Topic: thumbprint ale engraved 'Philadelphia Hylands'.

[Paul S.]

Had this ale glass for a year or two but decided I couldn't read the engraving - it looked difficult to decipher so put it away each time.
Fairly typical of cut thumbprint ales of 1860 - 1880 and the flowery script matches the period  -  about 7" (180 m/m) tall - good quality ground/polished depression under the foot  -  wear to the very out edge of the foot  -  probably soda glass as no ring when flicked.
Then suddenly the penny dropped and the words appeared easy to see and obvious....Philadelphia Hylands  -  not remotely what I would have expected to see.

None the wiser though.............    not sure what it means  -  someone's name  -  name of a hotel.
Different from the usual U.K. cut ale insofar as the printies are oval, and the large slice cut panels would not normally be seen on British pieces  -  might it be from the States?

Grateful for all thoughts and comments, and thanks for looking.

[Ohio]

Could be from Philly & just shooting from the hip I'd say its a specific brew or maybe was a brewery back then. It was absolutely typical of how we did local brew marketing, put it on the glass.

[Paul S.]

thanks Ken...   I'll be patient a little longer and maybe someone else will have some more thoughts along the lines you have mentioned  -  looks like your ideas are heading in the right direction