Topic: Fabulous and unusual modernist frigger - from Chance!

[David E]

I have no doubt it is a frigger and made by a shop floor worker who will probably never be identified, unless Ray Drury (chief engineer) can advise. It was acquired by the Chance employee (a test engineer) at the time and the practice of making 'foreigners' was a well known, but overlooked practice at Chance.

The suggestion that it was a test piece is highy unlikely. As an industrial producer, Chance's core business was mass-production of rolled-plate flat glass, but also lighting globes, laboratory glass, TV tubes and optics. This type of item really would not have been pertinent. The globes used opal glass, so I imagine it would have derived from the blowing department.

Finally, I have passed the swan photos to Frank for their incarceration into the Glass Zoo

[Patrick]

Hi David, I love finding pieces like this and the fact that someone cherishes them, it must feel quite tactile .
The question about value could also apply to this very different piece of glass made at Whitefriars that I too was lucky enough to photograph. It is owned by an ex manager who found it one morning at the end of the lehr. It is about 4" long and has controlled bubbles in the body.
Value ?
 Regards Patrick. 

[johnphilip]

Hi Pat did they find the blower when he came out of rehab.

[David E]

Hi Patrick,

Like the pendant, which I am now fortunate to own (just picked it up!), it really cannot be valued properly and is entirely a "wet finger in the air", IMHO! The pendant has figures ranging from £30 (as an item to resell) to over one hundred as a keepsake.

But what a delightful piece and I know exactly what you mean about these individual items being cherised as a one-off. Great story as well - I imagine it was a 'foreigner' that someone intended to retrieve from the annealing lehr but forgot

Back to the pendant: I'm not even sure this is annealed, so I am treating it with caution but I may be taking it down to Dulwich, 27th April, if anyone wishes to see it.

The most curious 'end of day' piece I know of actually features in my book – the last piece of glass ever produced by Chance – I suppose it really should be called 'end-of-factory' or 'end-of-the-line' – very poignant... 

[aa]

Hi Patrick,
Like the pendant, which I am now fortunate to own (just picked it up!),

Well done! Not that you are likely to want to sell it, but.....
.....it has probably at least doubled in value since you got it, since it now has the provenance "David P Encill Collection" !!


Incidentally, why is your name as the author not on this page advertising the book? http://www.chanceglass.net/pages/index.html ?

[Patrick]

Hi again David,
I have just spent an enjoyable time looking at your site and found the ' last piece '
 In the ' Memories ' section I noted this comment by Janet Evans. Quote: " I also have a christmas tree ornament made at CHANCES for my 1 st christmas in 1947.There were 12 but were so delicate I,m down to 2 now. "
 Do you have any pics. of the Christmas Decorations made by Chance ?
 Regards Patrick.

[David E]

Hi Patrick: www.chancesglass.net (Chance Encounters) isn't actually my site - I do link to it from www.chanceglass.net, but I had forgotten the 'last piece of glass' was listed there as well!

For anyone who hasn't seen it, GO HERE and look for the funny amber shaped piece of glass.

But I wasn't aware of the Christmas ornament and would love to see a photo! I must try and get in touch with this lady... I imagine these were friggers again

[Patrick]

Hi, Oh Dear we may be into seeing these on Ebay listed as " Very rare CHANCE CHRISTMAS TREE DECORATIONS "
 Patrick.

[David E]

Incidentally, why is your name as the author not on this page advertising the book? http://www.chanceglass.net/pages/index.html ?

I'm not one for blowing my own trumpet - the book is the important factor, not me.

[David E]

Attached are three more photos to give an impression of its size.

Called 'doing a Max' when your hand is left in situ