by Julie Noyas | Mar 15, 2024 | Smoking Accessories
Item Number: K-03
Height: Glass Bottom 5″ H (approx.)
Production Dates: Non-Cataloged Item; Dates Not Known
First and foremost this item is a “contract” piece, a non-cataloged item. Fostoria Glass did not sell tobacco humidors to the general public; therefore, it was not featured in Fostoria catalogs. The glass bottoms (produced by Fostoria) were sold to other companies that furnished the tops. The third parties then marketed and sold the Cigar Humidors. Other humidors were offered – such as the Small Cigar Humidor, and the Tobacco Humidor.
The tops were made out of a variety of metals, often brass or bronze metal. Many of the tops for the Large Cigar Humidors will have an outside diameter of approximately 4-inches. The height of the total piece will vary, and this is obviously due to the different styles and designs of the tops that were offered. Some tops are more intricate than others, with most having a simple metal design with a knob on the top.
As an eBay Partner, I may be compensated if you make a purchase on eBay. The following link shows available Cigar Humidors on eBay.
by Julie Noyas | Dec 25, 2023 | Boxes & Boudoir Items
Item Number: CC-10. CA (Canary)
Dimensions: 5½” L – 4½” W – 2⅜” H
Production Dates: 1925-1926
This box was used in the colored Boudoir Sets of the 1920’s. It had a short life span as a Confection and Cover, as they were only produced in three colors – Amber, Blue, or Canary. These are not common items, and worthy of special attention. When this same box was produced in clear crystal, it enjoyed a much longer life as the Handkerchief Box & Cover. Therefore, a Confection and Cover = a box in Amber, Blue, or Canary. A Handkerchief Box & Cover = a box in clear crystal. The colored Boudoir Sets of 1925-1926 included the following items:
As an eBay Partner, I may be compensated if you make a purchase on eBay. The following link shows available Confection and Covers on eBay. You might have to add the search term “confection” to the search box. Most people don’t call this item by it’s proper name, so more results might show up when searching for the Handkerchief Box.
by Julie Noyas | Oct 20, 2021 | Bitters, Cordials, & Decanters
Item Number: BOT-1
Approximate Size: 5¾” H – 4½ oz.
Production Dates: 1934-1943
For those that collect the American pattern, I feel we are fortunate that the Fostoria Glass Company provided us with a few different liquor items. The various bottles are gorgeous, and even if one does not consume alcoholic beverages, these wonderfully crafted treasures will bring you pleasure. The Bitters Bottle is different from the Decanter and Cordial bottle, as it has a “Tube” (a chrome-plated metal top, affixed with a cork on the bottom). Today, people might refer to this item as having a dasher cork. The tube allows for the appropriate dash of bitters, providing a precise method of delivery.
Contract Piece – Fostoria American Bitters Bottle w/ Label
The American 2056 Bitters Bottle that was sold to the general public did not have a glass label. The term “label” is referring to those bottles that have a glass name plate moulded within their body. The labeled bottles, frosted or clear, were contract pieces made for other companies – most notably, the National Silver Deposit Ware Co. of NY. These contract pieces can be found with different names inscribed on their labels – such as Bitters, Angostura, Brandy, and Orange. Please remember, though, that the regularly produced Bitters Bottle that was cataloged and sold from Fostoria’s regular production line is the bottle without a glass label (shown in the post’s main photo).
As an eBay Partner, I may be compensated if you make a purchase on eBay. The following link shows available Bitters Bottles on eBay. If priced correctly, these items usually sell quickly, so your search results might be minimal. Keep looking; however, for they do pop up for sale every now and again.
by Julie Noyas | Oct 11, 2021 | Boats, Celery, Olive, Pickle, & Relishes
Item Number: RB-03
Approximate Size: 9½″ L – 6″ W
Production Dates: 1935-1944
The American relish dishes are some of the most beautiful and useful serving pieces in the entire 2056 line. Fostoria Glass produced several different types of them, and a consumer could choose from 2-part, 3-part, and even 4-part relish servers. When it comes to the 3-part relish dishes, two different types were offered. This post is about the 3-Part Relish, and the easiest way to distinguish it from the 3-Part Combination Relish is to look at its design. The combination dish will have a long glass divider that is in the center of the dish, with two smaller compartments making up the other half of the server. The regular 3-Part Relish is a smaller dish, designed with three evenly-spaced dividers.
As an eBay Partner, I may be compensated if you make a purchase on eBay. The following link shows available 3-Part Relishes on eBay.
by Julie Noyas | Oct 11, 2021 | Covered Containers
Item Number: CC-14
Approximate Size: 4″ Top D – 12″ H
Production Dates: 1915-1928
The main body of the Straw Jar was produced from the same glass mould as the 10″ Vase. The two items are often confused with each other. Though made from the same mould, the Straw Jar bottom was made with a bigger opening so that it could accommodate a cover (or lid). If one tried to put a Straw Jar Cover on a piece that was designed to be a 10″ Vase, it would not fit. The lid would be too big, as the 10″ Vase has a smaller opening in comparison to the Straw Jar.
The Cover is the same piece that is used as the lid for the Sugar and Cover. This information is good to know, especially if you only have the bottom to the Straw Jar – and are in need of just a cover.
As an eBay Partner, I may be compensated if you make a purchase on eBay. The following link shows available Straw Jars on eBay.
by Julie Noyas | Oct 7, 2021 | Covered Containers
Item Number: SV-02
Approximate Size: 6¾” H – 11 oz.
Production Dates: 1915-1925
This lovely, and very old piece, makes a grand impression on the table. The Molasses Can made its debut in 1915. It was only produced for about ten years, and during that time, different variations of the top were offered. The tops most often showcased a thumb piece design. The thumb piece either featured a shell design, or it was plain – with a thin outline. Other types of tops have also been seen; however, I have not seen those illustrated in any of the early Fostoria American catalogs.
The lid components of the Molasses Can were made out of an alloy called Zamak (or Zamac). The tops were also produced in sheet metal, which is not as strong, or thick, as Zamak. The sheet metal lids are typically stamped “Patent Pending” inside. No matter the material that was used in production, all of them were plated with a layer of metal – typically nickel. The nickel plating helped with wear and corrosion resistance. Fostoria even used the initials E.N.T. (Ewer Nickel Top) in the item’s description to reflect that nickel was used.
Another type of server that was also produced during the 1915 timeframe is the Syrup with a Metal Handle. Both of these servers are exquisite pieces from the American pattern. As an eBay Partner, I may be compensated if you make a purchase on eBay. The following link shows available Molasses Cans on eBay. The results will probably be limited; however, they do show up for sale every now and again.
