Old Glass and How to Collect it
CHAPTER IX
SOME HINTS TO COLLECTORS
Glass-collecting is so full of interest that it need not be followed on any large scale. It is equally fascinating when pursued in the humblest fashion, by ransacking old second-hand shops in lowly districts as well as country cottages. A nucleus is soon formed, and, that accomplished, the collector is in the toils of his hobby, and unless he is an utter failure, one of those hopeless and helpless folk who can never learn to discriminate between the true and the false, he speedily acquires a collection which has not only provided him with a delightful recreation but is a source of considerable pride.
Of course, it must not be imagined that anyone can go into a second-hand shop, a marine-store dealer’s, or a pawnshop, and come out with a bargain every time. Nor do I assert that every piece bought will justify the enthusiasm of the first moments of possession. But I do say that, given reasonable judgment, anyone may form the nucleus of a small collection, and that with decent care in adding to it pieces that are considered rare, genuine, and unusual, the result will be entirely gratifying--yielding a full measure of artistic satisfaction, to say nothing of pecuniary advantage.
I need hardly say that the seeker for bargains should not attempt to pursue his object in large West End shops or their equivalents in provincial cities. Rent, rates, and large salary lists preclude any possibility of cheapness there. And further, if I may venture to let my readers into a secret, there are hundreds of so-called antique dealers in our principal cities who are as incapable of telling the real antique from the artful fake as the veriest tyro. Their statements, about glass in particular, are often utterly unreliable. There are good firms to be found who have expert knowledge and whose judgment may be relied upon, but they are few and far between. The so-called expert antiquary is only too often a victim to his own too alluring imagination. He thinks he _knows_, “good, easy man,” when in reality fancy is building him a home of romance, into which, unluckily, he leads his too credulous client. And--then the disillusionment! And confidence in expert opinion vanishes into the realm of the things that were.
A friend of mine recently purchased a “Fiat” glass from a large and famous West End house. He was assured that it was genuine, and on the strength of that assurance paid a fair price. Within three days he was back, furious at being deceived. They returned his money. To my own knowledge, that particular firm has had many old wine glasses engraved with the “Fiat” decoration and emblems. They are stored in a dark cupboard and one only is shown at a time. There is little doubt that many collectors have suffered from this insolent piece of trickery. Personally, were I starting to collect glass in a small way, and for any reason preferred not to go out into the highways and byways to gather in what I might find, I would shun the big dealer altogether. I should select a small man whom I had reason to believe scrupulous and “clean”--a man with a reputation to gain and, consequently, a business to make. Such a man will generally have had a sound training, will know his subject, and take pleasure in justifying your confidence.
The question of price is always a serious one, and it is easy to understand the reluctance of the amateur to inquire the price of a piece which has taken his fancy, knowing, as he does, that the sum asked may probably be as many guineas as he may be prepared to pay shillings. Yet a price, though high, need not necessarily be excessive; a genuine specimen acquires value in proportion to its rarity rather than its beauty of design or build. As to genuineness, a decent firm will readily give a guarantee by writing upon the bill something of this nature, “We guarantee this article to be genuine old ---- glass, made and decorated at ----, about the year ----, and in the event of the purchaser wishing to return it within one week, we will refund in full the amount paid, provided the article is returned in perfect condition.” A short time limit is only fair, as the seller must protect himself against a possible loss of sale.
One word as to judging glass. It is not necessary to assume that a glass is old because it “rings” well; yet this is a common belief. The clearness with which a glass will ring depends on many things, the most important being its shape. Thus finger basins, rummers, large glasses, bowls, and preserve jars invariably ring well whether ancient or modern. The expert will judge by texture, the colour peculiar to the variety of glass, the shape, and the style of decoration. Even here he may readily be deceived, all these features being reproduced with remarkable fidelity. Only a short time ago a buyer to a large London firm asked my opinion with regard to a bowl which he had bought as “Early English glass.” To all appearance it was genuine, and yet it was clearly proved to be of Dutch, and very recent Dutch, manufacture. This Dutch glass is imported in large quantities, but the expert eye can readily detect it. The colour is a uniform green--a kind of deep-sea tint, and very clear. Moreover, the ware is not nearly so heavy as the genuine Waterford, which it resembles, and the facets of the cutting are too perfect and sharp. The muddy-coloured glass is also frequently imitated in the Dutch factories. Here again the weight is an important test; it is far lighter than the genuine English product. Even the facial scratches with which age invariably adorns the bases of all glass vessels are imitated by the modern “fake” merchant. A brief rubbing with pumice stone or rubbing the specimen against a stone will produce the desired effect.
The best training for the amateur collector is to spend a few weeks in examining a really good collection, say that in the British Museum or in the South Kensington Museum. Thus the eye becomes educated to the colour, shape, texture, style of decoration, etc., of the various kinds of glass, and is less likely to be deceived by even the best of modern imitations.
Then there is the eternal question of price. One point should be always before the collector’s mind: In the event of my being compelled to realise my collection, what price may I hope to get for it? To the collector the buying price and the selling price are intimately connected. There is so much capital to be locked up, so much time employed, so much skill displayed, and there should be a fair recompense for all three. And, further, there is the ever-present risk that fashion may change, and articles once greedily sought after may become unsaleable because they are “out of fashion.” Of course, one obvious way of purchasing to advantage is when others have to sell at a disadvantage; when collections come into the market because of the death or misfortune of their owner. At such sales I have known many bargains picked up, although it is again necessary to emphasise the need for wariness. Bogus sales are not unknown, and it is a common practice for genuine sales to be “salted,” and often pretty liberally, by the introduction of inferior imitations, in the hope that, among much that is undoubtedly genuine, they may escape detection.
I may, perhaps, be permitted to say a word as to the prices which should be paid in the ordinary way at such sales. An old Waterford cut-glass jug is, provided its cutting is perfect, certainly worth a five-pound note. A very common dodge is to sell an old Waterford jug with a cracked handle, the crack being where it is least likely to show, _i.e._ at the top or bottom of the handle close to where it joins the body. For an ordinary spiral wine glass 7s. 6d. to 10s. is a fair price, but glasses with baluster stems are easily worth a guinea. Most expensive of all are the real “Fiat” glasses: £9, £10, £15, and even more may be paid for one. I saw one sold a few months ago for the record price of nineteen guineas.
If you come across a “Fiat” glass priced at a five-pound note, or less, you may be sure of one of two things: either the owner does not know the value of the piece or it is an imitation. Baluster stems are not often to be met with, but they may well be worth anything from £1 to 30s. Of course, in considering this question of price one must not forget that often a fancy price is willingly paid in order to complete a set, or for some other reason. Irish finger glasses with double lip are, roughly, worth from 5s. to 7s. 6d., and sometimes higher prices are given for sets of a dozen, or even half a dozen. Opaque glass is rare, and glasses with opaque twists are worth about 15s. apiece. Masonic, thistle, and boot glasses run about three, two, and one guinea respectively. Salt-cellars, with their Irish flat cutting, cost anything from a guinea each, and vinegar and oil bottles about 30s. I have purposely refrained from mentioning any large or important pieces; there are many such perfectly well known to the expert. It is, of course, quite impossible to fix a price for these. As an Appendix to this book I have drawn up a list of prices fetched by important pieces at recent sales. A large Waterford bowl will fetch twenty-five to thirty guineas, and if its genuineness is incontestable and its artistic merit high, it may well bring twice that figure.
Personally, I consider that the high-water mark has been reached in the price of ordinary pieces of old glass. There is certainly a great demand for it at the moment; but such crazes are rarely lasting, and the time may come when antique glass, which has largely dispossessed antique silver, will itself fall into disfavour before the onset of some newer fancy.
A CATALOGUE
Showing the latest prices of important pieces of glass sold by auction at recent sales of well-known collections.
An ancient Roman Drinking Glass, with indented sides, and two early Venetian Glasses, of green colours, decorated with trailed lines.....£1 18 0
A Wine Bottle, of early seventeenth century, with seal of a monarch’s head, highly iridescent; and two others, one inscribed and dated _Henry Galshell, 1700_.....£2 12 0
A Wine Bottle, inscribed _T. Bellamy_, 1773, and another, dated 1772.....£2 6 0
A Bristol blue glass Goblet, with inscription in gold:--
“Accept this trifle from a friend, Whose love for you can never end,”
a blue Cream Jug, an opalescent Cup, and an oval cup.....£3 5 0
A pair of cut-glass Sugar Castors, and one other.....£2 16 0
A pair of tall Beer Glasses, decorated with applied bands, 10½ in. (_c._ 1735), and one with engraved body, 17½ in......£2 12 0
A large Goblet, with globular body, and another, smaller, with inscription KING & CONSTITUTION.....£2 0 0
A Goblet, with bell-shaped body, decorated with moulded ornament, on round foot and baluster stem, the centre knop containing a 3d. piece of Charles II., 9½ in......£10 0 0
A large Goblet, 13½ in., the stem containing a specimen of Jernegan’s silver lottery medal of 1736.....£7 0 0
A Goblet, 18 in. high, long stem, with coloured twists, the body and foot engraved with floral design.....£2 18 0
A large Goblet, with globular body, engraved with _I.M.F._ within a wreath.....£2 5 0
A Goblet or Vase, 9 in. high, engraved with portrait of Shakespeare, and with initials _I. E._ in an oval, with festoons.....£8 5 0
A Jug, on rounded foot, engraved with representation of the frigate SHANNON and CAPN. B.F.E......£6 10 0
A large Goblet, 13½ in. high, the body engraved with a youthful Bacchus seated on a barrel, a fountain, vine leaves, etc......£8 10 0
A Bowl on foot, with moulded ornament, inscribed _John Richie & Christian Cochrane_, 1727, height 8½ in., diam. 9¼ in......£20 10 0
A pair of stemmed Cups, and two others, with etched decoration of dogs, etc......£2 10 0
A Goblet, with straight sides, engraved with the _Victory_, and _In Memory of Lord Nelson, Oct. 21, 1805_, and another, with a newly launched ship, _Nelson, Launched June 20, 1814_.....£11 5 0
A Goblet, engraved with Mail Coach and initials W.M.B., surrounded by ears of corn, etc......£1 12 0
A tall Goblet, engraved with ships and _Success to the Navy_, and another, with decoration of vine leaves, etc......£4 12 0
A Goblet, engraved with the “Victory” and funeral car, inscribed _In Memory of Lord Nelson, Oct. 21, 1805_, and another, engraved same subject, dated _Jany. 9, 1806_.....£9 15 0
A Goblet, engraved with view of Sunderland Bridge, dated 1838; and two others.....£2 5 0
A straight-sided Goblet, with the Royal arms, etc., and the motto _Ne M’oubliez pas_, and another, also with Royal arms.....£3 18 0
Two Goblets (one imperfect), and two smaller Glasses, with Masonic emblems.....£3 15 0
A Goblet, engraved with horse and jockey, and inscribed _Birmingham, Doncaster, 1830, Winner of the Great St. Ledger Stakes_, and another, inscribed _James Oddie, Bromley_.....£4 0 0
A Goblet, engraved with a bird on rocks, with inscription _I rest upon a sure foundation_, and the initials _S. R._, the stem contains a 6d., dated 1816; and another Goblet, engraved with initials _Q.R._ (Queen Caroline), and _God and my Rights_.....£2 10 0
A Goblet, with Royal arms and G. R. III, and a tall Wine Glass, with Royal arms, dated MDCCLXVI.....£1 15 0
A tall Glass, 8 in., engraved with Arms of the Duke of Cumberland (_c._ 1770), and another, with Arms of the Earl of Malmesbury.....£7 0 0
A Vase and Cover, with two handles, engraved with designs of flowers, grapes, etc......£10 5 0
A Jug and Cover, cut and engraved with initials E. L.; a Goblet, of similar style; and another Goblet, with twisted stem.....£3 10 0
A large Goblet, engraved with horse and cart, etc., and initials E.M.T.C., a coin of 1818 in the stem, and another Goblet, engraved THE GREAT (a bell) OF LINCOLN.....£5 0 0
A large Goblet, engraved with medallions, enclosing sign of The Temple (lamb and flag), initials _C.C._ and _George the 4, Crownd, July 19, 1821_.....£3 10 0
A tall Goblet, 10 in., richly engraved in Renaissance style, with chimeræ, medallions, etc., and another, with festoons and birds.....£3 5 0
A “yard ale” Glass; two Bâtons, in green glass; and a Bottle, shaped as a seventeenth-century pistol.....£16 0 0
A Bottle, shaped as bellows, 13½ in., in white and clear glass, and another smaller, decorated with rosettes and green lines.....£2 0 0
A Candlestick, 9 in.; a pair of Candlesticks, without nozzles (_c._ 1735), 5 in., and two others.....£6 0 0
A tall Cup, with richly cut baluster stem, engraved with sportsman, lady in a garden, etc. (_c._ 1730).....£10 10 0
A Cup, on baluster stem, richly engraved with figures of musicians in a garden, an English coat of arms, etc., early eighteenth century.....£11 0 0
A Cup, with octagonal foot, engraved with figures, and with inscription _Het Welvaaren Vrow-Van de Kraam en Kintie_, and a Vase, engraved with design of Last Supper, after Da Vinci.....£3 10 0
A Cup, with Cover, partly gilt, engraved in compartments with lady and gentleman, Cupid, etc., early eighteenth century.....£5 15 0
A Tumbler, engraved in three compartments with a lady in a garden, a gentleman and a horseman, and another, engraved with officer on horse and military trophies (_c._ 1740).....£2 12 0
A cylindrical Vase, engraved with love tokens, etc., and inscribed _James Jagger, Bound, July 2, 1776, age 16 years--Miss Polly Pritteman--Made this in the Year 1776_, and another, engraved with festoons and birds.....£6 0 0
A large cut-glass Tumbler, engraved in a circle with figure of William IV., and inscription: _May our happy constitution in Church and State ever continue unimpaired_.....£1 18 0
A Mug, engraved with _G.R._, etc. (_t._ George I.), and another, with gilt ornament.....£1 2 0
A pair of Tumblers, engraved with an English coat of arms and motto, _Indignante invidia florebit_.....£2 10 0
A cylindrical Cup, engraved with Cupid shooting, Masonic emblems, _Amour et Constance_, etc., and another, with scene of a crowned woman, monkey, ship, etc......£4 0 0
A Tumbler, engraved with _Success to the Viper--Capn. Cowee--F. Norris_; another, with early railway engine and coaches; and another, with sheaf of corn, etc......£7 10 0
A tall Glass, on baluster stem, engraved with scene of Stag Hunt.....£3 5 0
A Goblet, engraved with sporting scene, and another, with floral design and initials E.F......£2 14 0
A Goblet, with Masonic symbols, and another, with the ship and inscription _Nelson’s Victory_.....£7 5 0
Four Goblets, with wide lips.....£3 15 0
A pair of small Wine Glasses, and a larger pair, engraved with English coat of arms and motto _Indignante invidia florebit_.....£5 15 0
Two Cups, on cut stems and with shaped edges, and two others, with ribbon stems.....£2 10 0
A tall Glass, engraved “_Willie brew’d a peck of malt_,” and two engraved Tumblers with square bases.....£3 10 0
A Goblet, with coloured ribbon stem, and two others with white ribbon.....£6 6 0
Three tall Glasses, with coloured ribbon stems, one of them inscribed Mʳˢ B., and another, with ear of corn in gold.....£6 10 0
A ribbon coloured stemmed glass, bell shaped, engraved with two birds on a heart, and inscribed PIER-PIERSEN-1782, and three others.....£4 5 0
A stemmed Cup, with wide lip; one other, and a pair of “straw stemmed” Wine Cups (_c._ 1720).....£1 12 0
Six tall Glasses, with rounded stems.....£8 15 0
Five Wine Glasses, with coloured ribbon stems, and one with plain stem.....£3 0 0
A pair of Wine Glasses, with faceted stems, the bowls engraved with birds and flowers, and four others of the same type.....£2 2 0
A bell-shaped Goblet, with air-twisted stem, and two tall Glasses, with drawn stems enclosing tear.....£2 2 0
A Jacobite Glass, engraved with the Stuart rose with seven petals and two buds, and the portrait of Prince Charlie surrounded by the words _Audentior Ibo_; under the foot is engraved a thistle with two leaves, straight plain drawn stem, height, 7½ in......£53 0 0
A Jacobite Glass, with straight sides, engraved with Stuart rose, buds, and butterfly, plain stem, 6¾ in......£8 0 0
A Jacobite Wine Glass, with air-twisted stem, the bowl engraved with Jacobite rose, two buds, star, and the word _Redeat_.....£17 10 0
A Jacobite Glass, with short plain stem and thick foot, the bowl engraved with portrait of Prince Charlie, the Stuart rose and buds, and the words _Audentior Ibo_, 3½ in......£37 0 0
A Jacobite Glass, with stem containing two opaque twists, the bowl engraved with rose, two buds, and butterfly, 5 in......£4 0 0
A Glass, with drawn air-twisted stem, the bowl engraved with Jacobite emblems of rose, two buds, star, oak leaf, and the word _Fiat_, 6 in......£9 10 0
A Glass of similar form, with Jacobite emblems of rose, buds, star, and oak leaf, 6¼ in......£10 10 0
A Glass, with opaque-twisted stem, engraved with Hanoverian rose, said to have been produced to counteract the influence of the Jacobite party, and a pair of others with opaque twists.....£2 16 0
A Jacobite Glass, with waisted bowl, engraved with rose, two buds, and butterfly, air-twisted stem, 7 in......£4 0 0
A Jacobite Glass, with air-twisted stem, the bowl engraved with emblems of rose, two buds, star, oak leaf, and the word _Fiat_, 5¾ in......£10 0 0
A Wine Glass, with plain cup, plain drawn stem and folded foot (_c._ 1735); another, with engraved bowl, and two with opaque-twisted stems.....£1 16 0
A Glass, with heavy baluster stem, enclosing air tears; a heavy Spirit Glass, on short stem and thick foot, and another, smaller.....£3 16 0
A Glass, with cut stem, engraved with fox and _Tallyho_, and another with air-twisted stem, with a prancing horse and _Liberty_.....£3 15 0
A Beer Glass, of elegant shape, the stem with double opaque twist and bowl engraved with barley and hops, initials S.B.I. and date 1762, 7½ in.; and another, with opaque-twisted stem, engraved barley and hops, and another, plain drawn stem, 8 in., engraved with rose and barley.....£4 0 0
Two Beer Glasses, engraved with hops and barley, air-twisted stems, and one other with opaque twist.....£3 3 0
A Beer Glass, with opaque-twisted stem and wide bell-shaped bowl, engraved with hops, barley, and initials _C.B._, and another, with opaque twist and plain bowl.....£2 15 0
A large Cup for light wine, the wide-lipped bowl with five lobes, twisted stem and fluted foot; another, with ogee bowl and reeded stem, and another, with broad flutings.....£2 2 0
A Beer Cup on short foot engraved Q. (a crown) C. (Queen Caroline), and the words, _God and my Rights_, and another, engraved _Think on me_.....£2 18 0
Three Wine Cups, with opaque-twisted stems, a knob in the centre, and another, with air twist and waisted bowl, middle of eighteenth century.....£2 8 0
A Wine Glass, with engraved bowl, air-twisted stem with knop in centre (_c._ 1760), and two others with opaque twists.....£2 4 0
A pair of Glasses, the stems elegantly formed with knops and opaque twists diminishing towards the foot, 7 in. (_c._ 1730).....£2 5 0
A Glass, with heavy moulded stem and folded foot (_c._ 1700), and another, 8½ in. (_c._ 1730).....£3 5 0
Two Glasses, with air-twisted stems and knops (_c._ 1760).....£1 14 0
A Glass, with baluster stem and dome-shaped foot, and two Glasses, with spirally fluted bowls.....£3 10 0
Three engraved Glasses, one with air twist, one with baluster stem and Dutch inscription, and one with plain stem.....£2 2 0
Four Glasses, with air-twisted stems and knops, 6¾ in......£4 10 0
Four tall Glasses, with double opaque-twisted stems, 8¼ in......£4 0 0
A Wine Glass, engraved with crown, thistle, and initials [Illustration: AUI], stem with opaque twist, and another, engraved with thistle.....£6 2 6
Two Glasses, 7 in., with opaque-twisted stems, and two others with air twists.....£3 5 0
A Glass, with air-twisted stem and domed foot, and three others with air twist.....£3 10 0
Two Glasses, with air-twisted stems and engraved bowls, and two others with air twists.....£3 18 0
A Cider Glass, the stem with air twist, the bowl engraved with apple branch; another, with faceted stem, 7 in., and two smaller Glasses.....£7 10 0
A Glass, with straight air-twisted stem and dome-shaped foot, the bowl deeply engraved with flowers (_c._ 1740); another, also engraved and with twisted stem, swelling in the middle; and two others, with air-drawn stems.....£4 4 0
Four Glasses, with engraved bowls and opaque-twisted stems of different patterns.....£2 14 0
A Glass, with small bowl and long straight stem enclosing opaque twist; and three others.....£4 10 0
A tall Glass (7¾ in.), with coloured twisted stem; one other; one with gold decoration; and another with engraved bowl.....£4 15 0
Two tall Glasses, with engraved bowl and coloured twisted stems; one with opaque twist; and another with plain stem, the bowl and foot engraved with roses.....£5 15 0
A pair of Glasses, with opaque twists and engraved and fluted bowls; and another pair, with engraved bowls.....£2 0 0
A pair of Glasses, with opaque-twisted stems and partly fluted bowls; and two others.....£2 15 0
A Glass (8 in.), with opaque-twisted stem swelling in the middle; another with smaller bowl (_c._ 1750); and two others.....£2 10 0
Two Glasses, with bowls engraved with the honeysuckle; and two others, with air-twisted stems.....£3 3 0
A Glass (6¾ in.), the waisted bowl engraved with a flower and the stem faceted (_c._ 1730); and another, engraved with a tree and the words, _Je meur ou je matache_, with fluted stem and folded foot.....£2 4 0
Four Glasses, with plain stems, enclosing tears.....£3 0 0
Two bell-shaped Glasses, with opaque and air twists, and two others.....£3 0 0
Two engraved Glasses, with white twisted stems, one other with plain bowl, and one with engraved bowl and air twist.....£2 2 0
A Glass with faceted stem, the bowl engraved with flowers; another, engraved SANS-SOUCI--1789, and two others, engraved with festoons, etc......£2 2 0
A Glass, with baluster stem, engraved with honeysuckle; another, with similar stem, and two with faceted stems, engraved with floral design.....£1 12 0
A Glass, with moulded stem and folded foot, 6½ in., the bowl engraved with figures of a harlequin and musicians, a coat of arms and the mottoes: SALVS PATRIÆ--CONCORDIA RESPARVÆ-CRESCUNT; two plain Glasses, and one other, with folded feet, early seventeenth century.....£3 10 0
Four Glasses, three with engraved bowls, faceted stems.....£1 18 0
A Glass, with moulded stem and dome foot; another, with air twist; and two, with faceted stems.....£1 14 0
Two Glasses, engraved with a coronet and the motto--_Long live the Duke_; another with _Ld. Wellington for ever_, and another, with the words, _Duke Wellington and his Army_.....£5 15 0
Two “coaching” Glasses, without feet; a small moulded Glass (_c._ 1800), and three others.....£2 8 0
A “coaching” Glass, and five sweetmeat Glasses, with undulating edges.....£2 0 0
Three glass “boot” Cups, of the time of George III., “may have been made in honour or rather in contempt of Lord Bute”.....£2 10 0
A Flask, with applied decoration, end of seventeenth century, and a Vase and Cover of green glass, with trailed and pinched decoration.....£1 1 0
Four sweetmeat Glasses, with square feet, and two engraved Cups, on feet.....£2 12 0
A Lamp with three nozzles, and three other Lamps, early eighteenth century.....£3 3 0
Six Wine Dippers; a Scent Bottle, and three other pieces.....£1 18 0
A Cup, with faceted foot and stem, engraved with Prince of Wales’ Feathers; a Cup, with coat of arms; another Cup, with faceted stem, and another, with English coat of arms.....£5 15 0
A Cup, inscribed BEER AND LIBERTY; one with Masonic symbols, and two others.....£3 3 0
A Cup for light wine, with reeded stem and hollow foot, two with baluster stems, another with long drawn bowl.....£2 16 0
Six Spirit Glasses, with plain stems.....£1 14 0
Six Glasses, with plain stems and folded feet.....£1 6 0
Two Glasses with stems enclosing tears, and four others, all with engraved bowls.....£1 14 0
Three early Glasses, the stems containing tears, and with moulded feet, and three others.....£2 10 0
A Beer Glass, the bowl engraved with barley and hops, and five other Glasses with engraved bowls.....£1 15 0
A Cup, with moulded stem and folded foot, another drawn bowl, one engraved with rose and faceted bowl, and another, engraved with bird.....£1 10 0
A Salve Stand, with air twist; another upright Stand, containing figure of Caryatid; Bottle, Cruet, three Cups, and two Ring Stands.....£2 14 0
A plain glass Dish, oblong in shape, with bevelled edge; a Dish, Cover, and Stand, a cut Sugar Bowl, and six small Liqueur Glasses.....£4 12 6
A Liqueur Stand, with two bottles; a Decanter and Stopper; a reeded Jug with coin; two reeded Tankards (one with coin), and six Liqueur Glasses.....£4 14 0
A set of six cut Goblets, six Custard Barrels, four cut Port Glasses, six Claret Glasses, engraved in wheat-ears, and a Milk Jug.....£3 14 0
Four Rummers, a Glass Dish, eight Wine Glasses, six Custard Cups, and eight Glasses, various.....£2 10 0
Three engraved Tumblers, three Rummers, Goblet, twelve specimen Ale and Wine Glasses, and a set of six Syllabub Glasses.....£5 0 0
An early Water Jug, engraved with initials “A.L.”; an engraved Mug, five specimen Tumblers, and an engraved Goblet.....£4 4 0
An early Bottle, a cut Bowl with handles and Stand, a Waterford oval Dish, and a Decanter and Stopper.....£2 10 0
A pair of Old English Rummers, the bases of the bowls twisted, and a frosted and ribbed Dish and Cover.....£1 12 0
Fourteen old moulded Glasses, various shapes; two Oil Bottles, a double Oil Flask, and an Ale Jug.....£2 12 0
A pair of diamond-cut Decanters and Stoppers, a set of six long cut stem Glasses, engraved in birds and flowers; five Goblets, and six cut Claret Glasses.....£6 0 0
Twelve Ale Glasses, with opaque-twist stems, and drawn bowls, almost similar.....£5 0 0
A pair of circular Dishes, 7 in. diam., elaborately cut, the centres engraved in roses on amber ground, and four small Sweetmeat Dishes of fine quality.....£2 12 0
A pair of Wine Glasses, plain baluster stems, with tears and bell bowls, and four others, with folded feet and plain stems.....£2 14 0
Six plain stem Wine Glasses, five of them engraved and with folded feet.....£2 12 0
A Mug, without handle, engraved in bands of leaves, 5½ in. high, and a Loving Cup, goblet shape, engraved in wheat-ears and monogram, E. M. B., 8½ in. high.....£3 14 0
A pair of Wine Glasses, air-twist double baluster stems, with ring heads and straight bowls, 6¾ in. high, and a Wine Glass, with drawn air-twist stem, cable centre and bell-shaped bowl, 6½ in. high.....£4 10 0
A large Goblet, with cut tear stem and dome foot, the bowl cut at the base and engraved with a ship and inscription: “T. Welvaren Van de Vrouw Anna Maria,” 9¼ in. high.....£3 16 0
A pair of Wine Glasses, with opaque-twist stems and narrow straight-sided bowls, engraved in flowers; another pair, with opaque-twist stems, and another pair, with baluster opaque-twist stems.....£3 15 0
A Waterford Cake Dish and Cover, the cover hive-shaped, elaborately cut in lozenges and ribbed, the dish, 11 in. diam., has a scalloped border, 12½ in. high.....£6 15 0
Four small Sweetmeat Glasses, and a pair of Rummers, on square bases.....£2 15 0
A pair of Wine Glasses, double baluster air-twist stems; two with air-twist stems and drawn bowls, and a pair with air-twist stems and drawn waisted bowls.....£5 5 0
A pair of Cordial Glasses, engraved with a crown and initials of Charles X. of Sweden, 1660, 3½ in. high.....£2 10 0
Two Goblets, with opaque twist stems, engraved in flowers; two baluster opaque stem Wine Glasses, a Glass, engraved in hunting scenes, and two others.....£5 0 0
An early Tankard, engraved with Masonic emblems, enclosed with scroll-work and flowers, surmounted by a crown, 6¼ in. high.....£2 2 0
A pair of oval Deep Dishes, with flat scalloped edges, hobnail cutting.....£3 3 0
A pair of Wine Glasses, air-twist slender stems and drawn plain bowls, 7½ in. high, and another, with incised twist stem and indented straight-sided bowl, 6½ in. high.....£3 10 0
A pair of plain Ale Glasses, engraved with a fox and “Tally-ho”; a smaller one, engraved with a cock-fight; a Rummer, engraved with a race-horse, and a boot-shaped Spirit Glass.....£5 0 0
A Wine Glass, with double ogee bowl and hollow stem; two Pipes, and a tall Jug, in the form of a coaching horn, 12 in. high.....£3 5 0
A pair of Waterford Tapersticks, with beautifully cut stems and nozzles, and dome-shaped feet, 6¼ in. high.....£15 5 0
A Wine Glass, with opaque-twist stem and drawn bowl, engraved in vines and bird; two, with opaque-twist stems and bell-shaped bowls, similarly engraved, and a pair of opaque-twist stem Wine Glasses, with plain shaped bowls.....£3 0 0
A Candlestick, with cut shaped stem and indented raised foot, and another, with square base.....£2 15 0
A straight pint Tankard, ribbed and engraved in bands of roses.....£2 4 0
An Ale Glass, with straight-sided bowl engraved with the Royal coat of arms and festoons of flowers; a pair of Ale Glasses, with coloured twisted stems, and one other.....£2 4 0
A Trifle Dish and Stand, the body with brilliant diamond cutting, the dish with fan-cut edge, 10½ in. diam......£3 16 0
A pair of open-lipped Vases or Celery Glasses, with diamond edges, hobnailed cutting, 7¾ in. high, and another, oval-topped, 7 in. high.....£3 15 0
A pair of Waterford Liqueur Bottles, with handles and stoppers, bulbous bodies and long necks, cut in flowers and lozenges, 8½ in. high.....£4 10 0
Three early Wine Glasses, with baluster air-twist stems, and three with drawn bowls and air-twist stems.....£5 7 6
A Waterford straight-sided Rum Pot and Cover, with flat spout, hobnail cutting.....£4 4 0
A pair of Wine Glasses, air-twist stems, straight-sided bowls, engraved in flowers and butterfly, 6¼ in. high, and a Wine Glass, with baluster air-twist stem and plain bell-shaped bowl, 6¼ in. high.....£4 0 0
A pair of Waterford oval Sweetmeat Stands, 3½ in. high, and a Candlestick, cut and on square base, 8 in. high.....£2 14 0
A Waterford circular Bowl, Cover, and Stand, finely cut, 7 in. high.....£3 5 0
A pair of cut Comports, and a pair of Cake Dishes, with hobnail cutting and cut scalloped borders, 7¾ in. diam......£5 5 0
A Wine Glass, plain stem and ovoid bowl, engraved with a portrait of a man on horseback and inscription, “In Memory of the Battle of the Boyne,” 5¾ in. high, and another, with tear and baluster stem and waisted bowl, engraved with a ship and inscription, folded foot, 6 in. high.....£3 0 0
A Wine Glass, with opaque-twisted stem and drawn ovoid bowl, engraved with the rose and thistle and inscription, “Honi soit qui mal y pense,” 5¾ in. high, and another Wine Glass, with baluster tear stem, the bowl engraved in vines and butterfly, folded foot, 6 in. high.....£2 2 0
A Waterford Oil Bottle and Stopper.....£1 0 0
A Water Jug, ribbed and engraved in Chinese scenes, and a Waterford Honey Jar, Cover and Stand.....£2 18 0
Three Wine Glasses, opaque-twist stems and bell-shaped bowls, engraved in vines and butterflies, and three opaque-twist stem Wine Glasses, one with lipped bowl.....£3 3 0
A pair of Cork Ale Cups, 5½ in. high, and a Bottle, with pressed quilted body, 8 in. high.....£1 16 0
A Sweetmeat Glass, twisted stem, lipped double ogee bowl and domed foot, 6½ in. high.....£3 15 0
A tall Wine Glass, air-twist double-knopped stem and bell-shaped bowl, engraved with rose and bud, plain foot, 7¼ in. high.....£2 18 0
An almost similar Wine Glass, the bowl engraved with a rose, two buds, and a butterfly, 7 in. high.....£3 3 0
A pair of Waterford oviform Vases and Covers, cut in lozenges, square feet, 12 in. high.....£5 10 0
A Wine Glass, with opaque-twisted stem, drawn bowl, engraved in vines and bud, and three other Wine Glasses, engraved.....£2 2 0
A Rose Bowl, elaborately engraved in arabesques, 8¼ in. diam., and a Waterford circular Dish, with fan cutting, 10 in. diam......£5 0 0
A Goblet, with drawn air-twist stem, straight-sided bowl with indentation at base, conical foot, 8¾ in. high, and a set of four Ale Glasses, with air-twisted stems, the bowls engraved in wheat-ears.....£3 5 0
A standing Cup and Cover, elaborately engraved in flowers and cut, the knob and stem with red twist, 11 in. high.....£2 15 0
A standing Cup and Cover, cut stem, the bowl cut and engraved in stags and festoons, 10 in. high.....£1 14 0
A finely cut Scent Bottle and Stopper; three others, smaller, with stoppers, and a Taper Stand, mounted in metal.....£2 10 0
A pair of Wine Glasses, air-twist baluster stems and straight bowls, and three air-twist baluster stem Glasses, with short bowls and heavy bases.....£4 6 0
A beautifully cut Bowl, Cover, and Stand; a beautifully cut Olive Pot and Cover, and a cut four-division Scent Bottle.....£2 12 0
A tall Candlestick, with ribbed nozzle and tears, moulded stem and ribbed dome foot, 9½ in. high.....£6 5 0
A Waterford Water Jug, with hobnail and ribbed cutting, and a Tankard, with ribbed top and raised scroll lower part.....£3 14 0
Four pressed Sweetmeat Plates.....£1 0 0
A set of six Wine Glasses, with long slender air-twist stems and small straight-sided bowls, 9½ in. high.....£2 2 0
A Waterford oval Bowl Cover, and Stand, 6 in. high, and a boat-shaped Bowl, with raised ends, 11 in. long, 5½ in. wide.....£3 12 0
A set of six Wine Glasses, air-twist stems and engraved rims to bowls, and a Dish, the under part cut in portrait of Queen Victoria and Roman scenes.....£3 3 0
Five cut stem Wine Glasses (one dated 1872, others engraved); four cut Goblets; two cut Ale Glasses, and a large Ale Glass.....£3 12 0
A set of six finely cut Waterford Tumblers; a cut Honey Pot, Cover, and Stand; a pair of cut Spirit Bottles and Stoppers; a pair of cut blue and white flat Dishes, and a cut Sweet Dish.....£6 10 0
A pair of very fine cut Waterford Compotiers, with Covers, vase-shaped, 11 in. high.....£13 5 0
A brilliantly cut Old English Compotier and Cover, 13½ in. high.....£6 10 0
A set of twelve Georgian Wine Glasses, the straight-sided flat-bottomed bowls are engraved with the Prince of Wales’ feathers and motto “Ich Dien” in scrolls, plain stems and feet; formerly the property of the Prince Regent and of the late King Edward VII......£6 5 0
A set of three Waterford Flower Glasses, with cut edges; a pair of Waterford Salts, and a Water Jug.....£4 0 0
A set of four Wine Glasses, opaque-twist stems and engraved and ribbed bowls, and six others all with opaque-twist stems.....£4 4 0
A fine old English cut Butter Dish, Cover, and Stand, and a large Bristol Tankard and Cover, reeded and shaped, the cover with a coloured twist handle, 9½ in. high.....£3 6 0
An old cut Jam Dish, Cover, and Stand; two moulded and frosted Cups; a pair of Waterford Sweetmeat Stands; another pair, cut; six cut Tumblers, and two Knife Rests.....£3 12 6
An engraved Puzzle Jug; two Toddy Lifters; three Sugar Crushers; a Spoon, and a Dish in the form of a hat.....£1 14 0
A pair of plain Firing Glasses, engraved “680”; two Toddy Lifters, and a plain hat-shaped Basket.....£1 10 0
A pair of finely cut Decanters and Stoppers, with shell cut bosses; a pair of cut circular Salts, and a long Scent Bottle and Stopper.....£2 16 0
A clear glass footed Beer Jug, and an engraved and cut Flower Bowl, with coin on the base, 6½ in. diam......£3 10 0
A Goblet, the body engraved all round, in landscape and deer, 6 in. high; a Goblet on baluster stem, the body engraved in vases of flowers, on pedestal, 7 in. high.....£1 0 0
A large Old English Jug, the body cut and neck ribbed, 10 in. high, and an early Cream Jug.....£2 8 0
A pair of cut Lustres, with droppers, and a centre Lustre.....£4 12 0
A pair of fine cut Decanters and Stoppers, a cut Scent Bottle and Stopper, and an Olive Pot and Cover.....£3 5 0
An early Cake Vase and Cover, ribbed and moulded, 7¾ in. high, and a Water Jug, engraved in wheat-ears.....£3 5 0
A straight-sided Biscuit Jar, Cover, and Stand, cut in lozenges, 9½ in. high, and a cut hollow Tazza, 5 in. high.....£2 18 0
A plain Old English Sylabent Stand, on dome foot, 9 in. diam., and a Celery Glass, engraved in vines.....£1 10 0
An old Treacle Jug, with pewter mount; two cut Scent Bottles and Stoppers, and two Goblets.....£2 4 0
A pair of moulded Candlesticks, 8½ in. high, and an early Water Jug.....£1 18 0
A pair of plain Bristol Vases, with open lips, 12 in. high; a pair of plain Cups, and six Plates.....£1 16 0
A Bristol handled Mug, straight side painted with a portrait, enclosed in scroll-work and sprays of flowers, 6½ in. high, and a Bowl, painted in continuous flowers and birds, 8 in. diam......£2 10 0
A Bristol Vase, with double handles and dome foot, painted in flowers, 8½ in. high, and two Bristol Mugs, both painted in figures and flowers.....£2 8 0
A pair of barrel-shaped Tankards and Covers, with handles painted in Watteau scenes and gilded, 8 in. high.....£5 5 0
A Vase and Cover, painted in portrait medallions and sprays of flowers and gilded, the vase on square foot, 10¾ in. high.....£3 3 0
A pair of rare Venetian Cups and Saucers, decorated in Chinese figures and flowers in gold and red.....£5 5 0
A Bristol Plate, the centre painted in figures with flags, enclosed in a star band in red, the border with arabesque, in colours, 7½ in. diam., and a barrel-shaped Mug, painted with a dog and flowers, 5 in. high.....£2 4 0
A rare Jug and Cover, splashed in blue and brown, 8 in. high, and a pair of Cups and Saucers, painted in birds and flowers.....£2 8 0
Three Bristol straight-sided Tankards, painted in figures and flowers.....£3 15 0
A Jar and Cover, the jar with brown lozenges and double handles, model of a swan surmounting the cover, 5½ in. high, and a Tankard, painted in figures and pastoral scenes, 6 in. high.....£2 10 0
A Bristol handled Mug, painted in panel and flowers; a Cream Jug, with inscription “Forget-me-Not”; a small Tazza, and a Vase.....£2 16 0
A Vase, a small Cup, two Tankards, a Cup and Saucer, and a Bottle, all painted.....£2 8 0
A plain Bristol double Flask, with Prince of Wales’ feathers; a plain Bristol bellows Flask, and a plain hollow Candlestick.....£1 8 0
A hollow Candlestick, 8½ in. high; a double gourd-shaped Spirit Bottle, a bellows Flask, and three Scent Bottles, all Bristol.....£1 4 0
A double gourd-shaped Bristol Spirit Bottle, three other Spirit Bottles, and five small Bottles.....£2 0 0
A Bristol Jar and Cover, the body shaped, with alternate spirals of ruby and opaque, 8¼ in. high, and a plain Bristol Basket.....£1 10 0
A large Nailsea Jug, deep green splashed in blue and white, 8½ in. high, and a Tankard, with spiral bands of red and opaque.....£2 8 0
A pair of Nailsea Rapiers, blue handles, the blades with blue centres.....£2 15 0
A pair of purple Bristol Vases, 7 in. high; an old green Ear Trumpet, a purple Cream Jug, and four purple Salts.....£1 2 0
A Nailsea Policeman’s Staff, a double Flask, and three single Nailsea Flasks, various colours.....£2 8 0
A rare blue Bristol miniature Dinner and Dessert Service, comprising Bowls and Covers, Tazze and Covers, Sugar Bowls, Tea Cups and Saucers, Cream Jugs and Plates (about 120 pieces).....£2 4 0
A white Bristol miniature Tea and Coffee Service.....£1 6 0
Three Nailsea Rolling Pins, different colours, and a Nailsea Jug, dark green, mottled in white.....£3 0 0
A pink Nailsea Water Jug, splashed in opaque white, and a clear Nailsea Flask, on circular base, with opaque decoration and appliqué Prince of Wales’ feathers and edging.....£2 2 0
A Bottle and Stopper, with flowers in various colours embedded in the base; and four Paper Weights of a similar character.....£2 0 0
Seven Paper Weights, with various coloured flowers, etc., embedded in the glass.....£2 6 0
Two Paper Weights, with silvered medallions; three green Paper Weights; two others; and two Inkpots, with tears.....£3 3 0
A Bristol plain glass double-handled Vase and Cover, painted in sprays of flowers, 11 in. high; and a Water Bottle and Stopper, and Well Stand for same, with close opaque spirals and blue border.....£1 4 0
An open-necked Bristol opaque Vase, with bulbous base, the body entwined with raised ivy leaves and berries in colour, 16 in. high; two mottled Bristol Bowls, and a blue mottled Vase.....£2 2 0
A green Nailsea Cream Jug, with opaque twist decoration, and a Nailsea Flagon, mottled on green ground.....£2 4 0
A pair of Bristol Shells; a Bristol Double Flask, with deep blue borders; a ruby Bell, with coloured twist handle, and two blue Bristol Cream Jugs.....£2 6 0
A rare Bristol Sugar Crusher, with ring handle, with a central opaque twist surrounded by blue and red twist; a small flat Flask, with examples of all the Bristol coloured twists; and another piece, the base with coloured twist.....£2 2 0
A Bristol Pipe, opaque, with green rim; another, opaque, with pink stripes; and another, blue.....£1 2 0
A pair of old green Sussex Bottles, filled with silk and imitation flowers, 9½ in. long; a pair of Bristol Vases of Flowers, under glass shades, with glass bases, 6 in. high; and a green Nailsea Model of a Dog.....£1 2 0
A Nailsea Horn, a green Pipe, and two plain Flasks, with opaque decoration.....£1 11 0
A rare green glass Trident, with long handle, 17 in. long; and two Nailsea Trumpets, one 26 in. long, and the other 18½ in. long.....£2 2 0
A rare old Venetian Goblet, straight sides opening at the top, striped in white from top to bottom, and having partly gilded mask head bosses, 7 in. high; and a Venetian Bottle, with white spirals.....£4 10 0
A pair of old Venetian Cups and Saucers, decorated in white twists from top to bottom; and a Venetian plate, with similar decoration in spirals.....£2 12 0
An old Venetian moulded Vase, with cross white stripes; an old Venetian Standing Bowl, a Cup, and a Lemon.....£2 0 0
A Venetian gourd-shaped Bottle; a similar Oil Jug, both with white decoration; and three other pieces of Venetian glass.....£0 14 0
A large English Water Bottle and Glass, with red decoration; a deep blue Bristol Bowl, with irregular white lines; and a Flask, mottled in red and blue.....£1 12 0
A deep blue Water Bottle, Stand and Glass, with gold bands; a blue Trinket Stand; a deep blue Flask; and thirteen other pieces of whole coloured ruby, green, purple, and blue glass.....£0 18 0
Three large Rolling Pins, a Pestle, and a green and white twisted glass Puzzle.....£1 18 0
A moulded and twisted Bottle, with applied blue bands, and Stopper; a green barrel-shaped Jar and Cover, 13½ in. high; and a Bowl, with applied green decoration.....£1 12 0
A pair of ruby Tazze, with white lozenge-shaped cuttings, 8 in. diam.; and a pair of ruby Vases, cut in white flowers, etc., 6¾ in. high.....£2 0 0
Two ruby Scent Bottles and Stoppers, with cut white circles; a blue and white Goblet; a similar Cup; a ruby and white Cup, and an amber Decanter and Stopper.....£2 8 0
A set of eight Venetian Goblets and eight Wine Glasses, blue open bases, the bowls in opaque cross stripes.....£1 4 0
A Nailsea Flask, four Bristol Balls, a Candlestick, two Jars and Covers, Scent Bottle and Stopper, and five other pieces.....£0 11 0
A pair of blue Candlesticks, with white cutting; two Inkpots of a similar type; five cut Goblets, a ruby Bristol Pipe, and a square Decanter and Stopper.....£2 12 0
THE RIVERSIDE PRESS LIMITED EDINBURGH
End of Project Gutenberg's Old Glass and How to Collect it, by J. Sydney Lewis