Monographs

The Museum of American Glass in WV currently offers over 150 publications in our monograph series – publications that address glass topics that lack the wide interest to make publishing a book commercially successful or about which we simply do not yet know enough to commit to the more permanent form of a book. WVMAG’s monographs are endeavors in seed planting. These small works are a part of a much larger project to place glass information not in archival storage boxes but in the hands of students, collectors, and dealers in glass. Only by sharing can we make the necessary leaps in learning, as we all bring some piece of the puzzle. MAGWV is committed to sharing glass information and from that conviction our monograph series was born.
These booklets range from only a few pages to over a hundred pages in length and cover topics that pertain to the major, well-known companies (A. H. Heisey, Cambridge, Fry, Consolidated, and many others) as well as to much lesser-known factories (Dunbar, Hazel-Atlas, Paden City, L. E. Smith, among others). Topics as diverse of glass candy containers, doorknobs, and center-handled servers are covered.
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#159. Akro Agate Children’s Dishes
A glass decorator and cutting firm that evolved into Colonial Glass, a hot glass producer. Illustrated with extensive trade journal ads and told in part by period articles and accounts. Interesting use of Glass Marbles fused to objects as feet, parts of stems etc.
Early Glass & EAPG
OUR BEST SELLERS
#65. Early American Pattern Glass Punch Bowls
This is a companion volume to our earlier monograph #11 on Glass Punch Bowls. It illustrates 133 different EAPG punch bowls made between 1885 and 1916. (Many of these punch bowls continued to be made in the Depression era.) The companies represented include Cambridge, Co-Operative Flint, Duncan & Miller, Geo. Duncan & Sons, Fostoria, Heisey, Imperial, Indiana, Lancaster, McKee, Millersburg, Model Flint, Monongah, New Martinsville, Northwood, Robinson, Steimer, Tarentum, Tygart Valley, US Glass, and Westmoreland — a treasure trove for collectors of early American pattern glass or of punch bowls! Produced in part with financial support from the Early American Pattern Glass Society. 74 pages, fully illustrated and with an index of pattern names.
$12.00 (non-members)/$8.00 (members).
#15. Early Milk Glass, 1891-1911
It includes period trade journal reports with well over 100 reprinted advertisements showing hundreds of pieces of now century old milk glass: saltshakers, plates, pin dishes, perfumes, novelties, much more. Dithridge & Company, Gillinder & Sons, Eagle Glass & Manufacturing Company, McKee & Brothers, National Glass Company, James J. Murray & Company, and Hocking Glass Company are all covered in detail. Compiled by Tom Felt. 105 pages.
$14.00 (non-members)/$10.00 (members)
#22. Kings Crown Pattern Glass: Following the Pattern Over the Years.
It is illustrated with original catalog pages and advertisements documenting the many companies that made the Kings Crown pattern. Included are several pages of Adams and Company’s XLCR (Excelsior) pattern, originally made in 1891. The pattern was later reissued by U.S. Glass/Tiffin from 1943-1962, by Glasscrafts & Ceramics, the L. G. Wright Glass Company, and the Indiana Glass Company (both under its own name and through Colony Glassware, a division of Pitman-Dreitzer and Company). Research by Neila Bredehoft & Dean Six; edited & with text by Dean Six. 76 pages (some color).
$14.00 (non-members)/$10.00 (members)
#47. McKee Bros. Pattern Glass Catalog
Reprints a never before published catalog from circa 1890-1894. Many rare and unusual glass patterns and engravings are illustrated. Researched and compiled by Tom Bredehoft. 61 pages.
$12.00 (non-members)/$8.00 (members)
#103. Tarentum Glass Company, 1893-1918: Trade Journal Reports & Advertisements
The story of Tarentum is told from its charter in 1893 to its final days in 1918, with hundreds of individual early American pattern glass pieces illustrated in over 85 advertisements and other illustrations with accompanying trade journal reports. From Atlanta to Virginia, almost four dozen patterns are represented, as well as a selection of Tarentum’s lamps and other lighting glassware. Compiled by Tom Felt. 64 pages, illustrated throughout, including an index.
$12.00 (non-members)/$8.00 (members)
SOME YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED
#75. Amberina & the Libbey Glass Co. Catalog, Circa 1917
This volume reprints an important catalog from circa 1917 illustrating the pieces offered when Libbey re-introduced its famed Amberina, shading from a rich ruby red to violet, for a brief period of time. Also included are full color photographs of five items from a contemporary collection of pieces found in this catalog. With a foreword by Tom Bredehoft. 17 pages, fully illustrated, including some color.
$14.00 (non-members)/$10.00 (members)
#71. Atterbury & Company: Volume 1, Trade Journal Reports & Design Patents, 1870-1901
It includes a brief history of the factory and 19 pages of trade journal reports detailing its activities from 1879-1901. All 22 of Atterbury’s design patents are reproduced, featuring many of Atterbury’s famed covered animal dishes, including the fish, rabbit, duck, bull, chick on nest, lion, fox, cat, and much more. This volume also contains extensive reporting on Atterbury’s process for weaving glass cloth and manufacturing glass roof tiles, with their respective invention patents. See our other listings for additional collections of patents issued to Atterbury & Company. Written & compiled by Tom Felt. 73 pages, fully illustrated.
$12.00 (non-members)/$8.00 (members)
#72. Atterbury & Company: Volume 2, Invention Patents Relating to Tableware, Decoration of Glassware, Etc., 1865-1893
It includes a brief history of the factory and an extensive selection of patents issued to Atterbury for making such items as smoke bells, pitchers, combination salt & pepper shakers, pickle dishes, boxes, advertising signs, flower stands, and much more. Also featured are patents for various decorating techniques. Both the drawings and full text of the patents are reprinted. See our other listings for additional collections of patents issued to Atterbury & Company. Written & compiled by Tom Felt. 88 pages, fully illustrated.
$12.00 (non-members)/$8.00 (members)
#48. Duncan's EAPG patterns
An excellent identification guide for patterns issued by Duncan from 1893-1911, arranged by pattern with illustrations from original catalogs and trade journal advertisements. A short company history is also included. Researched and written by Tom and Neila Bredehoft. 82 pages.
$12.00 (non-members)/$8.00 (members)
#49. Opalescent glass, 1883-1934
Includes reprints of original advertisements and trade journal reports for 20 manufacturers of opalescent glass, including Beaumont Glass Co., Elson Glass Co., Fenton Art Glass Co., Jefferson Glass Co., Marion Opalescent Glass Co., Nickle Plate Glass Co., Northwood Glass Co., West Virginia Glass Co., and others. Compiled by Tom Felt. 49 pages, with index.
$12.00 (non-members)/$8.00 (members)
Midcentury Manufacturers
OUR BEST SELLERS
#13. Bischoff Glass, 1920s-1960s
It is illustrated with pages reprinted from several Bischoff catalogs, some in color, showing many of the modern types of glass produced by this West Virginia Company. 20 pages (some color).
$14.00 (non-members)/$10.00 (members)
#14. Blenko Glass, 1936-1969
Includes a brief history and reprints of original advertisements from the early years of this West Virginia glass company. Includes are the pieces made for the Williamsburg Restoration as well as designs by Winslow Anderson and Wayne Husted. Compiled by Tom Felt. 30 pages.
$12.00 (non-members)/$8.00 (members)
#68. Blenko 1957 Catalog Reprint: Including a Brief History
It reprints a catalog illustrating over 185 pieces of blown glassware manufactured by this company in 1957, including the full line of reproduction glassware made for the Williamsburg Restoration. It is an invaluable aid in identifying the wares made by this important American company, featuring many pieces designed by Wayne Husted. It is an exact reproduction, only slightly reduced in size. The product pages are in black and white, since Blenko did not begin issuing color catalogs until several years later. There is a color page showing all the colors in production in 1957. Also included is a brief history of the company and its founder. Written & compiled by Tom Felt. 35 pages, fully illustrated. Includes a pattern number index (some color).
$14.00 (non-members)/$10.00 (members)
#116. Pilgrim Glass, 1966-1972: Including Four Catalog Reprints
The catalogs reprinted in this monograph cover the period in the history of the Pilgrim Glass Corporation when the very popular cranberry and Kitchen Chemistry lines debuted, under the general management of Domhnall O Broin, a glass maker who apprenticed at Waterford and designed for Caithness Glass before coming to Pilgrim. The four catalogs are the 1968 supplement, fall 1969 catalog, 1970 catalog, and 1972 catalog. Also included are a selection of trade journal advertisements and reports. Compiled with a brief history by Tom Felt and a biographical sketch of Domhnall O Broin written by Frank Andrews. 76 pages, fully illustrated in color.
$14.00 (non-members)/$10.00 (members)
#83. The Rainbow Art Glass Company, 1969-1972: Selected Catalog Reprints
It includes a brief history and reprints from the final four catalogs issued by this company after it was purchased by the Viking Glass Company. The 1969 and 1970 catalogs are reprinted in their entirety, accompanied by pages from the 1971 and 1972 catalogs. (Certain pages showing duplicate items are omitted from the two last catalogs.) Rainbow was a major producer of handblown items in the style of Blenko, Bischoff, and other West Virginia companies, including animals, paperweights, crackle glass, and much more. Written & compiled by Tom Felt. 60 pages, fully illustrated in full color.
$14.00 (non-members)/$10.00 (members)
SOME YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED
#98. Al Erbe: West Virginia Glass Specialty Co. Designer, 1935-1961
This monograph makes use of family recollections and photographs, catalog pages, original drawings, and numerous patents for glassware to tell the story of Al Erbe, the designer for the West Virginia Glass Specialty Company from 1935-1961. By Dean Six & David Bush, with Judi Doherty, Janet Burroughs, and William Doherty. 73 pages, illustrated throughout, including many in full color.
$14.00 (non-members)/$10.00 (members)
#55. Gundersen Guild
The story of the successor to the Pairpoint Corporation, including a brief history, illustrated with photographs and advertisements from the trade journals. The majority of the volume is a complete reprint of the 38-page 1950 Gundersen Guild’s franchise plan, which is fascinating both as an example of a unique 1950s merchandising effort and for the examples of Gundersen’s glassware that are pictured. This reprint is supplemented by over a dozen additional catalog pages featuring decorative vases, candlesticks, engravings, and figural bookends. Written and compiled by Tom Felt. 54 pages.
$12.00 (non-members)/$8.00 (members)
#64. The Rainbow Art Glass Company: The Early Years from Decorating Company to Glass Manufacturer
Includes a brief history of the early years of this popular Huntington, West Virginia, company, beginning in 1947. Initially the firm acted as a decorating company, offering hand painted decorations, stains, and other treatments on blanks made by Fenton, Paden City, the United States Glass Company, Indiana, and many others. Soon some hand blown pieces were added to the line and by the early 1960s, Rainbow turned to the manufacture of glassware exclusively. This monograph, heavily illustrated with advertisements and original catalog materials, investigates this transitional period in detail, illuminating a previously unknown aspect of Rainbow’s history. Written & compiled by Tom Felt. 37 pages, fully illustrated (some color).
$14.00 (non-members)/$10.00 (members)
#128. Silverbrook Art Glass Company: Including a Circa 1940s/1950s Catalog Reprint
This volume includes a brief history of this American mid-century modern company, whose free hand animals are often confused with those produced by the Tiffin Glass Company, where the Kreutz Brothers worked prior to establishing their own factory. Also included is a small catalog from the 1940s or 1950s, advertisements, and photographs of Silverbrook pieces from the Museum of American Glass collection. Two appendices reprint first-hand accounts of visits to the Silverbrook factory in 1950 and 1962, respectively. The history, based on an article previously published in All About Glass, is written by Helen Jones, with editorial assistance by Tom Felt. 29 pages, some in color.
$14.00 (non-members)/$12.00 (members)
Midcentury Decorations
OUR BEST SELLERS
#137. West Virginia Blendo Glass: Collecting Blendo from the West Virginia Glass Specialty Company
An overview of the colorful glassware made by WV Glass Specialty from 1956 until 1987. Profusely illustrated in a rainbow of colors showing large lemonade and smaller juice sets, cocktail sets, salad serving bowls, chip ‘n’ dip sets, and many other pieces. Also included are dozens of catalog pages, illustrating virtually every piece made in these frosted colors in every imaginable hue. Information on the Colonial Glass Company’s production of Blendo is also incorporated, as well as an appendix showing other decorations offered during this same period. This is the complete guide for collectors of this popular Mid-Century glassware. Written by Tom & Carolyn Durkin. 107 pages with over 80 full color photographs.
$14.00 (non-members)/$10.00 members.
#82. Culver Glassware--Decorated Tumblers, Ice Tubs, and Barware: Catalog Reprints from the 1960s & 1980
It includes a brief history and reprints of an undated catalog from the late 1950s or early 1960s, as well as catalogs from 1962, 1966, 1967, and 1980. The Culver Glassware Company of Brooklyn, N.Y., was especially known for its use of highly ornate designs with bright gold and many other decorative treatments. This volume illustrates over 120 different designs, offering an introduction to the items offered by this little-known company. Written & compiled by Tom Felt. 81 pages, fully illustrated, with 34 pages in full color and a pattern index.
$14.00 (non-members)/$10.00 (members)
#60. L. J. Houze Convex Glass Company: Brief History, Advertisements, Patents & 1972 Catalog Reprint.
Advertisements and patent drawings trace the story of this company from its origins in 1902 as a manufacturer of window glass through the 1920s and 1930s when they produced many items in MarbleX, a slag glass often confused with the products of Akro Agate. Pieces illustrated include candlesticks, gear shift balls, ash trays, lamps, and much more. In the 1950s, Houze changed course once again, developing techniques for screen printing photographs and other decorations onto glassware — including the very first all-glass greeting cards. This era is represented by a full-color reprint of their 1972 catalog. Compiled by Tom Felt. 42 pages, fully illustrated (some color).
$14.00 (non-members)/$10.00 (members).
#57. Libbey decorated stemware, tumblers & accessories, part 1, 1954-1963
Selected catalog pages present a cross-section of the decorated stemware and tumblers manufactured by Libbey Glassware in the 1950s and early 1960s. For many families during these years, these gaily decorated sets offered both color and a touch of elegance to their everyday table settings. Today, they are not only nostalgic but also provide a capsule history of American design in the second half of the twentieth century. Included is a a special section on Golden Foliage & Silver Foliage. Compiled by Tom Felt. 76 pages, with an index (extensive color).
$14.00 (non-members)/$10.00 (members)
#58. Libbey decorated stemware, tumblers & accessories, part 2, 1965-1973
Selected catalog pages continue where the monograph 57 left off, presenting hundreds of additional decorations, both elegant and flamboyant, from the later 1960s and early 1970s. For many families during these years, these gaily decorated sets offered both color and a touch of elegance to their everyday table settings. Today, they are not only nostalgic but also provide a capsule history of American design in the second half of the twentieth century. Compiled by Tom Felt. 67 pages, with an index (extensive color).
$14.00 (non-members)/$10.00 (members)
SOME YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED
#10. Decorated Glass of the 1950s: Original Advertisements
Includes reprints of over 100 original advertisements from many glass companies and decorators of the period, including Bartlett-Collins (designed by Russel Wright – 1 page), Silver City Glass Company (1 page), Houze Art (2 pages), Corning Glass Works (1 page), West Virginia Glass (2 pages), Beaver Valley Glass Company (1 page), Wheeling Decorating Company (1 page), Mary Ryan (1 page), Dorothy Thorpe (3 pages), the Washington Company (5 pages), Rubel (11 pages)l, Park Avenue Manufacturing Company (5 pages), Lotus Glass Company (6 pages), Libbey Glass/Owens-Illinois (10 pages), Higgins Handcrafted Glass (manufactured by Dearborn Glass Company), Glass Guild (designs by Georges Briard – 15 pages), Gay Fad Studios (10 pages), Colony Glassware (distributed by Pitman-Dreitzer & Company – 6 pages), and CeraGlass (distributed by Vincent Lippe Corporation – 16 pages). Research by Dean Six. 98 pages (some color).
$14.00 (non-members)/$10.00 (members)
#119. Dorothy Thorpe, Designer: Advertisements, Trade Journal & Newspaper Reports
This work compiles information about the mid-century California decorator, with advertisements and magazine articles showing her carved designs, silver, gold and other decorations on glassware, china, lucite, linens, etc. Includes a brief biography of the artist. Compiled and written by Tom Felt. 53 pages, fully illustrated.
$12.00 (non-members)/$8.00 (members)
#96. Lornita Glass Corp., 1945-1953: Guyaux, PA
For the first time, the story of this little-known manufacturer of decorated milk glass is told. Founded by Max Biberthaler, former general manager of the New Martinsville Glass Mfg. Co., Lornita used molds acquired from the Point Marion Glass Novelty Co., Gillinder, Dithridge, and other early companies. Many of these molds were acquired by Kemple after Lornita’s closing, leading to misattribution of many of Lornita’s decorated pieces. Among the hundred of pieces illustrated in this monograph are plates, vases, and lamps, as well as numerous pieces with Abels, Wasserberg Charleton decorations. A must for the collector of milk glass, old or new. Research & written by James Measell, Historian, Fenton Art Glass Co. 65 pages, fully illustrated throughout, including many in color.
$14.00 (non-members)/$10.00 (members)
#107. L. E. Smith Glass Company Animates, 1975-1988
Over the years, the L. E. Smith Glass Company made many lighting goods. One specialty, produced from 1975-1988, was the animates — a series of double walled votive holders with scenes appearing on the interior candle holder, so that the lamps had a three-dimensional effect, flickering and moving when the candles were lit. Also included are reflection lights, crystolites, glimmer lites, and cameo lights. 171 different designs were offered over the years, all illustrated in catalog reprints included in this monograph. Compiled with an introduction by Tom Felt. 52 pages.
$14.00 (non-members)/$10.00 (members)
#151. West Virginia Glass Specialty Company Decorations, 1948-1984: Catalog Pages and Advertisements
This monograph contains images of over 200 decorations offered by West Virginia Glass Specialty Company in the Mid-Century years, all the patterns that can currently be documented. Compiled by Tom Felt. 143 pages, fully illustrated and indexed.
$14.00 (non-members)/$10.00 (members)
Foreign Glass
OUR BEST SELLERS
#59. Czech glass catalog, featuring Kralik Glassworks and others
Reprints a rare catalog from WVMAG’s collection, originally issued by an unidentified Bohemian wholesale glass exporter in the years prior to World War I. It documents 196 decors and 233 vases, as well as many epergnes, water sets, and pitchers. Although the manufacturers are not named, at least three pages can be attributed to the Kralik Glassworks of Lenora. This catalog is a welcome addition to the scarce documentation on Czech glassware and is a must-have reference for collectors and researchers alike. With a fore note by Alfredo Villanueva Collado, Ph.D. 15 pages (color).
$14.00 (non-members)/$10.00 (members)
#121. Imported Glassware in the Butler Bros. Catalogs, 1901-1941
This work reprints pages from various Butler Brothers catalogs, showing the variety of imported glassware sold by this massive wholesaler in the early twentieth century and again just prior to the beginning of World War II. Most of the pieces shown are identified as Bohemian (later Czechoslovakian), but in the late 1930s, Japanese glassware is also shown. This is a great resource for identifying dates, styles, and availability of imported glassware in this country. Compiled with an introduction by Tom Felt. 31 pages, fully illustrated.
$12.00 (non-members)/$8.00 (members)
#25. Italian Import Glass of the Late 1950s
This monograph is illustrated with extensive black and white advertisements for several importers from trade journals and one Jordan’s Importing Company 1958 Venetian glass catalog in full. Animals, figurines, art glassware of all types are included. Edited by Dean Six. 37 pages.
$12.00 (non-members)/$8.00 (members)
#120. Josef Inwald 1940 Catalog Reprint
This work reprints the 1940 catalog of Josef Inwald, a major Bohemian glass manufacturer with multiple factories in the area that became Czechoslovakia. The importance of this catalog is that it shows production during the period of Nazi occupation, picturing many pieces considered art deco today, including the opalescent items collected today as Barolac. This catalog is divided into four parts. The largest section (33 catalog pages) is “Lisovane Sklo” (or Pressed Glass). This includes stemware, mugs, open salts, ashtrays, candlesticks, trays, vases, perfumes and other dresser items, tableware lines (including Jacobean), and much more. The second section, consisting of one page, is devoted to “Durit-Duritopal,” Inwald’s shock-resistant tableware. Four pages of “Dute Sklo” feature blown tumblers, pitchers, bottles, and various medical items, including a line of chamber pots and urinals. Finally, one page of “Nahrobni Osvetleni” appears to be lighting goods. With an introduction by Tom Felt. 96 pages, fully illustrated.
$12.00 (non-members)/$8.00 (members)
SOME YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED
#30. British Glass Manufacturers 1950
It contains a list of manufacturers with brief data and many advertisements from the Pottery Gazette & Glass Trade Review of 1950. Webb, Royal Brierley, Geo. Davidson, Whitefriars, are just a few of the companies whose products are illustrated. 33 pages.
$12.00 (non-members)/$8.00 (members)
#66. Charles Bacik Catalog and the Beginnings of Modern Waterford Cut Glass
This remarkable monograph reprints a catalog produced by Charles Bacik circa 1946 showing wares from his cut glass factory in Svetla, Czechoslovakia. The original appears to have been mimeographed on coarse construction-type paper. Bacik left Czechoslovakia just before the Communist takeover of the country shortly after this catalog was issued and settled in Ireland, where he established the cutting company that ultimately became the present-day Waterford Glass. This catalog contains 153 illustrations of cut pieces, with 82 different cuttings and 63 different forms shown — all of them closely resembling the wares produced by Waterford in the post World War II era. 63 pages, fully illustrated.
$12.00 (non-members)/$8.00 (members)
#154. Josef Inwald 1930s Catalog Reprint -- the Art Deco / Barolac Period
The catalog reprinted here is identified as being from Josef Inwald A.S. Prague and is labeled as A-1. It has the crossed J’s trademark, which had been registered in the 1930s by John Jenkins and Sons, an import firm, who marketed much of Inwald’s glass in England as Barolac. Comparing this catalog with the 1940 catalog that was reprinted as our Monograph No. 120, it will be noted that a few of these designs continued to be made, but not the most quintessentially art deco ones like the Angel, Cactus, Elephant, Fish, Forest, Iris, Poppy, Roses, and Tulips vases, the Dragonflies, Ears of Wheat, Swallow, and Water Lilies bowls, and the Dolphin, Dancer, Flamingo, Innocence, and Penguin flower frog figurines. This catalog is divided into six parts: Salads or Plates (9 pages), Vases (15 pages), Ash Trays (2 pages), Suites [Tableware] (30 pages), Trinket Sets [Perfumes and Boudoir Items] (8 pages), and Liqueur- and Wine-Sets (4 pages). It is not complete. Originally the tableware section had 40 pages, but we are missing S-1 through S-9 and S-25. With an introduction by Tom Felt. 50 pages, fully illustrated, with an index.
$12.00 (non-members)/$8.00 (members)
#105. Post-War Czechoslovakian Glass: Two Imprints Made for the English-Speaking Market:
Czechoslovakia Glass Review, Vol. 1, No. 2, 1946 & Vol. IX, No. 1, 1954. This monograph consists of two magazines of Czech glass post World War II. The first was issued in 1946 when the country was recovering from the war and contains a section on the reorganization of the Czechslovakian glass industry, listing old and new factory names & types of glass made. Both magazines include many advertisements and other illustrations. 77 pages, illustrated throughout.
$12.00 (non-members)/$8.00 (members)