Fostoria Glass Company: A Guide to Collectors

Fostoria Glass Company was a prominent American glass manufacturer that operated from 1891 to 1986. The company was known for producing high-quality glassware, particularly in the Art Nouveau and Art Deco styles.

One of the most notable aspects of Fostoria Glass is its extensive range of patterns, with over 1,000 different designs produced during its history. This variety has made Fostoria Glass a sought-after collector's item.

Fostoria Glass is highly prized by collectors for its beauty, durability, and rarity. Many of its pieces are now highly valuable, making it a worthwhile investment for serious collectors.

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The Fostoria Glass Company was incorporated in West Virginia in July 1887. The founders were drawn to Fostoria, Ohio, to exploit the newly discovered natural gas.

Fostoria's first plant was located on South Vine Street, and the town was served by multiple railroads. The factory's furnace had a capacity of 12 pots, and originally employed 125 workers.

Production of tableware, bar goods, and lamps began on December 15, 1887. Many of the employees hired for the startup were from the Wheeling area.

The company's first president, Lucian B. Martin, had been a sales executive at the Hobbs, Brockunier and Company glass plant in Wheeling. William S. Brady, the company's secretary, had worked as a financial manager there and more recently managed a glass plant in Wellsburg, West Virginia.

The founders of Fostoria Glass Company had gained their experience from working at established companies such as Belmont Glass Company and J. H. Hobbs, Brockunier and Company. They recruited employees from these companies to help launch the new venture.

Fostoria produced its first line of glass bottles, shakers, and utilitarian wares within six months of breaking ground in 1888. The company moved to Moundsville, West Virginia, in 1891, where it operated until 1986.

In 1915, Fostoria introduced its best-selling pattern, "American 2056", which consisted of high-quality, thick, transparent glass with a clearly defined ice-cube pattern on the external surface.

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Collecting Fostoria glass can be a fun and rewarding hobby, but it's essential to understand the factors that affect its value. American 2056, a popular pattern, has been widely imitated, making identification tricky for collectors.

Fostoria pieces are often decorated with various patterns, including the Cupid pattern featuring human figures, and the Camden pattern with a twisted linear design. The value of Fostoria glass depends on the pattern, number of pieces, and their condition.

High-quality Fostoria glass pieces can sell for around $20 or more, with some items selling for closer to $50. This dark blue American pattern relish tray sold for $24.99 on eBay, but its value is lower due to the pattern's wide availability.

Completed service trays and glassware sets can bring in $100-$500 at auction, as collectors often pay more for the convenience of having a complete set. For instance, someone paid $350 for a 150-piece collection of clear American glass in 2022.

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Fostoria glass is known for its delicate patterns, making them popular among collectors. These patterns include Versailles, June, Navarre, Chintz, Vernon, and Romance, among others.

Collectors often seek out Fostoria's clear crystal glassware, including the durable "Colony" pattern and "Lariat" with its curlicue rims. However, the company also created etched glassware patterns in lovely shades of pink, green, and yellow.

Fostoria's colored glassware mixes well with fine china patterns, making them popular with collectors and mixers of old and new. This is especially true since most of these shades are highly sought after.

In general, Fostoria colored glassware will sell for a higher price than clear pieces in the same pattern. This is because the colored glassware is harder to find and more desirable.

Fostoria glass is known for its pattern variety, making it easier to identify vintage pieces. By matching pattern descriptions and images, you can quickly pick out a vintage Fostoria piece.

Some popular Fostoria patterns to collect include the Cupid pattern, which features human figures, and the Camden pattern, which consists of a twisted linear pattern inside two weaved frames.

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The Fostoria Glass Company was a prominent glass manufacturer that operated for nearly 100 years, starting its operations in Fostoria, Ohio in 1887.

The company's lifespan was marked by its notable presence in the glassware industry, with a reputation for producing high-quality crystal glassware.

Fostoria's glassware was known for being both luxurious and relatively affordable, making it accessible to many Americans.

Fostoria Glass Company was a renowned American glass manufacturer that produced exquisite crystal glassware in a variety of etched and pressed patterns.

The company's luxurious glassware was relatively affordable, making it a favorite among many Americans. Every president from Dwight Eisenhower to Ronald Reagan specially ordered their own Fostoria glassware sets, a testament to the company's excellence.

Fostoria's glassware was characterized by its clear crystal glass and beautiful patterns, which were often etched or pressed into the glass. This unique style has made Fostoria glassware highly collectible and sought after by enthusiasts.

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In its heyday, Fostoria Glass Company was the premier American glass manufacturer, running for nearly 100 years from 1887 to 1986. The company's factory was sold to Lancaster Colony Corporation in 1983, which ultimately shut down the factory in 1986.

Fostoria's glassware was often marked with the company's name and pattern number, making it easier to identify and date the pieces. This information is crucial for collectors and enthusiasts who want to learn more about their Fostoria glassware.

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Fostoria's Craftsmanship was truly exceptional. They took great pride in their proprietary glass formulas, vast catalog of styles, and array of vibrant colors.

Fostoria was focused on Quality and Innovation, which set them apart from their competitors. They crafted many glass formulas, one of which included phosphorus impurities that produce a faint yellow iridescent glow when using black UV light in a darkened room.

Charles E Beam, who ran the company's mold shop, was later added to the Board of Directors and designed dishes with animals as the covers, including the rare and coveted dolphin cover.

Beam also patented the technique for his glass mold that made small holes in chandeliers and candelabras pieces, a significant innovation in glassmaking.

Fostoria's first piece of glass pressed at their Ohio Plant was a salt dip in the pattern number 93 style.

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If you're serious about learning about Fostoria, I recommend checking out Hazel Marie Weatherman's book, Fostoria: Its First Fifty Years.

This out-of-print book is a treasure trove of information, including early catalog reprints that provide clues about the oldest pieces made by the respected glassware company.

Hazel Marie Weatherman was a noted Depression glass author who wrote some of the first serious books on collecting Depression glass and elegant glass.

You can find a secondhand copy of Weatherman's book through used booksellers and online auctions, making it a must-have for true Fostoria fans or any vintage dealer looking to identify this type of old glassware for resale.

The Fostoria Glass Company has a rich history, and if you're interested in learning more, here are some resources to check out.

The Fostoria Glass Society is a great place to start, offering a wealth of information on Fostoria glass, including its history, patterns, and values.

If you're looking for more in-depth knowledge, the Fostoria Ohio Glass Association is another excellent resource, providing detailed information on Fostoria glass and its place in American history.

In the 1940s, Fostoria Glass even produced a 27-minute film called "Crystal Clear" to showcase its products and craftsmanship.

If you're new to collecting Fostoria glass, here are some key resources to get you started:

These organizations have done a great job of documenting Fostoria glass, and their resources are a valuable addition to any collector's library.