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Glass Discussion & Research. NO IDENTIFICATION REQUESTS here please. => British & Irish Glass => Topic started by: Anne on July 19, 2005, 05:46:40 PM

Title: United Glass Bottle Co bowl query...
Post by: Anne on July 19, 2005, 05:46:40 PM
I'm curious about this auction piece... the seller is listing it as ?Bagley? but it has a reg no on it.. RD 810280, which in the blue book, is shown as United Glass Bottle Company. 26/2/36.  

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7336641875

I have two questions if anyone can help please?

1. Would this have been sold with something in it? e.g. jam. pickles, whatever, as it's made by a bottle co?

2. Did they make a large range of glassware other than just bottles (and this type of "bowl")?

Any info more than welcome, thanks. ;)
Title: United Glass Bottle Co bowl query...
Post by: Bernard C on July 19, 2005, 06:22:23 PM
Anne — it is the only item made by UGB that I know of that is not a utilitarian bottle or jar.   Anything more than that would be guesswork.   I can't see how it fits in with their mainstream product range.  Perhaps it was a special for a large or favoured client.

I think alternate panels are identical, indicating a plaster model from which the mould sections were cast, perhaps indicating a mainland European mouldmaker.

Anyway, as I said, no-one really knows.

Bernard C.  8)
Title: United Glass Bottle Co bowl query...
Post by: Anne on July 19, 2005, 10:37:03 PM
Bernard, thank you. So it's a puzzler then. I like the shape of it though.
Title: United Glass Bottle Co bowl query...
Post by: ChrisStewart on July 20, 2005, 07:47:02 AM
Bernard,

Didn't United Glass Bottle Manufacturers Ltd own Sherdley Glass who later formed Ravenhead Glass ?

Chris
Title: United Glass Bottle Co bowl query...
Post by: Bernard C on July 20, 2005, 08:49:18 AM
Chris — thanks for putting me right.

Jackson tells us that UGB Sherdley made the Kingfisher bowl, pattern P262, in flint and dark amber until 1948, on one of two American machines installed in 1931 devoted to making pressed glass tableware.   Probably the best known pattern made on these new machines was Ripple (jug P370, tumbler P417), made 1938–48.

Ravenhead Glass was formed from the newer of the two UGB glassworks near Ravenhead Colliery.   All in all, UGB comprised some half dozen glassworks on Merseyside.

I couldn't have been more wrong previously!

Bernard C.  8)
Title: United Glass Bottle Co bowl query...
Post by: Anne on July 20, 2005, 11:09:59 AM
Chris and Bernard, thank you for the extra info, much appreciated. I really need to get hold of a copy of this book you refer to Chris... it would be a useful addition to my collection methinks. :)
Title: United Glass Bottle Co bowl query...
Post by: ChrisStewart on July 21, 2005, 07:46:40 AM
Hi Bernard, Anne,

United Glass Bottle Manufacturers started to produce domestic glassware and glassware for the Licensed Vituallers trade in 1932. The distribution and marketing of this glassware was exclusively handled by Johnsen & Jorgensen Ltd.

In 1964 United Glass Bottle Manufacturers created United Glass (Ravenhead) Ltd to manage all production interests in table glassware. Johnsen & Jorgensen  were given two seats on the board of the new company, but had no financial interest. By the end of 1964 all production had moved to a single factory.


Regards

Chris
Title: United Glass Bottle Co bowl query...
Post by: Anne on July 21, 2005, 11:39:38 AM
Thanks for this Chris, I hadn't realised UGB became Ravenhead. Very interesting especially in view of the discussion elsewhere on the board about  Ravenhead.
Title: United Glass Bottle Co bowl query...
Post by: Sklounion on July 21, 2005, 09:45:48 PM
Quote
Sherdley Glass who later formed Ravenhead Glass


Both Sherdley and Ravenhead were owned by UGBM, simultaneously, and operated without encroaching on each others core business. Only in 1964 did both Sherdley and Ravenhead merge, when production was moved to the Ravenhead plant. This was possibly due to the arrival of new 3-6 colour thermoplastic decorating equipment at Ravenhead. Prior to this only Sherdley had produced decorated glass using the direct screen-printing process.
(See: Lesley Jackson, "British Glass in use during the 1950's", from;
"European Glass in Use, suomen lasimuseo,1994, Riihimaen. ISBN 951-8952-30-2

Marcus
Title: United Glass Bottle Co bowl query...
Post by: Bernard C on August 04, 2005, 01:01:27 PM
Quote from: "Le Casson"
(See: Lesley Jackson, "British Glass in use during the 1950's", from;
"European Glass in Use, suomen lasimuseo,1994, Riihimaen. ISBN 951-8952-30-2


Marcus — this looks a most useful publication.   What is your overall opinion of it as a source for a mainly British specialist like yours truly?

Regards, Bernard C.  8)
Title: United Glass Bottle Co bowl query...
Post by: Sklounion on August 04, 2005, 08:56:44 PM
Bernard,

Bear with me, I'm just pulling it of the shelves to go through it again, and will give you a clearer response.
For me, and this is without a re- reading, as this book deals with utility glass, there is much stuff that may be familiar to many, without recognition that there was serious design input, and also that so much of it did not rest solely within national boundaries but was globally available.

I have found it invaluable.

I will give you a better and more accurate response with regard to British glass shortly.

Thanks and regards,

Marcus
Title: United Glass Bottle Co bowl query...
Post by: Sklounion on August 05, 2005, 09:04:59 AM
Bernard,

As promised.

This is a useful source-book. The four essays are very informative, and are contributed by experts in their national glass history, (German, English, Czech and Finnish) and the period dealt with is predominantly post-war.

Jackson's essay " British Glass in Use During the 1950's extends to @ 15 pages, and is illustrated with posters for companies such as Chance, Davidson, Sherdley, Ravenhead, Has quite detailed sections on automatically blown glass, (and the distinction between Dema's one piece production and Ravenhead's two piece), Heat-resistant glass, Baxter and Stennett-Willson, lead crystal.

The book has @ 200+ illustrations, of which 180 are those items exhibited.
These include RY Goodens spiderweb service for Chance, Wliiamson's Doric for Sherdley. Certainly there are pieces, which only exist in museum collections (prototypes) and these are few and far between.

As noted previously, the international nature  of glass, and import/export trading means that many of the items originating from Czechoslovakia, Finland and Germany, are just as likely to appear in the UK. That being the case, simply as an identification manual, the book is worth having.

I hope you find this useful.

regards,

Marcus
Title: United Glass Bottle Co bowl query...
Post by: Anonymous on August 05, 2005, 09:48:31 AM
and again the spectacular absence of the Belgians - it is as if they never existed!
Ivo
Title: United Glass Bottle Co bowl query...
Post by: Bernard C on August 08, 2005, 12:22:05 PM
Marcus — thanks.   I have added it to my wants list.

Apologies for the delay in replying, I am camping with the family (Janet & Boris, the chocolate tabby) in the Isle of Purbeck.

Regards, Bernard C.  8)