FBS mark (French, Scottish, Italian & Czech glass... US retailer?

[Frank]

Not discussed here since the new board but I have recently come across two more examples of the FBS mark.

[NIGEL - I think you mentioned a French one some time ago, was it etched or engraved?]

The FBS mark first came to light on Monart Glass where it only appears occasionally and only when the piece has the etched Monart export mark too. Monart version:
(http://www.ysartglass.com/BaseLabel/Labelimage/MonSignplusBFS.jpg) Monart was only sold to retailers in the US so it will not be a wholesaler.

I have also been told of a piece of Italian glass with a paper label bearing the FBS logo, the label also said Italy and had more that was not legible.

Now it has appeared on another French piece engraved.

(http://www.ysartglass.com/forum/FBSfrance2.jpg)

This is probably a US importer/retailer... but who?

[Laura Friedman]

The Italians will drive you crazy.


There is an FTB label, used by Barovier e Toso (then called Ferro Toso Barovier) between 1935 and 1942.  See the green label in the middle of this photo:
(http://www.planetglass.net/images/longnautilus9.JPG)

More likely, however, the label you have heard of with a Barovier Seguso Ferro (BSF) label. I don't have a photo to show as an example, but they look similair to what you posted.  

Laura

[Laura Friedman]

By the way, the order of the Barovier Seguso Ferro label could have been changed to something like ""BFS", making it very likely the one you have heard of.

Laura

[Frank]

Hi Laura,

The Italian label was identical to the other FBS marks, I misplaced the image though. Have been hunting this one for years and everything points to it being a US/Canada origin. In most cases it included the country of origin alongside the mark, there is a slight chance that the Y shape is actually a Y.

The only consistency is that the method of applying seems consistent, Moncrieff was always acid etched and another French example was reported to me matching the one shown above. That implies that the mark was requested as part of the order.

Most of the Monart examples, at least a dozen reported, have turned up in the US and the mark was always been on pieces with the export mark as above. Export marked Monart has also been found in Canada, New Zealand and Australia.

[Laura Friedman]

The italian label must have been Barovier Seguso Ferro.  I've seen it and it looks just like what you posted (with the Y divider in the middle).

Laura

[glasswizard]

Frank states that Monart was sold only to retailers. Not in glass but I have seen several pieces of China marked with a retailers name. I have seen Haviland marked "Marshall Fields, Chicago Haviland france. Some of these marks can get wordy. "Made for So and So The city name and then Company name and country of origin. I lean toward a Retailer, but the question remains which one. Terry

[Frank]

What we do know is that they operated at least 'somwhere' between 1925 and 1960 and they no longer exist.

Most such marked pieces are found in the USA or Canada. In the case of Monart always found with Moncrieff export markings. Collectors have re-imported to Europe.

They imported from at least UK, France, Italy and Bohemia.

They imported quality decorative glass and ceramics.

Makers used different methods to apply the marks; etched, engraved or labelled. Slight variations in design are seen but the letters are always in the same orientation in a Y shape within a circle.

It is likely that the mark was registered in the US or Canada as a trade mark. It should appear in trade directories etc.

The likelihood of it being an 'official' body is unlikely as this would make the mark more common. I have always asked US sellers if they can throw any light on its origin.

There is a coincidence with the initials of Barovier Seguso Ferro and a similar label has been reported (above)

[Glasshound]

I have an Art Deco period decanter that has a FBS label on it from Estonia...

Blair

[Frank]

Can you post a picture of the label please.

[Frank]

Another example, does anyone know where the glass is from.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7417614339

[Connie]

If it is a retailer or importer mark, then it is likely to be a New York City one due to the source of the glass (European continent) and the time period.

I have been thinking and thinking about this but haven't come up with any good ideas or matches on the initials.

Federated Dept Stores and Feldman Bros. were 2 big retailers operating in this time period.  Federated is still in business but as parent company. But the intials really don't match  :roll:

[Patti]

Hi!
I'm new here and struggling to figure out how to post pictures...but I'm working on it.
I've recently discovered that I may have an Art Deco style of Monart vase.  It was a gift to my mother in 1936. I cannot any Monart markings on it, but it does have the "FBS" and the word "France" marked on the bottom.  It's 9 1/2 inches tall and very Art Deco-y.
It will be up for sale as soon as I can determine if it is, in fact, a Monart.  I'm sorry but I can't figure out you letter/shape designations, either.

I'll go back to trying to get pictures loaded.

Thanks for any and all help!

Patti

[Max]

Hi Patti and welcome to the Glass Message Board. 

This topic might interest you:
http://www.glassmessages.com/index.php/topic,183.msg685.html#msg685

Also this article:
http://www.ysartglass.com/Ysart/Monartglass.htm

If you would like help in uploading your photo, then email me at:  maxeen  AT  aol.com

 

[Max]

Here are Patti's photographs of her green mottled vase:

http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/displayimage.php?pos=-7058

http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/displayimage.php?pos=-7057

http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/displayimage.php?pos=-7056

[Frank]

Hi Patti,

This is not Monart, which was made in Scotland. These FBS marks are presumed to be that of US based importer or retailer. The mark, sometimes as a label, has been found on Czech, French and Italian glass. Hopefully someone can identify who made yours and we might get to a better date. Currently it could be anywhere from 1930's to 50's and no-one has come up with any possible identity.

Mostly the pieces with this mark have appeared in the US