Topic: Pressed glass steam train candy jars

[neilh]

Hi folks,

I am chatting to the Manchester Art Gallery at the moment about a clear pressed glass two part moulded steam train. It was given to them by an elderly gent who himself received it as a gift from an Ancoats factory glass worker in the late 1920s. The train engine is hollow and has a metal plate on the back which slides up. The plate is enamelled with an illustration of the drivers cab. Looking around on the internet there are various examples of similar models and they all seem to be identified as American candy jars.

We would very much like to believe it was a piece of Ancoats glass, but the model of the train looks American - it has one of those distinctive snowplough type wedges on the front of the train, more typical of American models.

Before we give up on this being a Manchester piece, I wondered if anyone had seen one of these and had reason to believe it was made in the UK?

[neilh]

Aha!

Answered my own question thanks to the excellent search facility here. It's a 1923 piece by the Westmoreland company. Image here if anyone is interested:
http://www.candycontainer.org/images/e_a_495_Loc_Brainards.jpg

The Art Gallery will be disappointed... but how did an Ancoats glass worker get hold of one...?

[Lustrousstone]

Probably during a visit from somebody from Westmoreland or someone representing Westmoreland. 1920s Westmoreland glass is is be found in the UK and exchange of ideas and workers not unknown.