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Glass Discussion & Research. NO IDENTIFICATION REQUESTS here please. => British & Irish Glass => Topic started by: Glen on July 09, 2005, 04:09:20 PM

Title: Davidson's Vaseline Glass
Post by: Glen on July 09, 2005, 04:09:20 PM
Can anyone tell me how "easy to find" is the Davidson column vase (number 279 I believe) in vaseline?

Thank you.
Glen
Title: Davidson's Vaseline Glass
Post by: mrvaselineglass on July 09, 2005, 04:13:27 PM
Glen
Can you share a picture?
Dave
Title: Davidson's Vaseline Glass
Post by: Bernard C on July 09, 2005, 04:53:06 PM
Glen — It depends on what you mean by vaseline and by 279!

Vaseline could mean uranium green, uranium yellow or both.   279 could mean 279 or what was made from the three 279 moulds – 279 and 279D – 279 with the slightly flared rim, 279D with the turned-over rim.

The only combination that I know was made was the uranium yellow 279D, which I have had through my hands in all three sizes, 6", 8", and 10".    These are not what I would call rare, but are unusual, so scarce would probably be a realistic description.

They are, in my not so humble opinion, quite beautiful.

Bernard C.  8)
Title: Davidson's Vaseline Glass
Post by: Glen on July 09, 2005, 05:01:41 PM
That'll be it Bernard! And yes, very beautiful.

I'll try and get a photo tomorrow, Dave. (I also need to get a pic done of our Barolac vase which I promised a while ago).

My thanks to you both for your interest and information.

Glen
Title: Davidson's Vaseline Glass
Post by: Anonymous on July 09, 2005, 05:16:20 PM
Good evening Glen

In the 20 years that I have been dealing/collecting Davidsons I have not seen a vaseline ( of either of Bernards description ) 279 at all. There might be some reference to the colour on the cloud glass site but not something that I have checked. I am assumimg that we are definately not talking about Davidsons jade... which is a different matter altogether.


Regards


Gareth


Morgan48
Title: Davidson's Vaseline Glass
Post by: Bernard C on July 09, 2005, 05:41:01 PM
Gareth — yes, we are not talking about Davidson's jade.   Davidson's uranium yellow is what was known on both sides of the Atlantic as Canary.   It is similar to the clear yellow of Primrose Pearline, although not usually such a strong yellow.

I suspect more uranium yellow 279Ds were made than is apparent from those turning up today.   It is such a vulnerable shape and many must have suffered terminal rim damage.

Bernard C.  8)
Title: Davidson's Vaseline Glass
Post by: Glen on July 09, 2005, 06:41:37 PM
Yes Gareth, it is a true yellow, and as Bernard has already said, not the jade at all. It's quite an acidic kind of yellow, similar to yellow pearline, as Bernard noted, though to me it is not as warm a shade. Just a hint more tangy.

It's the only example I have ever seen, and I can't actually recall when we bought it now (maybe 10 or 15 years back). My parents have a small collection of vaseline and pearline and we gave it to them to include in the display. I just happened to notice it today...silly of me really to have "forgotten" about something so lovely. We'll try and get a pic of it tomorrow.
Title: Davidson's Vaseline Glass
Post by: Anonymous on July 10, 2005, 10:36:02 AM
Glen/Bernard

Yes that is exactly what I expected you meant but as has been observed on other postings it is surprising how many different terms and references are sometimes used for the same piece. To that I would confirm as I said before that certainly in my experience Davidsons uranium glass is relatively rare.... and quite a nice looking piece I should imagine.


Regards


Gareth


Morgan48
Title: Davidson's Vaseline Glass
Post by: Glen on July 10, 2005, 11:08:19 AM
Gareth, you're absolutely right to have asked the question - and I'm grateful to you for your interest in the topic. And of course, if I had had a photo then you would have know right away what I meant  :shock:

Hoping to get a pic for you today.

Thanks again.

Glen
Title: Davidson's Vaseline Glass
Post by: Glen on July 10, 2005, 02:24:08 PM
And here's the photo.........

http://www.geocities.com/wwwcga/DavidsonVaseline.html

Please note that I have loaded it on a free website, so to get rid of the Yahoo menu on the right, simply click the >> which is to the left of the red Yahoo logo top right of the window.

I believe this vase is the 279 (not D, as it is not curved down at the rim, but is flared upward).

Glen
Title: Davidson's Vaseline Glass
Post by: mrvaselineglass on July 10, 2005, 02:29:07 PM
Glen
I have NEVER seen one of these!  I sure appreciate you sharing the photo!!!
Dave Peterson
Title: Davidson's Vaseline Glass
Post by: Bernard C on July 10, 2005, 02:39:12 PM
Glen — Wonderful.   It's new to me!   Is it the 6", 8", or 10"?

Bernard C.  8)
Title: Davidson's Vaseline Glass
Post by: Glen on July 10, 2005, 03:31:48 PM
Bernard, it's 8". I meant to put that on the webpage, so I've added it now. I've also added a second page with pics taken against a white background so that you can see the yellowness of the vase. It's wonderful how as soon as it's against a black background the colour changes, chameleon like. Anyhow, less chat and more action, here's the second lot of pics. Don't forget to click on that >> by the Yahoo red logo to get rid of the advertising menu and open up the entire screen.

http://www.geocities.com/wwwcga/DavidsonVaseline2.html

Glen
Title: Davidson's Vaseline Glass
Post by: ChrisStewart on July 10, 2005, 05:22:06 PM
Hi All,

They also made the 279 10" version in Uranium Glass. I think the only other examples of 1920s Davidson Uranuium I have seen have been in the 695 and 269 patterns
Regards

Chris
Title: Davidson's Vaseline Glass
Post by: mrvaselineglass on July 10, 2005, 06:54:38 PM
Chris just mentioned Suite 269 by Davidson, and I happen to have a piece of that in vaseline/uranium, so thought I would post the photo for all.

http://www.vaselineglass.org/davidson269a.jpg
http://www.vaselineglass.org/davidson269.jpg

Dave
Title: Davidson's Vaseline Glass
Post by: Tony H on July 19, 2005, 07:39:38 PM
Hi All
Here is another Davidson piece in vaseline, Rg No 413701 14 july 1903, I know not 1920s but I believe one of Davidson's longest running pattern.
This often called William and Mary (Bill Heacock)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v325/d554to/JA3564DavidsonRD41370114thJuly1903.jpg

Tony H
Title: Davidson's Vaseline Glass
Post by: Anne on July 19, 2005, 10:45:44 PM
The 269 Davidson pattern... is this the one sometimes referred to as blackberry prunt? I have a wavy edged dish on a chrome stand in this pattern (in green, not vaseline) and my mother has a plate in it in blue.
Title: Davidson's Vaseline Glass
Post by: Tony H on July 19, 2005, 11:35:26 PM
Hi Anne
269 suite is Rg No 533040 18 Nov 1908 and was in continuous production until early 1970s.

I have some in my collection came in pink green blue amber clear satin finish and clear in crome fittings etc

Have a look at Chris & Val Stwert Clody glass site under G Davidson Registerations has a photo of a Purple Cloud Glass piece.

Here is a link to a fruit set not the best photo this is in Uranium green.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v325/d554to/Davidson269SuiteinUraniumGreen.jpg

Tony H
Title: Davidson's Vaseline Glass
Post by: Anne on July 19, 2005, 11:42:02 PM
Thanks Tony, this is the same pattern as mine. I'll try and do a photo of this tomorrow. :)
Title: Davidson's Vaseline Glass
Post by: Bernard C on July 20, 2005, 09:34:30 AM
Tony, so it was Bill Heacock invented those ***** names for pearline patterns, just to force people to buy his book.    I suspected it but wasn't sure.   Clever but totally unnecessary as his books otherwise are superb reference works.   Please, what is the title?

Bernard C.  8)
Title: Davidson's Vaseline Glass
Post by: Tony H on July 20, 2005, 10:52:08 AM
Bernard
I read it somewhere not sure where he published a lot of books, may have been one of the books on vaseline glass!! or Victorian glass.
will try and find out

Tony H.
Title: Davidson's Vaseline Glass
Post by: Glen on July 20, 2005, 11:06:22 AM
Bernard and Tony - my understanding is that William Heacock began naming the patterns in his second book on Opalescent Glass. He then continued this in the journal "The Glass Collector" (esp issues #5 and #6 1983). He did note in issue 5:

Quote
Surprisingly, even with new research being published in England, the writers there tend to shy away from officially naming patterns, preferring instead to stick with original numbers and names (when known). We Americans tend to collect by name, so I trust my British peers will forgive a "foreigner" for naming glass of English heritage. I too have English ancestry, which somehow helps the guilt I am feeling".


I do understand his point of view to an extent. It IS easier to remember a name than a number, there's no doubt about that. But on the other hand I don't like some of the names he chose, and it does seem wrong to use contrived names where the correct factory pattern number is known.

Having said that, I am guilty, to some extent, of doing a similar thing. I have named a lot (yes a LOT) of Carnival Glass patterns that previously had no known/reported name. In one or two cases I have since found an original name and have then continued to refer to the patterns by their "new" name as well as the original one.
Title: Davidson's Vaseline Glass
Post by: Glen on July 20, 2005, 11:11:58 AM
As a PS to my above message, Bernard, I don't think Heacock actually named the patterns "just to force people to buy his book".

I really think he did it with the best of intentions, as he genuinely felt there was a need for collectors to have something easier to pin the patterns down with. And having said all that in Heacock's defence, I admit to always having a strange (slightly inexplicable and somewhat irrational) shudder of dislike when I am forced to use those (contrived yet well meaning) pattern names.

Glen (who feels she should be re-named Mary as she feels quite Contrary)
Title: Davidson's Vaseline Glass
Post by: Bernard C on July 20, 2005, 11:29:59 AM
Thanks, Glen, I hear what you say!

Jack Horner  8)
Title: Davidson's Vaseline Glass
Post by: Anne on July 21, 2005, 01:08:03 AM
This is my green Davidson 269 bowl on a chrome stand:    http://yobunny.org.uk/gallery1/displayimage.php?pos=-225
Title: Davidson's Vaseline Glass
Post by: ChrisStewart on July 21, 2005, 07:58:20 AM
Hi Glen,

Whats wrong with just calling the suites may the names that Davidson gave them e.g the 1896 suite, the 269 suite, the 945 suite etc ?

Regards

Chris
Title: Davidson's Vaseline Glass
Post by: Glen on July 21, 2005, 08:09:45 AM
Absolutely nothing wrong with that at all Chris. I totally agree with you and Bernard. That's why I said that "it does seem wrong to use contrived names where the correct factory pattern number is known." I would much prefer to use the original suite numbers etc where they are known.

I was simply playing devil's advocate. William Heacock is long deceased and can't answer for himself, so I was just trying to put his point of view over so as to give an understanding of why the "pattern naming" took place. I wasn't saying I agreed with it - I was just helping to explain why Heacock did it. I am sure he had the best of intentions. Effectively it has become part of glass history (albeit recent history) and I feel it's important to know the facts and the context in which the controversial "pattern naming" took place.

Glen (aka Mary, Mary)