Topic: Davidson Glass Co questions...

[WMB]

I recently found two Davidson purple slag tumblers to add to the wife's tumbler collection. Both have the lion trademark. Since we don't find much English glass in South Texas, we are trying to find a bit of history on these pieces. My questions are two fold:

Were tumblers in purple slag reproduced during the 1960's?

If the above is "yes", were they marked with the lion trademark?

If number two is "yes", is there a way to distinguish between the old and the newer? I suppose that is a three part question.

Any help, or guidance, would be most appreciated!

[Bernard C]

WMB — A difficult subject, on which there has been little authoritative research published.

Were tumblers in purple slag reproduced during the 1960's?

Probably.   Davidson certainly introduced their MARBLE glassware in 1964 (known to some collectors as LAVA), using old moulds.

Would they have been marked with a lion trademark?

Yes.

If number two is "yes", is there a way to distinguish between the old and the newer?

Sometimes.   If the old mould carried an original Davidson TM, then differentiating comes down to analysing the glass used, so is effectively impractical at the current state of knowledge.

However Davidson introduced two sizes of new Davidson TM mould punches.   These were very similar to the old TM punch, but, in my opinion, have a slight hint of Prince of Wales Investiture Welsh dragon about them.    These will be easy to identify as those appearing on post-1930 Davidson and Jobling moulds must be from the 1964 Davidson TM punches.

Unfortunately no-one has yet researched and published this nicely bounded project.

See Stewart & Stewart, Davidson Glass, for what is currently published on this subject.   This book is obtainable from Broadfield House Glass Museum.

Bernard C. 

[WMB]

Bernard...Thanks a bunch!

However, if a translation of the following could be had:   "These were very similar to the old TM punch, but, in my opinion, have a slight hint of Prince of Wales Investiture Welsh dragon about them."   We un-washed colonials have a bit of trouble with the mother tongue from time to time.

Thanks, again.

[Lustrousstone]

The Davidson book is also available here and more info on Davidson here

[Bernard C]

Christine — Thanks.   I had not realised that the Stewarts would accept credit / debit card payment, making life so much easier for overseas buyers.

WMB — I am not sure that there were two 1964 TM punches — there may have been just one.   All my observations were from memory.   Stewart & Stewart indicates that one of the 1964 TM punches was engraved in reverse;  an understandable error, as moulds are cut in reverse.   So the TM from this punch shows the lion facing right.   I am certain that the 1964 TM I saw on a MARBLE Jobling 2598 Ash Tray (alongside the Jobling 1935 registration number — one of several unique features of this remarkable piece) was significantly smaller than the Victorian TM, but, at the time, about a decade ago, I did not notice whether it was reversed or not.

My comment about the dragon was intended to convey that the 1964 TM gave me the impression of being a little spikier than the Victorian TM, as though a retro dragon had been one of its ancestors.

Bernard C. 

[WMB]

My thanks, again! The above should get me started in the correct direction. If nothing else, I will add a couple of new books to the library.

Best regards,
WMB