Hey, Daniel! Loved, loved, loved your latest post! Your quote from the Wellsburg Chamber of Commerce sent me on a search for the historic glass industry of Wellsburg, county seat of Brooke County, WV. And what I found is awesome info about Riverside Glass Works quoted from The Wheeling Daily Intelligencer, Sept. 14, 1886 (Special Natural Gas edition). Riverside incorporated in Wellsburg in 1879, merged with National Glass in 1899 and ended production in 1907. According to a web article about the early glass houses of Brooke County, their molds were then sold to the Cambridge Glass Company of Cambridge, OH.
Becky Lyle and Hall Hooper write that when an original Riverside Glass Works catalog was found a few years ago a ‘mystery’ pattern was identified – “Jersey Lily Ware“, named after the popular actress Lily Langtry. This pattern has been known in the glass trade as “Center Medallion”. Becky admits that she cares for her own Riverside Glass as though she would a small child. Check out her collection!
John and Kathleen Sabala contribute to the Riverside Glass Works discussion by posting excellent information about Riverside’s kerosene lamp clinch-on collar patent, along with exceptionally detailed photos.
Amazon currently has one book title available Riverside Glass Works of Wellsburg, West Virginia 1879-1907. Ebay has this title listed along with a very few pieces of Riverside glass.
And so, for me at least, a new territory of early glass history has been revealed. It is certain that there will be more This Old Paper and glassware connections in the future . . .
4 responses so far ↓
1 Brenda Barron // Aug 10, 2009 at 8:06 pm
I have a collection of frosted cabbage leaf with the four
rabbits pattern. I’m curious about the the value of it:
A large pitcher, a sugar and creamer with spoon holder
two compotes with rabbit pattern lids, one medium size
and one larger, 14 goblets, 7 white and 7 amber or honey in color, two small plates and 14 coaster or finger bowls and a very small lamp, missing the chimney, which I would like to replace. If anyone is familiar with this pattern, please email me. Thank you.
2 Susan E // Aug 12, 2009 at 3:48 am
I’ve had tons of fun researching this Riverside Cabbage Leaf pattern – there is lots to learn! Here is a striking photo:
http://www.cowanauctions.com/past_sales_view_item.asp?itemid=51766 Brenda, please keep us updated on what you find as well. Glassware photos are welcome here!
3 Karen // Aug 31, 2009 at 10:13 pm
I have a butter dish, creamer, sugar, and spooner of Amethyst Croesus made by Riverside Glass Works in 1897. Can anyone tell me what the value might be, and if I should choose to part with it – where I might sell it?
4 Susan E // Sep 8, 2009 at 5:16 am
Hi, Karen!
One of the best ways of knowing the value of an item is to check the completed listings on Ebay. Several pieces of Croesus have sold recently: http://completed.shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=croesus&_in_kw=1&_ex_kw=&_sacat=870&_okw=croesus&_oexkw=&LH_Complete=1&_udlo=&_udhi=&_samilow=&_samihi=&_sadis=200&_fpos=Zip+code&_fsct=&LH_SALE_CURRENCY=0&_sop=12&_dmd=1&_ipg=50&_rdc=1
Also, keep track of current Ebay listings of Croesus: http://pottery-glass.shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=Croesus&_sacat=870&_trksid=p3286.m270.l1313&_odkw=Croesus&_osacat=0
Southwest Spirit Antiques reports selling a 10-piece set of amethyst Croesus for $1075.00 last May: http://southwestspiritantiques.com/dynapage/IP531.htm
Hope this helps!
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