Hallmark Glass
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 1978 HALLMARK KEEPSAKE GLASS ORNAMENT Nature ornament $1.99 Time Remaining: 23h 48m |
 Hallmark Star Wars SHP2011 Size Matters Shot Glass $5.99 Time Remaining: 29d 20h 14m Buy It Now for only: $5.99 |
 HALLMARK DESIGNER KEEPSAKE Patterns Of Christmas Glass $0.99 Time Remaining: 1d 2h 54m Buy It Now for only: $5.00 |
 Hallmark Glass OrnamentMother Tree Trimmer Collection $20.00 Time Remaining: 29d 21h 58m Buy It Now for only: $20.00 |
 Hallmark 2009 Friends Are Therapists You Can Drink With Wine Glass Ornament $24.95 Time Remaining: 1d 7h 29m |
 Hallmark holiday glass ornament Peanuts $9.99 Time Remaining: 13d 7m Buy It Now for only: $9.99 |
 2011 Hallmark Darling Baby Glass Baby Bottle NIB $4.99 Time Remaining: 1d 7h 35m Buy It Now for only: $5.50 |
 Kurt S Adler EXCLUSIVE 2010 RUDOLPH the RED NOSED REINDEER Glass Ornament $4.99 Time Remaining: 2d 7h 30m |
 Hallmark MICKEY MOUSE Christmas Glass Ornament NEW FREE SHIPPING $11.99 Time Remaining: 29d 19h 23m Buy It Now for only: $11.99 |
 Hallmark 2011 JOLLY SANTA Glass Ornament $4.99 Time Remaining: 2d 7h 30m |
 HALLMARK 2000 BLOWN GLASS BACKPACK BEAR MINT IN BOX $19.95 Time Remaining: 27d 19h 12m Buy It Now for only: $19.95 |
 Hallmark 2011 THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS Glass Ornament $19.99 Time Remaining: 2d 7h 30m |
 Barack Obama yes we can 2 1 2 glass ornament 899 NIP $6.95 Time Remaining: 25d 2h 22m Buy It Now for only: $6.95 |
 HALLMARK CARDINAL SONG 2010 CHRISTMAS GLASS KEEPSAKE ORNAMENTS BIRD $5.00 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 2d 8h 27m |
 HALLMARK FROSTY FREINDS 2 BLOWN GLASS 1998 ORNAMENTS NEW IN BOX MADE IN POLAND $15.99 Time Remaining: 3d 1h 24m Buy It Now for only: $19.99 |
 2002 Hallmark Thank You Ball Glass Ornament NIB $6.99 Time Remaining: 29d 7h 25m Buy It Now for only: $6.99 |
 2010 Hallmark Tip Top Snowman Glass Ornament $8.99 Time Remaining: 3d 9h 7m Buy It Now for only: $11.99 |
 HALLMARK APPLE TREE SNOWGLOBE MARJOLEIN BASTIN NEW SNOW GLOBE GLASS $4.24 Time Remaining: 17d 5h 17m Buy It Now for only: $4.24 |
 4 1 2 dia glass ornament red pink frost clear pattern mint $2.99 Time Remaining: 3d 20h 32m |
 HALLMARK CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT 2011 DARLING BABY GLASS BOTTLE $6.48 Time Remaining: 12d 9h 21m Buy It Now for only: $6.48 |
 Hallmark Orniments 3 Glass Angels and a Cup of Love Heart Shaped Mug $2.99 Time Remaining: 3d 23h 15m |
 Hallmark Dated 2006 Babys First Christmas Handcrafted and Glass Ornament $49.99 Time Remaining: 5d 7h 33m |
 Hallmark Pink Glass Wish Momento Treasure Jar $6.99 Time Remaining: 3d 21h 25m Buy It Now for only: $6.99 |
 HALLMARK CLUB EXCLUSIVE STAR OF BELIEF ORNAMENT 2003 GLASS METAL BEAUTIFUL $7.99 Time Remaining: 5d 23h 44m |
 Hallmark Keepsake Blown Glass Ornament Festival of Fruit $12.99 Time Remaining: 3d 17h 37m Buy It Now for only: $12.99 |
 HALLMARK 2010 TIP TOP SNOWMAN BLOWN GLASS ORNAMENT NIB $7.50 Time Remaining: 6d 18h 14m |
 HALLMARK miniature glass CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS NEW 15 In Package Feather tree sz $8.95 Time Remaining: 25d 20h 56m Buy It Now for only: $8.95 |
 Cardinal Song Glass Hallmark Ornament 2010 $5.50 Time Remaining: 6d 20h 5m |
 Lot of Marilyn Monroe memorabiliaWall Clock License Plate Glass Coasters $7.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 7h 28m |
 Hallmark holiday glass ornament Frosty the Snowman $9.99 Time Remaining: 13d 21m Buy It Now for only: $9.99 |
 Star Trek drinking glass Kirk $3.99 Time Remaining: 21h 54m |
 1981 Hallmark Mary Hamilton Glass Ball Ornament $6.99 Time Remaining: 29d 7h 28m Buy It Now for only: $6.99 |
 1981 HALLMARK KEEPSAKE GLASS ORNAMENT LET US ADORE HIM MIB VINTAGE $2.99 Time Remaining: 23h 48m |
 2010 HALLMARK ORNAMENT CARDINAL SONG GLASS ORNAMENT UNIQUE $8.50 Time Remaining: 6d 6h 13m Buy It Now for only: $8.50 |
 HALLMARK GRANDPARENTS GLASS ORNAMENT 1980 $0.99 Time Remaining: 1d 2h 49m Buy It Now for only: $5.00 |
 HALLMARK GRANDPARENTS GLASS ORNAMENT 1980 $0.99 Time Remaining: 1d 2h 53m Buy It Now for only: $5.00 |
 The Thomas Kinkade Wizard of Oz Stained Glass Panorama 1 of 5000 $221.94 Time Remaining: 20d 5h Buy It Now for only: $221.94 |
 Vintage 2 Hallmark Commemorative Glass Ornaments 1984 tinsel starburst inserts $4.95 Time Remaining: 1d 7h 58m |
 Hallmark Disney holiday glass ornament Winnie the Pooh $9.99 Time Remaining: 13d 28m Buy It Now for only: $9.99 |
 Hallmark Christmas Ornament Grandparents glass ball $3.99 Time Remaining: 1d 8h 3m |
 Hallmark Ornament 2010 Glad Tidings Stain Glass Window $9.99 Time Remaining: 22h 22m Buy It Now for only: $9.99 |
 HALLMARK VOTIVE GLASS HOLDERS SET 3 NIB $8.99 Time Remaining: 1d 9h 52m Buy It Now for only: $14.99 |
 Wizard of Oz Heirloom Glass Ornaments set of 3 from The Bradford Editions $27.50 Time Remaining: 2d 42m |
 Hallmark 2010 Our Christmas Together Glass box $8.99 Time Remaining: 2d 9h 54m Buy It Now for only: $8.99 |
 1991 HALLMARK GLASS Peanuts CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT MIB Snoopy Gang Doghouse decorate $35.00 Time Remaining: 2d 3h 13m Buy It Now for only: $40.00 |
 Hallmark 2011 Santa Claus Martini Glass Ornament $9.99 Time Remaining: 24d 2h 39m Buy It Now for only: $9.99 |
 Hallmark Hand Painted Satin Glass Candle Holders $0.99 Time Remaining: 2d 3h 14m |
 2005 Hallmark Keepsake Ornament Joyful Bells Glass Ball $8.50 Time Remaining: 16d 8h 47m Buy It Now for only: $8.50 |
 Hallmark Frosty Friends Two Piece Set 2000 Blown Glass New In Box $14.99 Time Remaining: 2d 6h 36m |
 Hallmark 1989 The Gift Bringers St Nicholas Glass Ornament 1st in series of 5 $0.99 Time Remaining: 2d 16h 58m Buy It Now for only: $2.00 |
 WIZARD OF OZ MUSICAL GLASS DOMETHE HOUSE BEGAN TO PITCH $18.95 Time Remaining: 1d 54m Buy It Now for only: $18.95 |
 HALLMARK CLASSIC POOH GLASS GALLERY JUST A LITTLE HOW DO YOU DO PIGLET TINY PIC $0.99 Time Remaining: 3d 2h 36m |
 3 HALLMARK BETSEY CLARK Keepsake CHRISTMAS TREE ORNAMENTS GLASS used $4.95 Time Remaining: 21d 2h 56m Buy It Now for only: $4.95 |
 Marjolein Bastin Natures Journey Happiness Floral Box Three Black Glass Trays $49.99 Time Remaining: 3d 6h 10m |
 Hallmark Shoebox HFC 403 Wine Glass $5.99 Time Remaining: 25d 21h 21m Buy It Now for only: $5.99 |
 1980 Christmas SON Glass ball ornament Hallmark $5.00 Time Remaining: 3d 21h 30m |
 Marjolein Bastin Candle Lantern Chocolate metal glass cover bluejay 11tall $14.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 3d 21h 57m |
 1991 Hallmark Glass Ornament Grandparents $4.00 Time Remaining: 2h 34m Buy It Now for only: $4.00 |
 2007 Hallmark Keepsake Ornament THE GLASS SLIPPER Disneys Cinderella $9.99 Time Remaining: 4d 10h |
 Time for Love 1990 Hallmark Christmas Ornaments Cardinals Glass $4.99 Time Remaining: 26d 16h 19m Buy It Now for only: $4.99 |
 Hallmark 1988 Grandson Glass Ball $8.99 Time Remaining: 4d 10h 42m |
 Hallmark Waiting for Santa 2008 Rockwell Limited Glass $9.99 Time Remaining: 4d 46m Buy It Now for only: $9.99 |
 Lot of 2 Hallmark Peanuts Glass Ornaments $45.00 Time Remaining: 4d 10h 42m |
 1991 hallmark keepsake Glass globe Ornament peanuts charlie brown $12.99 Time Remaining: 4d 11h 50m Buy It Now for only: $18.99 |
 1985 Locomotive TRAIN GLASS ORNAMENT Hallmark MIB Grandsons CHOO CHOO NEW $6.50 Time Remaining: 19d 22h 15m Buy It Now for only: $6.50 |
 Hallmark Bears Having Tea White Milk Glass Cannister $9.99 Time Remaining: 5d 7h 26m |
 Hallmark 1991 From Our Home to Yours Glass Ornament NEW $5.09 Time Remaining: 4d 19h 26m Buy It Now for only: $5.09 |
 Hallmark Keepsake OrnamCrown Reflections Set of 2 Blown Glass Ornaments MIB $19.95 Time Remaining: 5d 10h 24m |
 Hallmark Disney holiday glass ornament Mickey Mouse $9.99 Time Remaining: 12d 23h 49m Buy It Now for only: $9.99 |
 Hallmark Keepsake Ornament Crown Reflections Set of 2 Blown Glass Ornaments MIB $19.95 Time Remaining: 5d 10h 24m |
 A GREAT GLASS TIC TAC TOE GAME GLASS BOARD AND 4 EACH WITCH 4 CHARACTER $10.99 Time Remaining: 6d 2h 43m |
 2011 Hallmark Jolly Santa Claus Glass Christmas Ornament $4.97 Time Remaining: 2d 4h 49m Buy It Now for only: $4.97 |
 W O Z TOTO GLASS IT IS A BLUE FLATE BOTTOM GLASS MARKED S CO $9.99 Time Remaining: 6d 2h 46m Buy It Now for only: $11.99 |
 1995 HALLMARK MARY ENGELBREIT GLASS BALL SANTA CLAUS ORNAMENT NEW IN BOX $4.49 Time Remaining: 2h 21m Buy It Now for only: $4.49 |
 Hallmark Ornament 1985 Penquin Good Friends Frosted Glass Ball $12.99 Time Remaining: 5d 13h 46m Buy It Now for only: $14.99 |
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What is This Stuff Mr. Carnival Man?
"What is this anyway, Mister?" I asked as he handed it to me. I had just won it by tossing a penny over a wooden barrier which bounced around seemingly without direction until it finally landed in the middle of it somehow.
The crusty old guy in charge of the stall of a local carnival squinted at me and said. "Why it's a fine piece of glassware your mother will be proud to display in her kitchen cabinet, son. Then he winked and leaned forward toward me slightly and whispered, "But around here us folks call it carny glass."
That was a long time ago, but it was my personal introduction to what is now called Carnival Glass: a small marigold colored candy dish with an iridescent quality to it. The hallmark of Carnival Glass is that iridescent sheen over a colorful piece of art glass in various designs and shapes. I took my candy dish home where it did find a home in the kitchen cabinet, mostly prized because I had won it at a local carnival in my hometown of Baltimore.
Years later after I had grown and moved away from the old neighborhood, I was reminded of it as I was rummaging around an antique shop in search of some old collectible beer trays. Amidst a fine display of old glassware was an assemblage of carnival glass pieces. Vases, candy dishes and composites in various colors, but all with that iridescent shine were neatly displayed.
The prices ran the gamut from inexpensive to very expensive and I must confess I could not tell why one piece was more expensive than another. I found them all interesting though.
My introduction to these pieces had come so long ago in a local carnival set up in a vacant lot between two stretches of row houses in Baltimore. That introduction had not been notable but now as I gazed at the display in front of me, my curiosity got the best of me. That and the sudden flashback to my childhood sent me back to do a little research on these pieces.
I went to my local library to find out more about them. Guess I could have fired up the computer but I felt that I preferred the ambiance of a quiet corner in the old library where I could sit down with a few good reference books and go back in time so to speak.
The librarian pointed me in the right direction-to the reference books and the quiet corner. There's always something that touches my heart about a dedicated librarian, as well a fine spaghetti dinner in Little Italy-the latter would have to wait.
I pulled out a few books from the shelf and sat down in an old leather chair. My mission was not to become an expert on the stuff but just to get enough knowledge to understand what they were all about. I was fascinated by the iridescent shine these pieces had. Also, I did not want to feel stupid the next time I was standing in front of a collection of this glassware. Mission accomplished.
I suppose one can say the real beginning of Carnival Glass dates back to the discovery of ancient glass, mostly Roman glass which when discovered buried in ruins had a natural beautiful iridescent finish, caused by the interaction of chemicals in the ground over time.
In the latter part of the 19th century several manufacturers, most notably Tiffany, tried to duplicate the silken finish by dissolving chemicals in the molten glass followed by various stages of re-heating with a final spray of a metallic solution before final firing.
The beautiful art glass pieces achieved by this process were widely admired but they were definitely not in the price range of the common person. Not until the mass production era of the early 20th century when pressed glass was introduced, did someone produce silken finished pieces for the budget minded masses.
In 1905 Frank Fenton started the Fenton Glass Company with his brother John. By 1907 they had produced a cheaper alternative to the high priced iridized pieces of other manufacturers by spraying the pressed glass with metallic salts before the final firing stage. Although these pieces were mass produced, they were hand finished with various hand formed edges. Fenton referred to these iridized pieces as 'Venetian Art.'
The home of Carnival Glass became the USA as the Fenton Company became part of the big five American manufactures of Carnival Glass. The other four were the Northwood Glass Company, the Imperial Glass Company, the Millersburg Glass Company, and the Dugan Glass Company which later became the Diamond Glass Company. Of all five, the Fenton Glass Company remains the only manufacturer still in existence today, although they stopped manufacturing Carnival Glass from the early 1930's through 1970.
The heyday of production was from 1907 until 1921 which has become known as the classical period of production. Sometimes referred to as 'poor man's Tiffany,' these pieces were the rage through 1918 after which interest began to fade. By the beginning of the 1930's American factories had stopped making them and production shifted to foreign manufacturers.
It wasn't until the late 1950's that the early pieces became desirable collectibles. Unfortunately, most manufacturers did not mark their pieces for the most part and many copied their competitor's designs making it difficult for even experts to ascertain the origin of a piece. One notable exception was the Northwood Glass Company which marked its glass pieces with an underlined and circled 'N.'
During the early 1900's these attractive inexpensive pieces of art glass were given away as prizes at carnivals. However, the term 'Carnival Glass' did not come into existence until the late 1950's.when collectors became interested in them. Then their heritage as give away prizes at carnivals earned them the name we know them by today.
During the heyday of production, these beautiful pieces could be purchased for under a $1 and came in various shapes including plates, bowls, tumblers, glasses, vases, compotes, pitchers, decanters, wine glasses, candy dishes, creamers, baskets, candlesticks, and various other specialty designs.
Colors ranged from marigold, the first color produced to green, blue, amethyst, white, red, and pastel shades. Today, marigold is the least desirable while the pastels are the most desirable. Designs can be found in floral, fruit, and animals. Grape and cable designs are very popular.
Besides the color, shape and the design of the pieces, these pieces were produced in several finishes: satin, radium, pastel and electric-satin being the most common.
The satin finish is smooth with a glow. Radium has a shiny watery and transparent appearance. The pastel pieces, produced mostly by the Northwood Glass Company, exhibit very light colors. Finally, the electric finishes have a bright mirror-like finish applied mostly to dark colors.
As stated, even collectors have problems tracing the manufacturers of these pieces. If the bug gets you and you become seriously interested in collecting this glassware, you should invest some time in doing some serious research. But don't do it in a lumpy leather chair as I did.
Flea markets, antique shops and of course, eBay, are good places to find Carnival Glass pieces. Be sure you have a good basic understanding of these pieces before you start hitting the flea markets. Recently produced pieces obviously aren't as valuable as old ones; and of course, there are plenty of fakes around, so buyer beware. Value is determined by age, manufacturer, condition, finish, design and color.
But even the inexpensive pieces look good on any shelf. Your own personal collection should be just that -- a collection representing your personal tastes, regardless of cost. I have an inexpensive marigold candy dish in my collection that I'm quite fond of.
About the Author
Frank Arcilesi is the author of the 5 star romance/drama novel: Every Day a Bird Learns How to Fly, a novel set in the nostalgic 1950's (www.abirdlearnshowtofly.com) available in ebook format on Amazon Kindle, www.smashwords.com, and in printed version on Amazon.com. He has also authored several short stories -- sci-fi and humorous -- also available on Amazon Kindle.