Glass Message Board
Glass Discussion & Research. NO IDENTIFICATION REQUESTS here please. => Far East (excluding China) => Topic started by: David E on January 17, 2007, 10:45:51 PM
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I'm trying to find more information about a Japanese slumped glass maker, who produced a range of glassware similar to Chance. I know some of their output was made for the US giftware company, G.Z. Lefton Co., based in Chicago, Illinois, and these items are invariably marked as such, or have a label. The label often mentions 'Made in Japan'.
This was found on the rim of a plate:
http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/displayimage.php?pos=-4614
One designer may have been Michio Suzuki, but sadly this is also the same name for a prominent mathmetician and the founder of Suzuki Motor Corporation. The equivalent, I assume, of searching for Michael Smith ::) :o
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Hi David,
I think Glen did an article on Lefton glass, so it might help if you give her a nudge on the glass board, also see ebay item 260075779637 for another Lefton label.
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Hi Sue,
Thanks for the link - I missed this one! I wasn't aware that Glen had written an article, so I'll mail her - many thanks.
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Possibility is CAGCO United China and Glass Company
see also Py/Miyao Fun Kitchen Collectibles ISBN 0875886582, not sure if it includes glass or not.
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Thanks Frank.
It would appear CAGCO is a US distribution company, but on the Amazon search I found mention of
Miyao Company, known today as Miyawo
So I'll track this lot down :)
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Miyawo information at http://www.newswiretoday.com/news/7299/ - not sure if this is any help.
Also the book that Frank mentions seems to be out of print but there is one listed on ebay item no. 130062592639
Hil :)
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Thanks Hil, I'll follow this up as well! :)
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Hi David, quite by accident, came across this site, www.sogaglass.co.jp
it may be of interest.
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Most interesting Sue - these Japanese do love Flash-based movies on their web sites, don't they? ;)
Would appear that Soga Glass deal almost exclusively with pressed glass, so I don't know if they ever produced slumped glass products - always a possibility though.
I'm starting to compile a list of Japanese manufacturers now!
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they are quite an old company inaugirated 1907 and registared in 1948, thought they may know of Michio Suzuki? :-\
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Fair point and I'll try asking. Thanks again.
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Found these on ebay - I am wondering if these sellers have any information on Michio Suzuki as they both mention him in their listings. :)
230080518598
7417978514
Hil
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Coo, well found! :D
The second listing mentions Michio Suzuki on the box, so that's pretty conclusive. However, I doubt if either seller would know much about this and are purely quoting from available data.
What I would like to know is the Japanese maker of the plates, so finding out which companies s/he (do we know it's male?) designed for would probably reveal the answer.
I'll carry on scratching when I have a little more time.
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I have found a few more pieces on ebay.com that have the original boxes with Michio Suzuki and also a Lefton ceramic dish which is backstamped with his name.
I don't want to keep loading your thread with ebay items - but if it is of any use to your hunt, I will gladly do so. I am looking in other places too for the company. Is it possible he as a Japanese/American? working for Lefton .............. just a thought as his designs appear on their ceramics too.
Hil :)
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Just found this - hope it helps
http://www.buysellmuch.com/detail.php?siteid=17221 (http://www.buysellmuch.com/detail.php?siteid=17221)
Hil :)
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Woo - thanks Hil 8)
This is more like it - the seller appears to have done research into Lefton, and has a contact with John Lefton, so I've just sent her a mail. Hopefully this will give me an answer!
I've asked about who Michio Suzuki actually worked for. The designs are very Japanese inspired, but that's not really indicative.
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Good Luck!
I also found this - it is an interesting history of Lefton China and was wondering if the glass production was moved in the same way (or for the same reasons) during the 1970's???
http://www.gardenandhearth.com/AntiquesandCollectibles/Lefton-China.htm (http://www.gardenandhearth.com/AntiquesandCollectibles/Lefton-China.htm)
Hil :)
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It's surprising that there are three books alone, just on Lefton China! :o
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As mentioned before, I did find a piece of Lefton china and the seller says it is backstamped with the designers name (Michio Suzuki) and I am wondering if the hunt for him would actually lead to the glass factories used by Lefton. I am thinking MS seems linked to Lefton as a designer only and his designs were used on both china and glass.
I may be way out but I have included the link to the china that cites MS too.
7411624019
7330493876
Kind regards
Hil :)
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This one is dated 1987.
Regards Hil
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Sorry Hil - been so pre-occupied with the Broadfield House thread I didn't notice your latest post.
Which item are you referring to?
hmm, two years and two days after the previous post! :)
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Oh David - I am such a numpty - found this while browsing Ebay and forgot to include the number :-[ 320260997382. Sorry about that.
Regards Hil
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Not a problem Hil - done it myself in the past! I've asked the seller if they wouldn't mind sending photographs, so when I get round to publishing the addendum to Chance Expressions, hopefully I can tie up this particular link. Still nothing much on Spiegelunion Flabeg though... :huh: