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Pattern Variations in Children's Glass
Reprint of article by Anna Green
published in Tiny Times, Spring, 1997
At our Convention in Newark, the glass panel
discussed variations which occur in some
of the pattern glass sets of children's dishes.
Some of these had been noted previously,
but others seemed to be "news"
to many who attended. Therefore, I will list
some in this issue, with more to follow.
"Tulip and Homeycomb" table sets
were made in two versions. One of these is
the set to which the knobs on the sugar and
the high domed butter lids are a round ball.
This set is shown in Federal Glass Co. catalog
reprints (Whitmyer soft cover book, pg. 95)
The second set has the same shaped creamer,
spooner and sugar base; however, the sugar
lid knob matches those to the covered vegetable
dishes, and the butter is the piece commonly
called "the small butter"; which
you will note has that same lobed knob. None
of the books on children's glass pictures
the sugar to this set, but now that you know
what to look for I am sure you will find
one to complete your set.
Another "problem" set is usually
called "Flattened Diamond Sunburst".
Actually there are two sets, by two different
makers. Westmoreland Glass Co. of Grapeville,
PA made the set which has a sugar and spooner
with two handles. They called it "Thumbelina"
according to a catalog reprint shown in Book
II on Depression Era Glass by Hazel Weatherman.
The set without handles in the sugar or spooner
was made by Portland Glass Co. and named
"Waterford" pattern. It is pictured
in the book on Portland Glass by Ladd.
Many of you may have noticed differences
in your "Grapevine and Ovals" pieces.
That is also because two variations have
turned up. The easiest way to separate the
two is to look at the leaves. One set has
more typical grape leaves - five lobes in
a starlike shape. The other set has a group
of three long, narrow leaves. (see the sugar
on pg. 208 of Lechler's Toy Glass.) There
is also a difference in the shape of the
sugars and spooners. The spooner to the five-lobed
set has a wide flattened top rim, and the
diameter is a little bigger, more easily
noticed if viewed from the top. The lid to
the five-lobed sugar will not fit the three-leaf
version because the former is slightly larger
in diameter than the latter. But always keep
in mind that matching the leaves is the easiest
way to complete your sets. Since the long
narrow leaves are not typical of grapes perhaps
a different fruit was intended. (McKee made
a "Barberry" pattern.)
Tidbits of information on other glass pieces:
 1. To my knowledge no one has found a "Diamond
Ridge" butter, or a "Block and
Rosette" butter, although I have found
a "Block and Rosette" mini rose
bowl. It is the same size as the other Duncan
Miller rose bowls.
2. The "water set" called "Banded
Portland" is actually Cambridge Glass
Company's "Mount Vernon" pattern
and was not intended to be children's glass.
3. Several of us have found a "Wheat
Sheaf "set consisting of a pitcher (which
looks more like it would be the creamer to
a table set, except for the fact that it
was found with six "Wheat Sheaf"
tumblers. Since none of us has found the
"decanter" with tumblers together,
as a set, we believe the creamer-style pitcher
and six tumblers are truly a "Wheat
Sheaf" water set. The "decanter"
with glass stopper is pictured in a Cambridge
Glass catalog reprint and captioned "Novelties".
4. I believe all "Pattee Cross"
child's pieces should have the notches on
the petals. If you look at the U.S. Glass
Company catalog reprints you will notice
this to be true. (pg xxiii of Lechler's Toy
Glass). Since an extended table service was
made in this pattern, pieces that have smooth
petals were probably intended for adults.
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Thanks to my collecting children's china,
I met a wonderful friend I have known for
20 years. I first met Anna at the Carlisle
Antiques show. Member Abbie Kelly was there
and introduced me to her. We all decided
to have a Convention of the toy dish collectors
in Rochester, NY, and the club was formed.
Anna was a charter member of the Toy Dish
Collectors Club. Her contributions to the
Club were many. She often wrote informative
articles for the early newsletters of Doris
Lechler, Lorraine Punchard, and our own Tiny Times. Anna had a great knowledge of antiques.
When she was at a Convention, you would always
hear "Ask Anna" ... she always
knew the answer! I know I often called her,
as many of you have, to broaden our knowledge
of antiques. I was always asking her to have
a column in the Tiny Times called "Ask Anna". Being a shy
person, she would just laugh. Not me!"
she would say.
Anna was a wonderful dealer as well, and
we were always happy to have her at our Conventions.
She was a long time advertiser in the "Antique
Trader". Anna helped many of us to build
a wonderful collection. Not many people saw
her own collection, so when she invited me,
I felt privileged. Her collection included
china, glass, irons, stoves, kitchens, stores,
etc. The long trip to see her was certainly
worth every minute. She lived in a rural
1840's farmhouse which I think was the coldest
spot on earth! I would drive down, pick her
up, and it was off to Adamstown or Allentown,
PA. We would have the greatest lunches in
the Pennsylvania Dutch country.
I will miss her very much. her twinkling
eyes, contagious laugh and her sharp mind.
I was privileged to have known her.
Sincerely, Julie Kilcullen.
P.S. Anna always said I was a good writer.
I hope I did her proud.
Tiny Times Editor Gail Ryan's note: I met Anna Green just once. She was a kind,
sweet lady. I did just as Julie mentioned
... called her whenever I had a question
about Toy Glass that no one else could answer.
She was always generous with her time, and
an encyclopedia of information. She will
be missed. |
| Reprinted from the Tiny Times newsletter,
Spring 2008 |
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