Macbeth-Evans Glass Company History and Product Line

Macbeth-Evans Glass Company has a rich history dating back to 1857 when the company was founded by Thomas Evans in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The company's early success was largely due to its innovative approach to glassmaking, which included the introduction of the first automatic bottle-making machine in 1879.

Macbeth-Evans Glass Company was known for producing a wide range of glass products, including tableware, containers, and fiberglass.

Their product line included crystal glassware, which was highly prized for its clarity and durability, and was often used in fine dining settings.

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The Macbeth-Evans Glass Company was established in 1899 after a merger between the glass companies of Thomas Evans and George A. Macbeth.

The company was based out of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and operated multiple offices in the region, but its most significant glass works was located in Charleroi, Pennsylvania.

Macbeth-Evans Glass Company quickly absorbed the American Chimney Lamp Company to gain control of M. J. Owens's patents on the Owens glass-blowing machine.

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Here are some key dates in the company's history:

Macbeth-Evans Glass Company was famous for making depression glass, particularly the Monax line, which was an opal glass with exceptional heat resistance and strength.

The company's products were not marked with a company name, but usually had a design of concentric rings on the foot with the words "Made in USA" appearing near the central rings.

Macbeth-Evans Glass Company continued to operate under Corning Glass Works until it was sold to World Kitchen in 1998.

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Macbeth-Evans produced three main colors of white and cream glass: Monax, a pure white; Cremax, a rich creamy color; and Ivrene, a darker color.

The company made Petalware in all three colors, with Monax being more common, then Cremax, then Ivrene.

Macbeth-Evans glass is known for its thinness, which often gives it an opalescent blue edge, but it's surprisingly sturdy.

The company made very little American Sweetheart in anything other than pink or Monax white, and when they did, it was often in the darker Ivrene color.

Macbeth-Evans glass is often found in vintage sets, such as the Pink Depression Glass Ribbed Optic Pitcher with a matching lid, which holds 84oz.

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MacBeth Evans produced three main colors of translucent white and cream glass during the depression era: Monax, Cremax, and Ivrene.

The company experimented with different shades of white, creating unique colors that were distinct from each other. Monax is a pure white color, while Cremax has a rich creamy hue.

Cremax was designed to resemble china, as American housewives were more familiar with china dishes than glass dinnerware. This was a deliberate design choice to make the glassware more appealing.

Ivrene is a darker color, which was produced in smaller quantities than Monax and Cremax. It's interesting to note that Ivrene is scarce, making it harder to find.

MacBeth Evans made Petalware in all three colors, with Monax being the most common, followed by Cremax, and then Ivrene. American Sweetheart was mostly produced in pink or Monax white, with only a few pieces made in Ivrene.

The glassware is surprisingly sturdy, despite being very thin. This is evident in the fact that American Sweetheart and Petalware often don't have chips.

Macbeth-Evans glassware is highly collectible, with prices varying greatly depending on the piece and its condition. Some rare items, like the Uranium Glass Green Tumblers, can be quite valuable.

The prices for Macbeth-Evans glassware can range from a few dollars for a single juice glass to hundreds of dollars for a rare set of tumblers. For example, a single 12 Ounce Uranium Green Optic Depression Glass Tumbler can cost around $50.

The condition and rarity of the piece play a significant role in determining its price. Vintage pieces in excellent condition, like the 1930's Macbeth-Evans Pink Depression Glass Juice Tumblers Set of 5, can fetch higher prices.

The size of the piece also affects its price. For instance, a Macbeth-Evans Pink Dogwood Depression Glass 8.5" Bowl is generally more expensive than a set of small juice glasses.

Macbeth-Evans glassware is often sold in sets, which can be a great value for collectors. For example, a set of 4 Macbeth-Evans Pink Sherbet Cups With Holders can cost around $100.

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The age of the piece is also a factor in determining its price. Vintage pieces from the 1930's, like the Macbeth-Evans Pink Depression Glass Juice Tumblers Glasses Set of 2, can be more valuable than newer pieces.

Some Macbeth-Evans glassware features unique designs, like the etched grapes on the Vintage Macbeth-Evans Green Optic Depression Glass Tumbler. These designs can increase the piece's value.

The box and packaging of the glassware can also affect its price. For example, the Vtg Corning MacBeth Evans Stipped Rose Band Clear Tumblers Glasses 1930 W/ Box is more valuable because it comes with its original box.

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Macbeth-Evans Glass Company was known for its wide variety of marks on its industrial and utilitarian glass.

A full list of these marks can be found by clicking here.

MacBeth-Evans Depression Glass is not marked. This means collectors can't rely on marks to identify Depression Glass pieces.

McKee, New Martinsville, was a major production facility for the Macbeth-Evans Glass Company.

The factory was established in 1892, making it one of the company's earliest and most important sites.

A significant amount of glass was produced at McKee, including tableware, bottles, and jars.

The factory operated for over 60 years, employing many people in the local community.