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Glass Discussion & Research. NO IDENTIFICATION REQUESTS here please. => British & Irish Glass => Topic started by: Paul S. on May 26, 2012, 06:26:51 PM

Title: Bagley uranium 'Bamboo' vase (with frog).
Post by: Paul S. on May 26, 2012, 06:26:51 PM
Just thought I'd share this purchase from this morning - I'm assuming it's the larger version at 8", although the book doesn't state what the smaller size is (about 4"/5" I'd guess).    Frosted uranium and complete with the flower support :)   Not sure whether this comes in green, and uranium, or if the green is always uranium.       Made from something like the mid 1930's to mid 1950's  -  although suspect this one comes from nearer the front end of this period.       Anyone know when Bagley ceased using uranium in their glass?
Title: Re: Bagley uranium 'Bamboo' vase (with frog).
Post by: Jayne on June 15, 2012, 01:48:48 PM
According to this article Paul,  http://www.wakefield.gov.uk/CultureAndLeisure/Castlesandmuseums/Museumsonline/Bagleys_Glass.htm

"It is interesting to note that with the discovery of the atomic bomb at the end of the war the Government confiscated some three tons of uranium rich material which had been regularly used throughout to give a yellow tint to green glass."

So around 1945 if that article is accurate.
Title: Re: Bagley uranium 'Bamboo' vase (with frog).
Post by: Paul S. on June 15, 2012, 02:44:58 PM
Hi Jayne  -  thanks very much, although I have to admit to some embarrassment, as I've just looked through the 'Bagley Glass' book, and now seen the short paragraph that provides the answer to my original question.     The book states that "about 1946 the government confiscated Bagley's stocks of uranium-enriched glass ingredients (several tons).   Bagley's glass made after this date does not contain uranium, so does not fluoresce under u.v. light etc. etc."         Just goes to show that we should read out books properly  -  and if you have the book, it's on page 20.
Obviously, governments at that date were just realizing the value and potential of uranium, so I guess wanted to make sure it all belonged to them - although I had always assumed that the u. of which we speak was the 'spent' sort, and did not qualify for weapons grade??
However, enjoyed reading the article, and my thanks for doing the research for me.      My vase has a satinized finish both inside and out, so assume the process was acide rather than sand blasting.           Do I assume you do not have a copy of the book in question??
Title: Re: Bagley uranium 'Bamboo' vase (with frog).
Post by: Lustrousstone on June 15, 2012, 05:19:46 PM
It was probably later because the Carnival pattern wasn't registered until November 1946 and there is loads of marked uranium in this pattern about.
Title: Re: Bagley uranium 'Bamboo' vase (with frog).
Post by: Jayne on June 16, 2012, 01:56:24 AM
You're welcome Paul, and no I don't have the Bagley book, in fact I have no glass books whatsoever. :\
Title: Re: Bagley uranium 'Bamboo' vase (with frog).
Post by: Paul S. on June 16, 2012, 10:37:14 AM
Thanks Christine - so maybe the government didn't get it all in '46, and perhaps Bagley held on to a little and continued using it for a while.

Jayne, how does anyone collect glass and not have have a single reference book.  ;) ;) ;) 
Title: Re: Bagley uranium 'Bamboo' vase (with frog).
Post by: Jayne on June 16, 2012, 02:07:50 PM
Well Paul, I've always just bought glass things because I liked them, it's only recently that I've found a deeper need to identify items, and mostly the internet has held the answers for me. Perhaps it's time to invest in a book or two now though. :D
Title: Re: Bagley uranium 'Bamboo' vase (with frog).
Post by: Lustrousstone on June 16, 2012, 04:53:56 PM
Uh oh, that's the start of another collection (I only have about 80)
Title: Re: Bagley uranium 'Bamboo' vase (with frog).
Post by: Paul S. on June 16, 2012, 05:47:49 PM
quite right, and they can become addictive in themselves - I think that the longer you collect, then there's bound to come a time when you'll need some reference source  -  and the Bagley book/CD is an affordable item that does provide good information on that factory - especially for those who have an interest in trinket sets.    I have a similar quantity to Christine, although I believe there are some people here who have them in the hundreds!! :o
Title: Re: Bagley uranium 'Bamboo' vase (with frog).
Post by: Jayne on June 16, 2012, 07:32:29 PM
80!!! Oh my...perhaps I should stick to the net...
Title: Re: Bagley uranium 'Bamboo' vase (with frog).
Post by: Bernard C on June 18, 2012, 08:07:26 AM
Jayne — Miller's Collector's Guides are relatively inexpensive and generally accurate, so are a good starting point.   Ivo Haanstra's Glass fact file a–z (yes, our Ivo) is indispensable and inexpensive.    Other than these I suggest you spend some time at Broadfield House Glass Museum, where you can browse around most of what books and journals are in print.

If you want to buy anything pricey, borrow it from your library first and cuddle it for a couple of weeks.   It might cost you a pound or two for interlibrary loan, but that's better than spending considerably more and regretting it afterwards.    Always remember to check any expensive book for missing pages and plates before you leave the library — for example there is one copy of Ysart Glass in BL's interlibrary loan stock that has pages missing.

Bernard C.  8)
Title: Re: Bagley uranium 'Bamboo' vase (with frog).
Post by: Jayne on June 18, 2012, 10:16:36 AM
Thank you Bernard, your comments are most useful. :)
Title: Re: Bagley uranium 'Bamboo' vase (with frog).
Post by: Paul S. on June 22, 2012, 06:54:50 PM
It may well be that with this recession, libraries are now not so keen to spend money on specialist books - unless of course they already have copies.              Knowing your interest in trinket sets Jayne, you're very welcome to borrow my Bagley book and CD - and you can even cuddle it for a couple of weeks - send me an email if you are interested and I'll pop them in the post to you.         I really don't use the Bagley data that frequently. :)
Don't know where you are in the U.K., but as well as Bernard's mention of Broadfield House  -  the V. & A. in London have a wonderful gallery (most of which I always want to take home with me).     There are also the fairs/exhibitions at Birmingham and Cambridge (both twice each year) - which are marvellous places for being able to get very close to all sorts of glass.              The Miller's guides are good for a general approach to a wide variety of glass, but perhaps spead themselves too thin at times  -  good value for money though.        Currently, there's quite a selection on Abe Books for under £10 - £12 :)
Title: Re: Bagley uranium 'Bamboo' vase (with frog).
Post by: Jayne on June 24, 2012, 12:12:29 AM
That is exceedingly kind of you Paul, yes I would like to take you up on the offer and will send you an email. 

I'm in Surrey so Cambridge Birmingham and London are all pretty easy to access for me. I am certainly thinking of perhaps attending a glass fair some time in the future, and it's useful to know the V&A has lots of glass, my museum trips tend to always lead me the National Gallery which I love, but I will add that one to my to do list! Many thanks for the tips.  :)
Title: Re: Bagley uranium 'Bamboo' vase (with frog).
Post by: Paul S. on June 26, 2012, 12:54:49 PM
hi Jayne  -  hope you have received the package by now  -  did receive your email, and have replied although possibly not received your end. :)
Title: Re: Bagley uranium 'Bamboo' vase (with frog).
Post by: Jayne on June 27, 2012, 12:15:49 AM
Hi Paul, yes all received and I have replied, many many thanks once again! :):):)