by Julie Noyas | Oct 7, 2020 | Covered Containers
Item Number: 362
Height: 8⅞″
Production Dates: 1915-1970 (under different names)
When this piece of glass was first introduced into the American 2056 line, it was called the Cracker Jar & Cover. Later in years, circa 1933, it was reintroduced as the Pretzel Jar & Cover. It remained so until 1944, when this item was discontinued. It would reappear later, around 1957, as a Cookie Jar & Cover.
These pieces can vary by about ¼” in height, and most of the time that can be attributed to the size of the clear band of glass seen at the top of the jar. The jar opening has a diameter of approximately 5¾”, with a smooth (non-serrated) rim. In years past, the bottom jar piece was sold to other companies that fitted them with wooden tops and other accessories to be sold as cigar and Tobacco Humidors.
After the mid-to-late 1980’s, the mould for this piece was in the hands of different glass companies – Dalzell Viking Glass, etc. Since the Fostoria Glass factory had already closed down, Dalzell Viking was contracted to produce a variety of American pieces from original FA moulds. The Cookie Jar & Cover was one such piece. Dalzell produced it in a Blue Gray color (seen here) and a Cranberry Mist color. A couple of other colors were made by the L.E. Smith Glass Co.
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by Julie Noyas | Oct 1, 2020 | Drinkware & Stemware
Item Number: 448
Height: 4¼” D – 4¼” H
Production Dates: 1915-1983
Most people don’t realize that Fostoria Glass sold the Jelly dish two ways – with, or without a cover. Often, when a collector finds the Jelly without a cover, they think that it is not complete – or that the cover got broke along the way. Some consumers did not want a cover on their Jelly; therefore, this item was available with two options. Fostoria Glass even designated two different item numbers for these pieces – #448 for the uncovered Jelly, and #447 for the Jelly and Cover.
The Jelly is about 4¼” in diameter. It is one of the pioneering pieces in the line, debuting in the first Fostoria American 1915 Catalog Supplement. With a very long production life, it was still being manufactured right up until the Fostoria Glass factory closed. In fact, the Jelly (without a cover) was one of the few pieces featured in the 1983 Fostoria catalog – allowing it to live one year longer than its lidded sibling.
As an eBay Partner, I may be compensated if you make a purchase on eBay. The following link shows available Jelly dishes on eBay.
This is a beautiful piece of Fostoria American that you can buy quite inexpensively – even today.
by Julie Noyas | Sep 23, 2020 | Nappies
Item Number: HN-05
Size: 5½″
Production Dates: 1915-1944
Fostoria Glass made quite a few different nappy dishes in their 2056 line. Several were among the very first American items to be showcased in 1915. The Handled Nappy (Flared) was one of those pioneering pieces. By definition, a “nappy” is simply a shallow open serving dish (or small bowl), with no rim. You can find them with a handle, with two handles, or even without a handle. Therefore, there are many styles of nappy dishes. The American pattern produced regular, flared, handled, and even 3-cornered nappy bowls.
One good thing about the handled nappy dishes is that they were unique in design. Any time a piece of glass is made with a handle, the production process is a bit more complicated. Therefore, you will not have to worry about any Look-Alikes (i.e. Whitehall, Jeannette Glass, etc.) when it comes to the American handled nappy dishes.
Of the four different handled nappies that were produced in the American pattern, it is the flared Handled Nappy that is the most elusive. The other nappy dishes were produced almost twice as long as the flared version. As an eBay Partner, I may be compensated if you make a purchase on eBay. The following link shows available Handled Flared Nappies on eBay.
by Julie Noyas | Sep 17, 2020 | Jugs, Pitcher, Water Bottle
Item Number: J-01
Holding Capacity: 69 oz. (per catalog data)
Production Dates: 1915-1941
The ½ Gallon Ice Jug – without an Ice Lip – is probably the most confusing Jug in the American pattern. It was born in 1915 as an “Ice Jug”; however, as the years went by, its catalog name changed to simply a “Jug”. It gets rather complicated when trying to track down definite production dates on this piece, as other items in the line were also called Jugs. While holding capacities were listed, there were times when there were multiple Jugs listed with the same holding capacity (½ gallon). Without yearly drawings or pictures of an item for comparison value, this accounts for the wide difference in production dates seen in published books by different sources. With regards to my own research, I believe the last year this piece was produced was in 1941. While I can’t confirm that the ½ Gallon Ice Jug (without an Ice Lip) was produced for every year from 1915-1941, it does appear that it was produced for the majority of that time period.
Since all of the Fostoria American items were finished by hand, there will always be slight variances in size. Based on my own evaluation of the ½ Gallon Ice Jug (w/o an Ice Lip), these are its approximate measurements:
- Outside diameter from rim to rim – 6″
- From bottom to top of lip – 7”
- Bottom base (or foot) is 5⅝” in diameter
This jug is very substantial in size, and hefty in weight. You would be well advised to carry this vessel with two hands, supporting it mainly from the bottom. This is especially important when it is filled with liquid, as the weight increases substantially.
Of all the Jugs produced in the 2056 line, this is the only Jug that was offered in a green color. In 1925, for about a year or two, it was produced in a beautiful shade of green. Tumblers and Ice Tea glasses were also available in this same color (along with a few other items). When combined together, the Jug, Tumblers, and Ice Tea glasses made for a colorful beverage set.
As an eBay Partner, I may be compensated if you make a purchase on eBay. The following link shows available Jugs on eBay.
You will have a better chance of finding a clear crystal Jug on eBay, versus the green-colored variation. The green Jug is rare, and obviously a more difficult find.
by Julie Noyas | Sep 16, 2020 | Jugs, Pitcher, Water Bottle
Item Number: 458
Holding Capacity: ½ Gallon
Production Dates: 1937-1982
For whatever reason, the ½ Gallon Ice Jug is one of my favorite jugs in the entire 2056 line. I find its flat-topped handle to be very attractive as it curves down towards the bottom of the jug’s side. The ice lip is full and robust, and truly keeps the ice cubes from falling into the serving glass. While this particular piece is not the oldest of the American jugs, it does have an “old-time” appearance that I find very appealing.
Remember, all of the Fostoria American items were finished by hand, so there will always be slight variances in size. Based on my own evaluation of the ½ Gallon Ice Jug, these are its approximate measurements:
- Outside diameter from rim to rim – 6″
- From bottom to top of lip – 8¾”
- Bottom base (or foot) is 5¾” in diameter
This jug is very substantial in size, and hefty in weight. You would be well advised to carry this vessel with two hands, supporting it mainly from the bottom. The ½ Gallon Ice Jug, along with the 3 Pint Ice Jug, were the last two jugs to remain in production towards the end of Fostoria’s life.
As an eBay Partner, I may be compensated if you make a purchase on eBay. The following link shows available Jugs on eBay.
by Julie Noyas | Aug 20, 2020 | Jugs, Pitcher, Water Bottle
Item Number: 457
Holding Capacity: 71 oz. (per catalog data)
Production Dates: 1915-1973
Fostoria Glass classified their larger pouring vessels as “Jugs”. They did; however, produce a smaller “Pitcher” – such as the Pint Cereal Pitcher. This ½ Gallon Jug is very substantial in size, and hefty in weight. You would be well advised to carry this vessel with two hands, supporting it mainly from the bottom. It has a nice pouring lip, and a solid and smooth handle – which starts at the very top of the Jug. It is one of my favorite beverage items, and you will often find it on our table serving iced tea, lemonade, and other assorted beverages.
The ½ Gallon Jug enjoyed a long life, and is still a popular item today. As an eBay Partner, I may be compensated if you make a purchase on eBay. The following link shows available Jugs on eBay.
