Topic: Phoenix bowl

[Frank]

Neither did the Eisner descendants!

[David E]

I meant; can the families help by providing photos for comparison with this one.

[Frank]

I must admit that is low on my schedule, they did promise to come back to me after sorting the family papers and have not done so yet.

[Heidimin]

Well, well, well...

Looks like that sunshine yellow casserole was meant to be - in my kitchen, that is.

I've just discovered a Times article on United Glass (parent company of Sherdley and Ravenhead), dated 1968, which refers to Phoenix ovenware as one of its tableware subsidiaries.

So now I have the perfect excuse to buy lots of lovely Phoenix ware!!! 

[David E]

I thought you knew about United Glass taking over Phoenix? I don't think it lasted very long though.

[Heidimin]

No - I had no idea. 

Have just re-read the history site you linked to above and discovered that Phoenix closed in 1970. According to the 1968 Times article, the UG Phoenix subsidiary was making big losses. So I guess it was first for the chop when Distillers took over UG the following year (their primary interest was in the UG container glass operation, which was a major supplier for the Distillers drinks business).

Do you know when UG acquired Phoenix? I can't find any reference to the change of ownership on the Black Country industries site.

[David E]

The report I have is dated May 1966. This is when UG made an approach to the British Heat Resisting Glass board, which accepted the offer. I'll send you a photo of the report.

[Heidimin]

Thought you might be interested in this 1958 Phoenix advert:

http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/displayimage.php?pos=-9167

[Heidimin]

While I was ploughing through the Times Digital Archive for United Glass info last night, I found a piece which said that UG had sold Phoenix in early 1969. Not 100% clear to whom, but in May 1969, they were reported to be in negotiations with Jobling, owner of Pyrex, Phoenix's main competitor and the dominant player in the British market (80% of market share).

So my guess is that Jobling bought Phoenix and either closed the operation down completely or at least absorbed production into the Pyrex operation and killed off the Phoenix brand.

Will investigate further once I have access to the TDA again (apparently I can get remote access through Westminster Libraries).

[David E]

I thought I had the press cutting that reported this, but can't find it. I'll let you know if I do. I had a feeling it was a group that bought it, but not related to Jobling - could be wrong though and thinking of something else.