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Glass Discussion & Research. NO IDENTIFICATION REQUESTS here please. => British & Irish Glass => Topic started by: Anne E.B. on August 01, 2005, 01:01:11 PM

Title: Old amber pressed glass lemonade jug & glasses. ID = Sowerby 2550 water set
Post by: Anne E.B. on August 01, 2005, 01:01:11 PM
Just returned from Falmouth in Cornwall where I bought this lovely lemonade(?) set.  Normally I avoid amber glass :x   like the plague, but couldn't resist buying this set, plus another piece of amber glass.  It must have been all those pasties and pints of Doom Bar!!! :roll:

I was told by the seller that it was a wedding present to her husband's grandmother when she married.  The seller was about 60-ish, and working back maybe 20 years for each generation, I reckon it could be 80/90 years old or thereabouts. (might even be older?)   It seems such a shame to sell something with such a family connection, but I guess needs must...

I am not sure how to describe it, but the cut-glass jug which is 7" high, has a swag type pattern with a pedestal(?) star cut  base.  The top is fluted.  Looking in my Lyle Pocket Guide, I would guess it is neo-classical design but perhaps someone can confirm.

Its always great to have a little personal history attached to pieces of glass, but can anyone help date the set.  I am only guessing that it is for lemonade.  Could it have been made by Webb or one of the other English glass makers?  Falmouth has a long seafaring history, so there is always the possibility that it was brought home from overseas.

Many thanks - Anne E.B. :lol:

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y195/glassie/7699ec48.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y195/glassie/a3572524.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y195/glassie/falmouthglass003.jpg
Title: Old amber cut-glass lemonade jug and glasses. ? Victorian
Post by: Ivo on August 01, 2005, 01:57:41 PM
I am sure you will get a more precise answer from someone better versed in  pressed glass, but at the drop of a hat I would say 1930s.
Title: Old amber cut-glass lemonade jug and glasses. ? Victorian
Post by: Glen on August 01, 2005, 02:07:15 PM
It's a Sowerby item. It's their number 2550 water set. From their advertising, I can tell you the set came boxed.

Glen

edited to add date - circa late 1930s (possibly 1935 or 1936)
Title: Old amber cut-glass lemonade jug and glasses. ? Victorian
Post by: Anne E.B. on August 01, 2005, 03:06:52 PM
Many thanks Ivo and Glen for your help.  Much appreciated.
Regards -  :) Anne E.B.
Title: Old amber cut-glass lemonade jug and glasses. ? Victorian
Post by: Glen on August 01, 2005, 03:54:31 PM
Anne, if you have a moment, could you contact me through my website?

Many thanks.

Glen
Title: Old amber cut-glass lemonade jug and glasses. ? Victorian
Post by: Tony H on August 01, 2005, 08:18:44 PM
Hi Anne and Glen
What a surprise to see this water set is made by Sowerby, here in NZ it quite often seen, but mostly jug only in green blue and clear, with all kinds of names eg "DEPRESSION GLASS" and a price that would make your hair curl.

Thanks to both of you, great photos.

Tony H
Title: Old amber cut-glass lemonade jug and glasses. ? Victorian
Post by: Glen on August 01, 2005, 08:30:30 PM
I have the jug, Tony, in a limey vaseline green that glows wonderfully under black light.

I think Anne's deep amber set is beautiful.

I should have added earlier that the set was advertised "with or without gold rim".

Glen
Title: Sowerby jug fest!!!
Post by: Anne E.B. on August 09, 2005, 06:56:36 PM
Quote from: "Glen"
I have the jug, Tony, in a limey vaseline green that glows wonderfully under black light.
Glen


I just had to show these three beauties I bought on Sunday.  I wasn't particularly looking for them, but there they were, so I couldn't resist adding them to my recently acquired complete amber set :roll:   The green jug has three matching glasses.  I tried it out under a U.V. light and it glowed just as Glen said.  I'm not sure how to describe the clear one - it has a slight yellowish tint to it.

What I did find strange was the difference in size, which is very noticeable when they are  placed next to each other.  The amber is the shortest, but has the widest diameter opening of 5.5".  The green is the tallest but has the smallest diameter opening of 4.75", and the clear is about midway between the two in height, with a diameter of 5".   All hold a pint up to the top line.  I can only assume that the size of moulds varied slightly.

No more jugs for a while methinks! :lol:
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y195/glassie/nazeing015.jpg
Title: Old amber cut-glass lemonade jug and glasses. ? Victorian
Post by: Glen on August 09, 2005, 06:58:58 PM
Excellent Anne. Thanks for sharing that lovely photograph.

Glen
Title: Old amber cut-glass lemonade jug and glasses. ? Victorian
Post by: Adam on August 10, 2005, 01:25:38 PM
Anne - Although this pattern ran for many years it would probably use the original mould set throughout.  The size might increase very slightly (fraction of an inch) over time due to the mould set having to be re-cut due to wear and/or damage.  A careful comparison of the feet ends would show whether or not this had happened.

The difference which you note is due to the hand-finishing of the top, both for fire-polishing and to form the lip.  As appearance was the only criterion (i.e. no lid or metal fitting to go on the top) the "melter" (the guy who did this) would not use any form of gauge, which would have been necessary if constant diameter had been important.

Adam D.
Title: Old amber cut-glass lemonade jug and glasses. ? Victorian
Post by: Anne E.B. on August 10, 2005, 05:45:41 PM
Quote from: "Adam"

The difference which you note is due to the hand-finishing of the top, both for fire-polishing and to form the lip.  As appearance was the only criterion (i.e. no lid or metal fitting to go on the top) the "melter" (the guy who did this) would not use any form of gauge, which would have been necessary if constant diameter had been important.

Adam D.


Thanks for that interesting information Adam.   A case of "rule of thumb" I guess.  

Regards - Anne E.B. :D
Title: Old amber cut-glass lemonade jug and glasses. ? Victorian
Post by: Cathy b incognito on August 10, 2005, 11:33:54 PM
Hi Anne: Just a technical point - it's not cut glass, it's press-moulded.

Tony: I have a theory about why any old press moulded glass gets labeled "depression glass" in Australia and New Zealand. Firstly, Crown Crystal was making patterns which looked like EAPG and European glass in the depression, so we call EAPG and European glass "depression glass" because it looks a bit like "our" depression glass. Secondly, we're so much further behind with research!

Cheers,
Cathy.
Title: Old amber cut-glass lemonade jug and glasses. ? Victorian
Post by: Tony H on August 11, 2005, 08:56:18 AM
Hi Cathy
Thank you for your reply, that can explain a lot!!

Tony H