Glass Identification - Post here for all ID requests > Glass

Street Views of Glassworks

(1/7) > >>

Jay:
Dear all,

I would really like to see a map with dates on it, showing where the (main) factories were, and the dates of their main production. (In an ideal world some examples of the 'stlye' would be even better as a 'first stop' on the trail to identification.

Has somebody already made such a map? (where, etc.) and if not then would honorable readers like to assist ME in making one.

(In the first instance I would start with Italy Bohemia, France, UK-> Northern Europe)

Once this is available it would mean that, given a guess about date and general area of origin it would be easy to see which factories are most likely, and therefore can be checked first when trying to identify.

Frank:
Such maps are readily available from tourist spots, but generally do not cover older glassworks.

I have one from the 1920s/30s covering Der Bayerische Regierungsbezirk Oberpfalz. But it does not identify factories just has a symbol by those towns with glass-works. Obviously, you cannot tell if they are glassworks or refineries. That is an area rich in glassworks.

You can also get such maps from glass museums and they tend to be a little bit more useful.

Ideally, you should work form the large scale maps as these show the glasswork buildings with 'probably' great accuracy. But then even if you know  where the glassworks were it can still cause confusion.

Here are maps of Perth, Scotland showing some of the glass works that have existed there.

1859 marked in Orange and also showing the location of one built in 1891 http://www.ysartglass.com/Photo/Perth1859.htm

This 1860 large scale map shows another 'Bottle works' just South of the first map http://www.ysartglass.com/Photo/JMbottleworks.htm

Fron the same 1860 map I show the Inkworks where glass was made too.  http://www.ysartglass.com/Photo/JMinkworks.htm

Same map same company but just a glassworks to cope with expansion http://www.ysartglass.com/Photo/JMglassworks.htm

Then a 1913 map with all the glasworks marked http://www.ysartglass.com/Photo/Perth1913.htm note the different position of the southern works. The 1891 works are correctly placed on this map, so the first one needs correcting.

I have yet to ascertain exactly how many glass works existed in Perth at any time.

Now, that points out some of the difficulties. I have maps, somewhere, of other areas - mostly Europe that show locations of glassworks and there is probably a wealth of material that can add to this from all the books published so far on glass.

A practical approach would be start with Ivo's book, probably the most extensive published list of glassworks in the world and against each company determine a map co-ordinate. Using this data, create an overlay  for Google Earth and you then have a good starting point. Ivo book does not include refineries or decorators but they would be of interest too. The other problem will be coping with name changes and glassworks that move from one location to another.

Hopefully, this has not deterred you and you will make a start

 :)

ChrisStewart:
Hi,

    You can view the site of Davidson's glassworks with Google Street View.

On Google maps search for Ropery Road and select the one in Gateshead. Switch to Street view and move down to the end of Ropery Road. There you will see a set of green gates and a red brick two storey building. This marks the entrance to the Davidson Teams Glassworks. The red brick building was the main offices for the glassworks built in 1939. In the background is a building with a Ford Parts sign on it. Part of this building belonged to the glassworks. The rest of the buildings have been demolished. The Teams river runs just behind the red brick office building and around the back of the site.

Along side Ropery road was a Rope works (on the left if you are facing the entrance to the Davidson works). When Davidson had their fire in 1860, the workers at the rope works were concerned that the fire would spread to them and destroy the works. Fortunately that did not happen.


Now, wouldn't it be nice to win the lottery and start a Gateshead glass museum here...

Regards

Chris

Anne:
A nice art deco / 1930s style building which if done up would look good as a museum for sure. Is it totally unoccupied now Chris?

ChrisStewart:
Hi Anne,

I believe so, although I haven't been up to Gateshead for a couple of years. The last time we visited the site they were trying to lease the building.

Sadly it is in a poor state of repair, although the doors are still the 1939 originals.

Regards

Chris

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page