Carnival Glass
Collecting
Carnival Glass has become such a popular collectable
that since 1966, many local groups across the country
have formed new local clubs, with the intent and purpose
of enjoying Carnival and the friendships associated with
collecting this beautiful glass. Carnival Glass as
it is now called once had the nickname "Poor Man’s
Tiffany." It was originally made as an imitation of the
more expensive Tiffany Glass, and was originally sold in
china and glass shops, department stores and general
stores across America. As the years passed, many
"lesser" or left over pieces were sold by the barrel to
wholesale houses for distribution as prizes to circuses,
churches, lodges and carnivals, hence its present day
name.A
Wide World of Carnival Glass
Carnival Glass is a type of colored, pressed glassware
with iridescence fired on. It is now considered part of
our American Heritage due to the fact that it originated
here, and over 95% was produced in America. Although
many types of pressed glass were made during the early
1900’s, only Carnival Glass bears the striking
iridescence which is its most prominent characteristic.
In Carnival Glass,
we not only have a large variety of shapes and colors:
we also find hundreds and hundreds of patterns. Punch
sets, table sets, water sets, mugs, plates, bowls,
vases, accessory and novelty items of many varieties
were produced. Illustrated below is a Marigold Corn
Vase, an Elks bell in Blue and a Marigold Town Pump.
The colors of
Carnival Glass are numerous. Marigold is generally
recognized as the most common color, because it
brightened the dark Victorian homes of the early 1900’s.
It is also found in green, blue, white, purple, red,
pastel blue and green, and variations which include
opalescent edges. The true color or "base color" of the
glass is seen through the iridescence when held to the
light.
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