Topic: Coughlin (?) dark purple glass block (?)

[ian.macky]

Someone sent me photos of this strange cranberry/purple-blackglass block thing, asking for info:

An elderly friend gave me this dark purple glass block many years ago. It says coughlin on the bottom but I
can't find out anything about this. I have spent hours trying to find this online. It is approx. 4" X 4".

I have no idea what it is!  How about the informed readers on glassmessages?  Any ideas?  See attached pics.

On the bottom is a sticker saying "Coughlin".  It looks to be interlocking and reminds me of Emile Sanders' Vera-Lux blocks.

--ian

[ian.macky]

It's not possible you lot are stumped.  It cannot be.  Someone knows, but has not looked or replied.  Do I win a cookie?

I'm now thinking it's too dark for any sort of glass brick anyway-- it just doesn't pass enough color.  I have some pretty dark glass bricks, but this is darker still than any of them.

It has that interlocking design...  is it just part of a desk/dresser set or trinket set or whatever they're called?

Because of the interlock, several of these could be placed right next to each other in a row, holding....    trinkets?

I have yet to find any glasshouse named Coughlin, also...

[chopin-liszt]

I did have a vague thought that there appears to be a recess for a plug and cable... 

[ian.macky]

Attached is a Vera-Lux glass brick for comparison.

[ian.macky]

I heard again from the owner of this block.  They found similar blocks for sale at an auction house (Botterweg Auctions Amsterdam) and asked them for information.  The reply: "Many of those have been produced in all kind of countries, as far as I know this particular one is not from the Netherlands."

Because of the unlikely dark color, perhaps this was a sample piece?

I'm back to being convinced it is definitely a glass block.

But what about "Coughlin"?

[misha]

Is it a glass lead / acid battery case?

Modern cells I've seen are taller than wide, robust wall thickness and of a clear glass.

[ian.macky]

Is it a glass lead / acid battery case?

Modern cells I've seen are taller than wide, robust wall thickness and of a clear glass.

I've seen quite a few of the old glass batteries, and the jars have aways been clear or the usual default light green  color of cheap glass.  I think you'd probably want transparent glass so you can view the battery's guts and make sure it's in good condition (plates not surphating up or whatever).  This is also much fancier than any glass battery I've seen; batteries have been plainish, with smooth outer surfaces (except for the embossing).  I don't know anything about modern cells; didn't know any with glass cases were still being made.

Attached is a pic of a Richard Dawson's battery glass display from the 2003 NIA Western Insulator Show in California.  You can see some typical old American glass battery jars.