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Glass Discussion & Research. NO IDENTIFICATION REQUESTS here please. => USA => Topic started by: uncommonglass on February 27, 2006, 07:51:58 PM

Title: Goofus Glass - Imitation 1900's Bohemian Art Glass?
Post by: uncommonglass on February 27, 2006, 07:51:58 PM
Hi again - I started a topic "Goofus Glass Ruby Candlestick - Vallerysthal?" trying to find an id and confirmation of the maker of my candlestick.  As often happens, one question leads to four or five more.  I thought it best to start a new thread.

I've been looking for the origins of Goofus Glass and it's name.  It seems accepted fact that it is a purely American glass oddity.  Both the glass and the name.  

On the chat board at ebay, there's an interesting discussion on Goofus glass.  One member quotes a Butler Bros. catalogue - a reference in the text of one ad for some Dugan Intaglio in the Mid-Spring 1907 issue. It reads:

"Famous Intaglio ware, an exact reproduction of the very expensive Austrian ware..."  

Any idea just what kind of "Austrian ware" this American company might have been trying to imitate?  I'm trying to imagine the different kinds of glass attributed to early 1900's Bohemian roots, but I can't imagine any that would be similar to Goofus Glass.  So I came here, knowing there are many here quite knowledgeable about European Art Glass.

I'm curious also, is 'goofus' the accepted name used in Europe to describe this glass?  An Aussie friend on another chat board reports that as far as she knows, it's always been called Goofus in Australia.  

Was European glass subjected to the same gaudy painting?
Title: Goofus Glass - Imitation 1900's Bohemian Art Glass?
Post by: Connie on February 27, 2006, 08:52:04 PM
Here is an excellent site on Goofus Glass

http://www.goofus.org/
Title: Goofus Glass - Imitation 1900's Bohemian Art Glass?
Post by: Ivo on February 28, 2006, 07:26:33 AM
There has been no "goofus"production in Europe as far as I know - it is strictly an american affair.  Of course there have been gaudy and shoddy items produced, but nothing as consistently garish as Goofus.
Title: Goofus Glass - Imitation 1900's Bohemian Art Glass?
Post by: uncommonglass on February 28, 2006, 04:44:52 PM
:lol:  :lol: Ivo ~ thank goodness nothing so consistently garish regularly debased good glass in Europe as it was in America!  Many thanks for your input.