Topic: 1850s Pressed Glass with pattern numbers

[neilh]

Along with a fellow collector I have recently noticed a number of pressed pieces which appear to date, from the styling, to the 1850s, and they are also numbered. Illustrated here are a sugar bowl numbered 265 and a tankard numbered 346. I also have a tumbler numbered 330. They are clearly by the same glass works. The quality of the glass and the weight suggest high end pressed glass, and I suspect they were made in the Midlands by a factory that numbered their entire tableware range.

Who could it be?

Has anyone seen any other pieces numbered in this way from the same era?

[Paul S.]

no idea Neil, but seems odd that you are suggesting these have only been noticed in recent times.        Do these items show the sort of wear that you think might be associated with that sort of age?

[neilh]

Hi Paul, the sugar bowl, and the 330 tumbler which I haven't shown, are definitely 1850s designs. Since I posted this I have been talking to a specialist collector of stemware who has another one, a tumbler with 297 stamped on the bottom, same font on the numbering, design again looking of this period. There is potentially another one from this group on eBay at the moment - I would call it late 1850s, might buy it.

[Paul S.]

Hi Neil  -  thanks for the info  -  would still like to know the extent - if any - of wear - I'd have imagined it's potentially extensive for pieces that are the thick end of 170 years old     Just seems remarkable that those of us who have been handling this sort of material for many years seem to be unaware of this No. feature.    Do you know if ebay is the source of all such pieces?   Hope you win the auction is you bid.   

[neilh]

Hi Paul, yes I was happy with the wear on the base, here is the bottom of tumbler 330 which as you can see is a bit bashed up. In addition to these pieces I have found two numbered goblets which are definitely Molineaux Webb - which nobody has picked out before. I believe MW put pattern numbers on what they regarded as their premium tumbler lines, the practice may have died out on moulds later than hmm 1865, 1870 ish.

[Paul S.]

thanks Neil  -  looks bona fide wear  -  let's hope that time and research will unravel the mystery.

[neilh]

I found this old post showing a creamer numbered 324, the font is the same
http://www.glassmessages.com/index.php/topic,60740.0.html

Maybe the style of handle will pin down the manufacturer

[neilh]

Tumbler 330 has shown up in the Sowerby pattern books added to Mike Tomlin's site yesterday, so we must presume all these 1850s numbered pieces are Sowerby, with a surprisingly high lead content.

[neilh]

Found Sowerby salt 311 from the catalogue and again it has 311 stamped on it and a very high lead content. I'm thinking these numbered pieces are from their initial range perhaps? All late 1840s to mid 1850s