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Glass Identification - Post here for all ID requests => Glass => Topic started by: Jay on February 19, 2006, 09:24:53 AM

Title: Street Views of Glassworks
Post by: Jay on February 19, 2006, 09:24:53 AM
Dear all,

I would really like to see a map with dates on it, showing where the (main) factories were, and the dates of their main production. (In an ideal world some examples of the 'stlye' would be even better as a 'first stop' on the trail to identification.

Has somebody already made such a map? (where, etc.) and if not then would honorable readers like to assist ME in making one.

(In the first instance I would start with Italy Bohemia, France, UK-> Northern Europe)

Once this is available it would mean that, given a guess about date and general area of origin it would be easy to see which factories are most likely, and therefore can be checked first when trying to identify.
Title: Factories Overview
Post by: Frank on February 19, 2006, 12:03:03 PM
Such maps are readily available from tourist spots, but generally do not cover older glassworks.

I have one from the 1920s/30s covering Der Bayerische Regierungsbezirk Oberpfalz. But it does not identify factories just has a symbol by those towns with glass-works. Obviously, you cannot tell if they are glassworks or refineries. That is an area rich in glassworks.

You can also get such maps from glass museums and they tend to be a little bit more useful.

Ideally, you should work form the large scale maps as these show the glasswork buildings with 'probably' great accuracy. But then even if you know  where the glassworks were it can still cause confusion.

Here are maps of Perth, Scotland showing some of the glass works that have existed there.

1859 marked in Orange and also showing the location of one built in 1891 http://www.ysartglass.com/Photo/Perth1859.htm

This 1860 large scale map shows another 'Bottle works' just South of the first map http://www.ysartglass.com/Photo/JMbottleworks.htm

Fron the same 1860 map I show the Inkworks where glass was made too.  http://www.ysartglass.com/Photo/JMinkworks.htm

Same map same company but just a glassworks to cope with expansion http://www.ysartglass.com/Photo/JMglassworks.htm

Then a 1913 map with all the glasworks marked http://www.ysartglass.com/Photo/Perth1913.htm note the different position of the southern works. The 1891 works are correctly placed on this map, so the first one needs correcting.

I have yet to ascertain exactly how many glass works existed in Perth at any time.

Now, that points out some of the difficulties. I have maps, somewhere, of other areas - mostly Europe that show locations of glassworks and there is probably a wealth of material that can add to this from all the books published so far on glass.

A practical approach would be start with Ivo's book, probably the most extensive published list of glassworks in the world and against each company determine a map co-ordinate. Using this data, create an overlay  for Google Earth and you then have a good starting point. Ivo book does not include refineries or decorators but they would be of interest too. The other problem will be coping with name changes and glassworks that move from one location to another.

Hopefully, this has not deterred you and you will make a start

 :)
Title: Street Views of Glassworks
Post by: ChrisStewart on March 25, 2009, 12:55:57 PM
Hi,

    You can view the site of Davidson's glassworks with Google Street View.

On Google maps search for Ropery Road and select the one in Gateshead. Switch to Street view and move down to the end of Ropery Road. There you will see a set of green gates and a red brick two storey building. This marks the entrance to the Davidson Teams Glassworks. The red brick building was the main offices for the glassworks built in 1939. In the background is a building with a Ford Parts sign on it. Part of this building belonged to the glassworks. The rest of the buildings have been demolished. The Teams river runs just behind the red brick office building and around the back of the site.

Along side Ropery road was a Rope works (on the left if you are facing the entrance to the Davidson works). When Davidson had their fire in 1860, the workers at the rope works were concerned that the fire would spread to them and destroy the works. Fortunately that did not happen.


Now, wouldn't it be nice to win the lottery and start a Gateshead glass museum here...

Regards

Chris
Title: Re: Davidson Glass Works on Google Street View
Post by: Anne on March 26, 2009, 01:44:10 AM
A nice art deco / 1930s style building which if done up would look good as a museum for sure. Is it totally unoccupied now Chris?
Title: Re: Davidson Glass Works on Google Street View
Post by: ChrisStewart on March 26, 2009, 01:00:52 PM
Hi Anne,

I believe so, although I haven't been up to Gateshead for a couple of years. The last time we visited the site they were trying to lease the building.

Sadly it is in a poor state of repair, although the doors are still the 1939 originals.

Regards

Chris
Title: Re: Davidson Glass Works on Google Street View
Post by: Adam on March 27, 2009, 04:02:37 PM
Well, well!  Thanks for that, Chris.  I was visiting the steel works next door about twenty years ago and looked down on the old office block.  I thought it was being demolished at the time so have never made any attempt to see it since.  My office window is just not visible, ground floor front, left hand end.

It was very much Art Deco, although I had never heard the term when I was there (when was the name coined?).  I had invented the term "Late Odeon Period" for my own use!

I was always a little sad at the money which had been spent on the office when the factory was in desperate need of maintenance.  However, Sowerbys offices were very basic and they were the first to fail!!

I've just Googled East Street (Sowerbys).  I think just off camera to the left is (or was a few years ago) Mecca Bingo.  Sadly, that building and its car park are all that is left of Sowerbys.

Adam D.
Title: Re: Davidson Glass Works on Google Street View
Post by: Adam on March 27, 2009, 07:18:26 PM
I'd forgotten the pan facility.  Pan left anf there is Mecca, nee Sowerbys!!

Adam D.
Title: Re: Davidson Glass Works on Google Street View
Post by: Angela B on March 31, 2009, 09:42:18 PM
Wow, that is so amazing. Presumably there are other glassworks whose factories and offices we could learn a bit about by using Google if the buildings are still there and people can identify them. We'll keep this thread in the archive when it ends.
Title: Re: Davidson Glass Works on Google Street View
Post by: KevinH on March 31, 2009, 10:58:30 PM
Adam D said:
Quote
It was very much Art Deco, although I had never heard the term when I was there (when was the name coined?).

Wikipedia (always right!) gives:
Quote
... the 1925 Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes ... ... The terms Style Moderne and Art Deco both derive from the exposition's title, ... though Art Deco was not widely used until popularized by art historian Bevis Hillier's 1968 book Art Deco of the 20s and 30s.
Title: Street Views of Glassworks
Post by: David E on January 28, 2010, 11:02:39 AM
Further to Chris Stewart's earlier posting about viewing the old Davidson building (http://www.glassmessages.com/index.php/topic,25627.msg141698.html#msg141698) in Google Maps Street View, using the 'Send' feature of Google maps I have retrieved the full URL:

Ropery Rd, Dunston, Wickham and Dunston, Gateshead NE8 2, UK
Link: http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=ropery+road,+gateshead&sll=52.432,-1.950904&sspn=0.010231,0.015235&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Ropery+Rd,+Wickham+and+Dunston,+Gateshead+NE8+2,+United+Kingdom&ll=54.952373,-1.632618&spn=0.002409,0.004361&t=h&z=18&layer=c&cbll=54.952317,-1.632494&panoid=rYAUhzZZ0eLsLHIM7UyLiQ&cbp=12,310.88,,0,4.83

Perhaps this thread can be expanded to include a few more? There is an earlier topic where various glassworks are identified on Google Maps, but not using direct links to Street View. Note that after copying and pasting the URL, you will need to remove the '<' and '>' marks to make the link work on GMB.

Another is the iconic Chance Brothers 7-storey building (currently being converted), as viewed from the M5:

Search results for "spon lane"
Link: http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=spon+lane&sll=54.952318,-1.632494&sspn=0.002421,0.004361&ie=UTF8&hq=spon+lane&hnear=&radius=15000&ll=52.506554,-1.993691&spn=0,359.995639&t=h&z=18&layer=c&cbll=52.506549,-1.993492&panoid=I1FmMVoz2wILL7xAenNOqg&cbp=12,180.24,,0,16.4

A strange one, dating back c.1662! Leith Citadel, the home of Pape's first glassworks in Leith, near Edinburgh (as mentioned in a certain book). Nope, not the large building on the right, but the rather forelorn, cut-down building behind the tree and yellow container! Such care taken for an ancient monument  >:(

Search results for "leith citadel"
Link: http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=leith+citadel&sll=55.976773,-3.175108&sspn=0.001174,0.002181&ie=UTF8&radius=0.04&filter=0&rq=1&ev=p&hq=leith+citadel&hnear=&ll=55.976936,-3.174389&spn=0,359.997819&t=h&z=19&layer=c&cbll=55.976849,-3.174349&panoid=wbBCWTu2rixa6yEDY1pSAQ&cbp=12,290.31,,0,4.67

Any more?
Title: Re: Street Views of Glassworks
Post by: Anne on January 28, 2010, 02:57:02 PM
Good idea David, thanks. :thup:  I've rescued Chris' original topic from Archives and merged it with yours above to keep all the info together. Perhaps we should either sticky this along with the Location of... topic we already have pinned up the top of the forum or merge them together as well?
Title: Re: Street Views of Glassworks
Post by: Adam on January 28, 2010, 05:06:16 PM
Thanks for that, David.  Nostalgia!!  I can now see (just) my (shared) office window.  Claude Frazer's (Governing Director) is the top floor right hand end behind the lamp post.  On a sadder note, I think the works itself is more or less centred on the scrap yard visible by panning left.  As I suggested in an earlier post the Art Deco offices were right at the entrance gates and well separated from where the real work happened!

Adam D.
Title: Re: Street Views of Glassworks
Post by: David E on January 28, 2010, 09:32:03 PM
Good idea Anne.
Glad to help Adam.

I meant to post a link to show what Leith Citadel did look like c.1920, before it was decapitated:
http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/51917/digital_images/edinburgh+leith+dock+street+johnston+street+citadel+arch/

On SC610475 you can just make out the building as seen on the right in the Google street view.
Title: Re: Street Views of Glassworks
Post by: David E on March 06, 2010, 11:01:27 PM
Thought I'd run this past Adam:

Sowerby Ellison?
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?hl=en&gl=uk&ie=UTF8&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=107252480432088031064.000436774851e1015c810&ll=54.963068,-1.60984&spn=0,359.984486&z=16&layer=c&cbll=54.964956,-1.606179&panoid=86L2_w_zL-3jt4crO8A3rQ&cbp=12,240.89,,0,13.46

Sadly, there don't seem to be many more available.
Title: Re: Street Views of Glassworks
Post by: Pinkspoons on May 29, 2010, 10:34:53 AM
Not British, I know, but it does tie in - honest.

Holmegaard's 'F5' bottleworks, built in 1972 and owned by Ardagh Glass since Holmegaard went bust:

'F5' Plant (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Holmegaards+Mose,+Denmark&sll=55.286888,11.822577&sspn=0.023266,0.076818&g=Holmegaards+Mose,+Denmark&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Holmegaards+Mose&ll=55.285989,11.818489&spn=0.002933,0.01369&t=h&z=17&layer=c&cbll=55.286065,11.818305&panoid=QH6J5eu3CRA4-Bhu4Vo9iQ&cbp=12,10.72,,0,-14.47)

I do recommend taking a 'virtual tour' around the building surrounding the works - they're the old cottages built for factory workers to live in, built from the late 1820s onwards. The glassworks, in its heyday, was literally a self-contained village with its own school, bakery, shops and pub.

The system was modelled closely on British industrial villages of the 1800s, and so is a fair reflection of the types of communities we would once have had on our shores (but have since been torn down or lost to the anonymity of the suburban sprawl).
Title: Re: Street Views of Glassworks
Post by: David E on May 29, 2010, 11:06:12 AM
Perhaps the topic can be opened up to include other international sites? Is it worth moving to the general 'Glass' forum?
Title: Re: Street Views of Glassworks
Post by: Anne on May 29, 2010, 12:22:58 PM
I think we should do David, I'll move it over now. :thup:
Title: Re: Street Views of Glassworks
Post by: VSL on July 27, 2010, 08:33:34 PM
I'm surprised all the northern folk have missed out the wonderful Lemington glass works. I remember them as a kid not so long ago but currently home to a Land Rover dealership.
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e51/toontraveller/Glass/LemingtonGlassCone.jpg
Title: Re: Street Views of Glassworks
Post by: sph@ngw on April 16, 2012, 05:04:17 PM
Anne,
Ihave done a map of tehUk showing about 90 20th century glassworks, divinding them into those that have closed completely ( about 80%), those whose name is still kept going but do not manufacture from their original premises, ( eg Royal brierly and Ravenhead), those bought ou, and teh thirteen or so still going.
Alongside we have a list of their dates of operation.
Their is also a book called "The Book of Glass" by Gustav Weiss 1966 pub Verlag Ullstein, Berlin (pub UK in English by Barrie & Jenkins) pub 1971 which shows sebveral maps of glass making areas ( pages 333-335,) showing a map of the US, Belgium, Europe, Ile de France, Bohemia, Thuringia with around 400 glass works located.
Not quite street maps but areas of glass making concentration; the scale is small but it blows up well on my photocpier.
It has a green and gold Bohemia beaker circa 1850 on the cover.
Might this help?
Title: Re: Street Views of Glassworks
Post by: Mike M on June 10, 2012, 10:35:08 PM
I wasn't sure where to post these  - I have a few: -

you might call the collection the state of bohemain glass today

Here is a street view of the Harrach glass works now celebrating their 300 anniversary. Indeed the second picure shows part of the 300 anniversary celebrations in progress.

a great glasshouse and pretty healthy too!

M
Title: Re: Street Views of Glassworks
Post by: Mike M on June 10, 2012, 10:42:59 PM
Here just over the border into Poland -once Silesia

a sad sight the once great glassworks Josephinehutte

M

Title: Re: Street Views of Glassworks
Post by: Mike M on June 10, 2012, 10:47:55 PM
Here is what is left of the great glassworks Loetz

the first picture is the amazing Villa Von Spaun now  flats but once the house of the Loetz family
the second picture is a view though to the out houses behind. The last few standing walls of the once great Loetz Factory.
Title: Re: Street Views of Glassworks
Post by: Mike M on June 10, 2012, 10:49:37 PM
Last for today - but more soon I promise

the great glass works of Moser
still going strong!
Title: Re: Street Views of Glassworks
Post by: Lustrousstone on June 11, 2012, 06:10:58 AM
Thanks for posting those Mike
Title: Re: Street Views of Glassworks
Post by: Mike M on June 11, 2012, 10:44:12 PM
Thanks Lustrousstone

here are two views of the great glass works of Riedel

now this is the old Riedel -in Polaun Czech republic ( it also now exists healthily in Austria making wonderful glasses)

There are many old Riedel buildings over almost a mile the first building(Pic 1) seems derelict but there is life in others see second picture

Title: Re: Street Views of Glassworks
Post by: Mike M on June 11, 2012, 10:45:57 PM
Here is Preciosa

the main produced of glass beads in the Czech republic looking healthy.
Title: Re: Street Views of Glassworks
Post by: Mike M on June 11, 2012, 10:48:12 PM
Now this is Ruckl

Not sure if this is the original Ruckl factory known from the 1900s it is  possibly a latter acquisition.

This one is still fully working and making an cutting hand blown glass.
Title: Re: Street Views of Glassworks
Post by: Mike M on June 11, 2012, 10:54:07 PM
Finally (I think it's finally - I have a lot of photos and may have missed the odd glass works)

We have Stepanek - the front door of a small two brother glass works, making glass in the old style but doing the utmost best to ensure no one passes their work off as old (everything is signed and their pontil marks are very distinctive).

Beautiful stuff

Hopefully the future of Bohemian glass (there are quite a few others like this!)

-oh and yes that is Deb Truitt -(our troupe leader) in the picture!

cheers

hope you like the street views
Title: Re: Street Views of Glassworks
Post by: Anne on June 13, 2012, 01:15:11 AM
Fascinating to see the pics, Mike, thank you so much for sharing them.
Title: Re: Street Views of Glassworks
Post by: luv2collect.com on August 03, 2012, 02:18:34 PM
If anyone is interested in Pilkington Glass UK , here is an in depth look at what remains of there factory from photos we took there last year !

http://www.28dayslater.co.uk/forums/showthread.php/68789-Pilkingtons-Glass-Doncaster-Feb-2012

Cheers
Andrew and Ruth
Title: Re: Street Views of Glassworks
Post by: Anne on August 03, 2012, 10:23:43 PM
Thank you for adding the link to the pics. Fascinating to see, yet sad that it's no longer working.
Title: Re: Street Views of Glassworks
Post by: sph@ngw on May 28, 2013, 03:48:05 PM
Dear all,

I would really like to see a map with dates on it, showing where the (main) factories were, and the dates of their main production. (In an ideal world some examples of the 'stlye' would be even better as a 'first stop' on the trail to identification.

Has somebody already made such a map? (where, etc.) and if not then would honorable readers like to assist ME in making one.

(In the first instance I would start with Italy Bohemia, France, UK-> Northern Europe)

Once this is available it would mean that, given a guess about date and general area of origin it would be easy to see which factories are most likely, and therefore can be checked first when trying to identify.

I don't know abput street views, ( although quite a few Uk ones appear in both The Glass Cone ( Matthew Bolton & Sons is on the Spring 2011) and Glass circkle news.
But waht is interesting is a map of nearly all European glass manufacturing locations!

I found this in a book called"The Book of Glass" by Gustav Weiss published by Barrie and Jenkins in 1971.
Page 333, called "Glasshouse sites" starts in the States starting with Jamestown in 1608, and mentions about 40 East Coast companies, and through to Page 340 it covers Paris ( 27 factories), Bohemia, Thuringia and Franken, Belgium ( though misses Scailemont) Austria, Denmark, Holland, Ireland, in fact every European country. England gets a bit of a short shift though the author mentions "47 English glasshouses making flint glass, circa 1695", and 15 ij bristol in  1722.
 Dr David Watts masterly recent "Glass Making in London", now already being updated, partley fills this in for our capital city.
While not exhaustive, ( Sweden 20th century is missing!), it makes an excellent starting point for someone to update and produce a more complete anthology.
I have traced 87 Uk hand making companies between 1900 and 2000, of which about 12 of us are left. This ignores the small studios and are factories with lehrs and not kilns for annealing.

Title: Re: Davidson Glass Works on Google Street View
Post by: Anne on July 22, 2013, 09:55:55 PM
Hi Anne,

I believe so, although I haven't been up to Gateshead for a couple of years. The last time we visited the site they were trying to lease the building.

Sadly it is in a poor state of repair, although the doors are still the 1939 originals.

Regards

Chris

A check of the old Davidson building shows updated photos on Google street view (dated Sept 2012) which reveal that the Davidson offices are now housing a boxing club, so are no longer sad and derelict!
Title: Re: Street Views of Glassworks
Post by: flyboy90 on October 24, 2014, 04:32:22 PM
The staff at Broadfield did a map of all the glassworks in the Stourbridge Area with individual histories, Steve Williams 01384 812745 is a good contact.
Title: Re: Street Views of Glassworks
Post by: sph@ngw on March 07, 2021, 03:40:35 PM
Dear all,

I would really like to see a map with dates on it, showing where the (main) factories were, and the dates of their main production. (In an ideal world some examples of the 'stlye' would be even better as a 'first stop' on the trail to identification.

Has somebody already made such a map? (where, etc.) and if not then would honorable readers like to assist ME in making one.

(In the first instance I would start with Italy Bohemia, France, UK-> Northern Europe)

Once this is available it would mean that, given a guess about date and general area of origin it would be easy to see which factories are most likely, and therefore can be checked first when trying to identify.
Hi Jay,
I have done one in 2008 for our 20th Century  British Domestic Glass museum, but it is limited to the 20th century, and the UK.
I am sure there are some i've missed and would like all comments, corrections, and additions.
As the Museum is closed during lockdown 3 (is it?), it would b a god project to do.
I also have one old map of London glass works before 1700, I'l try to post.