Bristol Glass and most other types of antiques can be given as gifts if you know the gift recipient really well.
Since an antique is often one-of-a-kind, your gift will be received as being a special, well-thought out special gift. In many situations, a present of glass or an antique can be perfect as a romantic gift idea for a special someone.
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Libbey Glass History
Libby glass is known to homeowners, those in the hospitality industry, and collectors all over the world. Whether you need a durable and attractive set of tumblers for your kitchen, a style that will grace a restaurant that seats four hundred, or a Tom Collins glass decorated with carousel horses to fill out a vintage set inherited from your grandmother, you may be about to buy something made by this well-known name, now the world’s second largest manufacturer.
William L. Libbey bought a Cambridge, Massachusetts, glass works in 1878 and ten years later the family moved its operation to Toledo, where the sand was first quality and there were ample supplies of natural gas to fire its furnaces. The new location also had both railroads and steamships for transportation of raw materials and finished products such as water pitchers.
By 1893, Libbey patterns were winning world renown at the World Fair, or Exposition, held at Chicago. ‘Columbia’ and Isabella’ took the top awards in this event’s international competition. The family saw its glassware at the White House, the court of King Edward VII, the mansions of fabulously wealthy industrial tycoons, and the palaces of many world leaders.
In 1893 the world fair, called the World’s Columbian Exposition, was held in Chicago. Although there were exhibits from all the prominent producers in the world, Libbey’s patterns of Columbia and Isabella took the top honors. This name brand was ordered by industrial tycoons, the White House, England’s King Edward VII, and the presidents of many countries.
Collectors prize the early examples of hand-made cut glass, a practice that declined with the turn of the century. After going to mass produced patterns, although many were still hand painted, the company abandoned all handmade items after World War II. It has kept its market dominance, now being the world’s second largest producer of glassware for both private homes and public establishments, home decor, and kitchenware. It distributes its products through many retail and wholesale outlets all over the world, and has manufacturing plants in many countries.
The history of the business side of this giant company is almost as interesting as the products it makes, as it has been acquired once and has assimilated many other companies, as well as their markets. It has maintained its prominence by superior innovation and technology, high quality, and excellent customer service. You can check online to find a lot of information on the company, the products it makes, and the career opportunities it offers.
Antique and vintage Libbey products are readily available as a prized collectible. Examples of pressed, painted, and frosted items are plentiful on eBay, while the earlier hand-cut treasures are found on antique store sites and collector club classified advertisements. Prices range from a few dollars to an amount that represents a real investment, depending on the rarity and the amount of hand-craftsmanship involved in an individual item.
Victorian Bristol glass is known for its delicate and hand-painted motifs. The more desirable pieces show off finely drawn, fanciful decoration.
The finest glass was made at Bristol during the middle 1700′s. Advances in production allowed for the glass to become more affordable during the 1800′s. Today, the Bristol name is sometimes more synonymous with this lesser quality of opaque white glass, typically decorated with hand-painted landscapes, flowers or portraits.
Bristol glass ended up being manufactured in Germany, France, Bohemia, and Spain, besides England. None of the glass produced outside of Bristol was equal in quality to that of Bristol. Today, genuine old Bristol glass is rare. Most of the glass that dealers and collectors call Bristol was actually made in German or Dutch.
Bristol glass has brilliant color, especially in its deeper blues. The common opaque milky-white character is often ribbed with white streaks or accented in blue, red or yellow.
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