Topic: FBS mark (French, Scottish, Italian & Czech glass) ... Solved - See Post 88

[Frank]

Not discussed here since the new board but I have recently come across two more examples of the FBS mark.

[NIGEL - I think you mentioned a French one some time ago, was it etched or engraved?]

The FBS mark first came to light on Monart Glass where it only appears occasionally and only when the piece has the etched Monart export mark too. Monart version:
http://www.ysartglass.com/BaseLabel/Labelimage/MonSignplusBFS.jpg Monart was only sold to retailers in the US so it will not be a wholesaler.

I have also been told of a piece of Italian glass with a paper label bearing the FBS logo, the label also said Italy and had more that was not legible.

Now it has appeared on another French piece engraved.

http://www.ysartglass.com/forum/FBSfrance2.jpg

This is probably a US importer/retailer... but who?

[Laura Friedman]

The Italians will drive you crazy.

There is an FTB label, used by Barovier e Toso (then called Ferro Toso Barovier) between 1935 and 1942.  See the green label in the middle of this photo:
http://www.planetglass.net/images/longnautilus9.JPG

More likely, however, the label you have heard of with a Barovier Seguso Ferro (BSF) label. I don't have a photo to show as an example, but they look similar to what you posted. 

Laura

[Laura Friedman]

By the way, the order of the Barovier Seguso Ferro label could have been changed to something like ""BFS", making it very likely the one you have heard of.

Laura

[Frank]

Hi Laura,

The Italian label was identical to the other FBS marks, I misplaced the image though. Have been hunting this one for years and everything points to it being a US/Canada origin. In most cases it included the country of origin alongside the mark, there is a slight chance that the Y shape is actually a Y.

The only consistency is that the method of applying seems consistent, Moncrieff was always acid etched and another French example was reported to me matching the one shown above. That implies that the mark was requested as part of the order.

Most of the Monart examples, at least a dozen reported, have turned up in the US and the mark was always been on pieces with the export mark as above. Export marked Monart has also been found in Canada, New Zealand and Australia.

[Laura Friedman]

The italian label must have been Barovier Seguso Ferro.  I've seen it and it looks just like what you posted (with the Y divider in the middle).

Laura

[glasswizard]

Frank states that Monart was sold only to retailers. Not in glass but I have seen several pieces of China marked with a retailers name. I have seen Haviland marked "Marshall Fields, Chicago Haviland france. Some of these marks can get wordy. "Made for So and So The city name and then Company name and country of origin. I lean toward a Retailer, but the question remains which one. Terry

[Frank]

What we do know is that they operated at least 'somwhere' between 1925 and 1960 and they no longer exist.

Most such marked pieces are found in the USA or Canada. In the case of Monart always found with Moncrieff export markings. Collectors have re-imported to Europe.

They imported from at least UK, France, Italy and Bohemia.

They imported quality decorative glass and ceramics.

Makers used different methods to apply the marks; etched, engraved or labelled. Slight variations in design are seen but the letters are always in the same orientation in a Y shape within a circle.

It is likely that the mark was registered in the US or Canada as a trade mark. It should appear in trade directories etc.

The likelihood of it being an 'official' body is unlikely as this would make the mark more common. I have always asked US sellers if they can throw any light on its origin.

There is a coincidence with the initials of Barovier Seguso Ferro and a similar label has been reported (above)

[Glasshound]

I have an Art Deco period decanter that has a FBS label on it from Estonia...

Blair

[Frank]

Can you post a picture of the label please.

[Frank]

Another example, does anyone know where the glass is from.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7417614339