Topic: Sabino ashtray history

[Mosquito]

I see now, looking at the photo yes one has the top surface of the rests flatted and polished while the other doesn't. I'd still say this is normal variation and the unpolished one is definitely not from the trash! Remember these were likely in production for several years and could have been finished by different teams or for different customers. While Sabino isn't my main area of interest, I've handled quite a lot as I used to deal in 30s pressed glass. As I said before, the older pieces are very variable in finish. If you can find his contact details, Philippe Decelle is the man to ask about Sabino, he compiled the catalogue Raisonne and also the book Opalescence Le Verre Moule des Annees 1920-30.

What an awful response from Sabino Art Glass! I had a rather brusque reply from them when enquiring about buying, but nothing as rude as that. I've never done business with them as I disliked their attitude then and I can see it hasn't changed since...

Sue, regarding your butterfly, if you post a photo of the mark I may be able to tell if it's older or newer. The mark on more recent production often is constructed of broader strokes as the engraving tool has a greater tip diameter. Older Sabino has a variety of marks; I've seen etched, moulded, diamond point incised and engraved.

I love opalescent glass too. I used to have a very big collection, mainly Jobling, Barolac and Verlys. I've since downsized a great deal but still have a lot of Jobling and have kept my favourite Barolac & Verlys pieces and one or two bits of Sabino including a rare paperweight made for the French shipbuilder Augustin Normand and a very unusual and unmarked blue cased opalescent vase coquilles.

[chopin-liszt]

I've compared my mark with the image in Ivo's "Glass Fact File a-z", Mosquito, and I'd say mine was definitely made with the broader thing. I bought it in the big antiquey place in Amsterdam, from one of the more expensive shops rather than the stands, and I think I overpaid a fair bit. I have always suspected it was "new". It was a long time ago I bought it - I knew a lot less about glass then (and since I learned a bit more, all I've really discovered is how much I don't know!)
The light is dreadful here for pics - may try tomorrow. Thanks!

[kane_u_pain]

LOL at that letter. Great communication skills. Lovely ashtrays though...

[tortentaumel]

Well, the communication went worse and i kept on trying to tell them that i own another one of these lovely ashtrays which certainly passed the quality control. I don't know what is wrong with those guys from Sabino america. They seem to be totally disinterested in collectors.

[chopin-liszt]

They are - they want you to buy new stuff, not the old stuff, so they want to discourage that market.

But I still can't understand their dreadful bad manners - can't help sniggering at them saying they were courteous enough to do digging around for you and for replying!
What digging around?
What courtesy?
Just ignore them, you'll get far more help and enthusiasm from other collectors.
I'm afraid I don't know where you would find more ashtrays, though.

[tortentaumel]

Thanks Sue. Do i get you right, that you contacted them?

[tortentaumel]

They even got me that far that i lost my manner and told them out.
i said: If you hadn't bought the original molds from Sabino when you took over the company you would probably produce
figurines of Mickey mouse and Dolly Parton today.
Shame on me.

[dirk.]

As I tend to visualize, what I read or hear, I´ve now got an image of an opalescent Dolly Parton
figur in my mind. Thanks, Thorsten!  :24:
BTW I think it was an adequate reply.

[chopin-liszt]

I have not been in contact with them, no.
But I am aware that this can be the attitude taken.
Now I'm stuck with an image of an opalescent DP - I get strange images appearing in my brain too!

[tortentaumel]

DP figurines would fit the us market. They like artificial things.