bowl.  I went back up the next week to pick up my vase and he gave me two vases made with my bowl.  They are so pretty with the caramel flowers in the bottom.

I offer new Joe Rice "paperweight" pieces for sale at my eCrater store.  While I will purchase some pieces already made, I also request certain pieces with the color combinations that I like.  I'm especially fond of pastels on black.  The pink and black is my favorite.  Will be ordering new perfume bottles with this combination soon.  Whether you collect Joe Rice Art Glass Paperweights yourself or are looking for that special gift, please visit 

CAROLINABLUELADY Vintage Collectibles for

 Joe Rice Art Paperweights                

Glass Hens On The Window Sill

Although I brought back 34 boxes of "pretties" that we will be selling, there were a few treasures that we won't be able to part with.  Going through the kitchen cabinets, my sister and I found some wonderful memories - some we had forgotten.  When my grandmother moved into the house in the early '70s, she had the kitchen renovated - this is an older house so it has 10' ceilings.  She had cabinets installed all the way to the ceiling on two walls - so you can imagine all the storage space.  She even had a new modern automatic washer and dryer installed.  The wringer washer was being replaced (actually, it is still in the old garage).   The cabinets still have my grandmother's kitchen gadgets, dishes and pots & pans.  My mother didn't remove anything; just added to it.  My grandmother's glass covered hens are still sitting on the window sill in front of the sink and the kitchen clock is still on the wall - a copper teapot design.  We haven't removed them yet.

You know, it is sort of weird.....the dishes, glasses, pots and pans were the same all through my childhood and even into my adult years.  We didn't change or replace dishes like we do today.  I don't think my kids are going to have as much fun going through my things.  Here are a few things that my sister and I found.  You may find this sort of funny, but we were like kids in a candy store.

Yes, that is an egg poacher.  My grandmother would fix me a poached egg and put it on toast - it was always a special breakfast.  Luckily, we found two of them so my sister took one and I took the other.  See that rolling pin?  Yes, the handle is broken off of one side and that is how I always remembered it.  I can see her rolling out the dough for "poppie" on Sunday morning.  She worked fast, maneuvering the rolling pin around and stretching the dough until it was perfect.  Then the dough would have to "dry" before she cut it up and put it in with the boiling beef or boiling chicken.  Sometimes she would let me drop the squares of dough into the boiling water and I could watch it puff up.  And, then her egg beater with the worn green handle - another prized possession. I just loved watching her cook and bake - she always explained everything and let me help.

We found a few more treasures - the beat-up tin pie pan that she always used to flour meat.  The tin measuring cups with the beat-up rounded bottoms.  We'll wait and divide these items later after we finish going through all the cabinets.  I know there will be some flat tin lids that I will want.

In going through our treasured memories, my brother, sister and I can get a little overwhelmed at times - there is so much to go through.  But then I look at the covered glass hens on the window sill all covered in dust and see the copper teapot clock on the wall that no longer works and a feeling of peace comes over me and brings a smile to my face.  Thank you Mother and Grandma for such wonderful treasures and memories.           

Back Home To Greentown

My brother, sister and I are back in Greentown for our third year of going through our mother's "stuff".  We are trying to get it done this year but it seems quite overwhelming at times.  I am just here for a week - so it is packing a lot of pretty glass and cool items to take back home to sell on my online stores.

We go to the Subway for lunch most everyday.  It is just down at the center of town and within walking distance of the house.  Greentown is a small town, one of those picture postcard quaint towns where everyone knows everyone.  I would say most families in Greentown have been here for generations. 

On our way to the Subway, we pass the Greentown Glass Museum.  Greentown was home to the Indiana Tumbler and Goblet Company which operated from 1894 to 1903 when the factory burned and was not rebuilt.  This was where "chocolate" glass was invented by Jacob Rosenthal.  He was also responsible for the formula of the color called Holly Amber aka Golden Agate.  
    

Just thought I'd post some pictures of the Greentown Glass Museum which is very stunning for our small little town.  Don't you think?  Anyone coming to Greentown, has to go into the museum.  Lots of gorgeous Greentown glass.  The Greentown Glass Festival is held the second weekend of June.  This year it runs from June 10th through the 12th.  The festival includes an antique glass show, dinner for the membership and an auction.  They also have a "dig" at the old factory site for members.  Haven't been able to do the "dig" but it is on my list of things to do!  Maybe next year - as soon as we get our mother's house done.  Oh, hopefully next year!