Cambridge Glass

April's A.G.C.A.P. Dealer of the Month is Paul Todaro.  Paul has been a member of the Antique Gallery family for 20+ years.  Paul specializes in the hard to find, unique antiques & collectibles as well as having quite a selection and knowledge of trains.  Please visit his booth located between Aisle 3 North and Aisle 4 North Booth F-10 - G-11.Look at all of this nice glassware items he has!

Next, our ASK OUR EXPERTS Appraisal Fair will be held Saturday June 16, 2012 from 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.  Cost per verbal appraisal will be $5.00 per item with NO LIMIT on the number of items you bring!  Keep checking back for more info!


No Bllog Special this week but check back next week.  Here is a nice article on Cambridge Glass.

Thanks to Pamela Wiggins About.comAntiques


- Cambridge began as National Glass Company making pressed glass wares in the early 1900s.
- Cambridge began using its well-known “C” within a triangle mark in the 1920s. Not all Cambridge pieces are marked, however.
- Many of the most interesting pieces and popular patterns from a collecting standpoint were introduced in the 1930s and sold briskly well into the 1940s.
Cambridge Company History
It wasn't so long ago that the well-dressed table or buffet included a selection of elegantly etched stemware and accessories. If these pieces came from the Cambridge Glass Company, they were sure to be of unsurpassed quality.
Founded as National Glass Company, the earliest glassware items attributed to the Cambridge, Ohio factory were actually heavy pressed patterns rather than handmade etched glass. The company used the mark "Near Cut," according to the National Cambridge Collectors (NCC) Web site. These early 20th century glass gems impersonated popular styles of hand cut glass that had become too costly to produce although the look was still in demand.
After running upon some hard times during the early 1900s, the company's manager, Arthur J. Bennett, raised the funds required to purchase the factory in 1907. Bennett continued to refine and grow what became the Cambridge Glass Company under his ownership.
The Birth of a Familiar Mark and Favored Styles
During the company's expansion in the 1920s, Benett introduced the well-known C within a triangle trademark. This mark doesn't show up on every item that left the Cambridge factory, so when collectors run across a signed piece they enjoy the find even more. A mark doesn't necessarily add value to the commonly recognized patterns, however.
By the 1930s, Cambridge Glass Company introduced some of its most interesting wares from a collecting standpoint. Throughout the '40s, homemakers entertained and decorated with the most popular Cambridge patterns. From the famed Rosepoint etch to the cool blue of the Caprice line, collectors clamor to own these sparkling treasures today.
Cambridge Lives on After Factory Closing
The manufacture of these popular glass items continued into the early '50s when business began to slow. Although Cambridge won national acclaim in 1950 for the modern design of its Square pattern, the company closed in 1954. The entity simply couldn’t compete as the demand for handmade glass decreased and suppliers of machine made glass began to dominate the industry. After a brief reopening, Cambridge closed shop for the final time in 1958.
Imperial Glass Company eventually acquired the Cambridge factory and molds in 1960. When Imperial went bankrupt in the early '80s, many of the molds, all of the etching plates and numerous other assets once belonging to Cambridge were purchased by the NCC and reside in the organization's museum today.
Even if you don’t own a formal dining suite, using fine glass on the table can add an air of sophistication to any setting. Entertaining with elegant glass is always appropriate, especially for bridal showers and other special occasions. Even a few pieces mixed in with whiteware or a favorite china pattern works well in most settings. And, elegant glass can be used in other areas of the home as well.
A beautiful Cambridge platter makes and excellent dresser tray to corral clutter. A footed water glass and matching pitcher add a touch of class to a bedside table. And any large bowl can hold a multitude of objects ranging from mirrored decorative spheres to a collection of old marbles. Scouring decorating magazines for more ideas like these will give you an excuse to bring some elegance into your home, no matter how casual your lifestyle may be.

Remember OUT WITH THE NEW AND IN WITH THE OLD     BUY ANTIQUES!

Fenton Glass

April's A.G.C.A.P. Dealer of the Month is Paul Todaro.  Paul has been a member of the Antique Gallery family for 20+ years.  Paul specializes in the hard to find, unique antiques & collectibles as well as having quite a selection and knowledge of trains.  Please visit his booth located between Aisle 3 North and Aisle 4 North Booth F-10 - G-11.

He has some real nice trains.  Remember Father's Day is not far off!

Next, our ASK OUR EXPERTS Appraisal Fair will be held Saturday June 16, 2012 from 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.  Cost per verbal appraisal will be $5.00 per item with NO LIMIT on the number of items you bring!  Keep checking back for more info!

The item shown above is this weeks BLOG SPECIAL.  This beautiful 1890's Mahogany China Cabinet/Wine Cabinet/Secretary can be yours for only $2,289.00.  This is a gorgeous statement piece and can be found on aisle 3 north booth E-9.  Code word is "CASE"  Don't let this one slip away!

Now I would like to share an article I found about Fenton Glass

Thanks to Pamela Wiggins About.comAntiques
- Fenton was a glass decorating company first, and then began producing its own glassware lines in 1905.
- Mimicking the iridescent wares of Tiffany and Stuben in the early 1900s, Fenton made the first pieces we now know as “carnival” glass.
- Fenton’s milk glass lines were very popular during the 1950s, making them collectible but not extremely valuable today. Some of the company’s “crest” lines, especially Ebony Crest pieces, can bring higher prices as do some of Fenton’s earlier wares.
- Fenton has produced some of their lines for many years. While the newer pieces aren’t technically reproductions, they aren’t “antiques” either. Items made after 1973 will bear a raised Fenton mark in the glass.
Fenton History
This Williamstown, W. Va. firm got its start as a glass decorating company in 1905 painting decorations on blanks made by other manufacturers. As demand for the company's wares increased, they began to produce their own glassware lines in 1907.
During their early years, Fenton found inspiration through the designs of glass masters Tiffany and Steuben. As a result, they introduced iridescent glass collectors now know as "carnival" glass. Fenton went on to produce over 130 patterns of this popular glassware, according toSchroeder's Antiques Price Guide.
Over the years they also manufactured custard, chocolate, opalescent, and stretch glass among others. And, to keep the factory running during the lean depression and World War II years, they made utilitarian items such as mixing bowls and juice reamers.
In the late '40s when many glass companies were going out of business, Fenton remained at the top through the dedication of family members running the business. By 1986, a third generation of Fentons took charge of the company and continue to make glassware collected around the world.
Hobnail, Ruffles and Crests
The popularity of milk glass in the early '50s led the company to develop a line of white hobnail glass. It was so well-liked during this time, they could count on it as a sure seller for many years to come. Now, while these pieces remain collectible, they are usually reasonably priced on the secondary market.
The unique ruffles edges found on many Fenton wares lent themselves perfectly to the creation of their "Crest" lines. Opaque glass was used to form the base of these items while a clear or colored border around the ruffled edge added a touch of interest. Pieces with a clear ruffle were named "Silver Crest," while those with a bright green border were called "Emerald Crest." Other colors applied in the same fashion are popular with collectors including the "Snow Crest" and “Ebony Crest” pieces with reversed effect along the edges in opaque white or black.
Fenton’s Marks and Lack Thereof
Many of their newer creations made since 1973 are already very collectible. These pieces are marked with an oval shaped raised logo Fenton molded directly into the glass. The pieces produced before 1973 were marked with various stick-on paper labels which usually wore away with cleaning and handling.
The Fenton Art Glass Company website suggests researching these older items using their Fenton history books available through Fenton dealers or by mail order on their site. These references include a variety of pieces so users can match up the items they currently own with pictures shown in the books. Once a piece is identified, then research can be done to obtain value and assess the popularity of that particular item in terms of color, design and decoration. A number of other books on Fenton are also available through online booksellers, including several excellent reference guides authored by Margaret and Kenn Whitmyer.
Visit the Museum
As the largest producer of handmade colored glass in this country, Fenton encourages visitors to learn more about their operation, and handcrafted glass in general, through a visit to their facilities and museum still located in West Virginia.
Check back next week and remember

OUT WITH THE NEW AND IN WITH THE OLD  BUY ANTIQUES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

NEW DATE FOR ASK OUR EXPERTS

First I would like to inform you of the new date for the Ask Our Experts appraisal fair.  The new date is Saturday June 16, 2012 from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.  We are sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused, but a few of our experts are unavailable for the original date.

I would also like to apologize for no posting last week.  I had a death in the family.  Blog specials will start again next week.

April's A.G.C.A.P. Dealer of the Month is Paul Todaro.  Paul has been a member of the Antique Gallery family for 20+ years.  Paul specializes in the hard to find, unique antiques & collectibles as well as having quite a selection and knowledge of trains.  Please visit his booth located between Aisle 3 North and Aisle 4 North Booth F-10 - G-11.

Thank you to all who came out and supported our Bake Sale.  It was a huge success.

Now here is an article on Queen Anne Style Furniture

Queen Anne Style Furniture

American furniture crafted in the Queen Anne style dates from the 1720s to approximately 1750, although the ruler it is named after died in 1714. This style falls within the Colonial period.
Furniture made in the Queen Anne style is often difficult to date exactly since it sometimes blends elements from the earlier William and Mary style and later Chippendale style, according to American Furniture: Tables, Chairs, Sofas and Beds by Marvin D. Schwartz.
Queen Anne Style Legs:
Marking a shift toward elegance and refinement in American furniture manufacture, Queen Anne style pieces were the first to incorporate the cabriole leg. Most pieces, even pedestal accent tables and bed frames, featured a cabriole-shaped leg even if on a shorter scale than those used on chairs and tables.
Queen Anne Style Feet:
The pad foot (illustrated in the photo shown above) is the most common found in Queen Anne style pieces, but spade and trifid feet were used as well. These replaced the heavy look of the ball foot used previously in William and Mary styling.
Woods Used in Queen Anne Style Pieces:
Many Queen Anne style pieces were crafted of walnut, but cherry and maple were used as well. Imported mahogany became popular with furniture craftsmen working in this style around 1750, according to Schwartz.
Other Queen Anne Style Features:
Simple fan and shell carvings embellished many pieces.
Chairs frequently have yoked-shaped top rails and back splats have a solid vase shape. Seats most often feature a horseshoe shape.
Space-saving features such as the tilt top and hinged drop leaf were often incorporated into Queen Anne style tables.
Upholstered pieces such as sofas and settees are rarely found in original Queen Anne style, but are common in later reproductions.
Later Queen Anne Styles:
Many reproductions have been produced in the Queen Anne style since the 1750s. While some of these are old enough to be considered true antiques, in comparison they do not have the finely crafted details found in early Queen Anne style pieces.
Even today Queen Anne influence is found in formal furniture design and manufacturing, especially the use of cabriole legs and pad feet.

Check back next week and remember...........................

Out with the new and in with the old..........Buy Antiques