by Julie Noyas | Apr 10, 2020 | Smoking Accessories
Item Number: 374
Approximate Size: 4¾” L – 3½” W – 2″ H
Production Dates: 1934-1958
The Cigarette Box & Cover is really a stunning piece of glass. Even though many of us don’t smoke today, there was a time in our history when it was quite the popular thing to do. Look at any old Hollywood movie, and it seems everyone was smoking. I believe Fostoria Glass would have been amiss if they had not produced a cigarette holder for smokers, as it was quite in vogue at the time this piece was born. Decades later, this glass box is still a stunner – and it makes for a beautiful addition to any room. Ladies love to use them today for holding jewelry, pearls, or other special treasures. This box can really be used for anything, as there is nothing in the design that shows it was initially used for cigarettes.
The Cigarette Box and Cover is about 2″ high, 4¾” in length, and 3½” in width. It consists of two separate pieces, the box and the cover. While this item was originally sold separately, it was also one of the items in the 5-Piece Smoker Set. The Smoker Set consisted of one Cigarette Box and Cover and four Square Ash Trays. Smoker Sets were often set out on tables when entertaining guests, and were often seen accompanied by other American items – such as the Decanters and Ice Tubs.
As an eBay Partner, I may be compensated if you make a purchase on eBay. The following link shows available Cigarette Boxes on eBay.
by Julie Noyas | Apr 1, 2020 | Shakers & Salt Servers
From the collection of Dennis and Pat Early
Photo Credit: Dennis and Pat Early
This is a unique shaker, and worthy of sharing. Underneath the overlay is a Fostoria American Shaker, with a “W” Top. This particular style of shaker is not common. One rarely sees them online, or even at estate auctions and antique stores. Since they are over 100 years old, and rather difficult to find … imagine your excitement if you were to stumble across one with a beautiful silver overlay. Well, that is exactly what happened to Dennis and Pat Early.
The silver overlay treatment is mainly applied to the edges of the cubes, and this application really highlights the design of the American pattern. As with most vintage shakers with decades of use, the tops would often become iodized and their finish worn down to their bare metal. Since the metal bands on these shakers were pristine and full of shine, I inquired about their finish.
“When we obtained these tops, the original plating was almost completely gone. We had them replated with nickel.”
– Dennis and Pat Early
The Early’s have a large Fostoria American collection; however, they only have one of these shakers. They purchased it on eBay years ago, and it was sold singularly – not as a set. This silver overlay design was not produced at Fostoria Glass for the American pattern; therefore, it is important to note that this treatment was done by a third-party. By whom, remains a mystery. We also don’t know if multiples were produced, or if this is a “one-of-a-kind” piece. Personally, I like a little mystery in my collecting – which makes this piece very intriguing.
Photo Credit: Dennis and Pat Early
In this photo, the silver overlay shaker is on the left; a regular Shaker (“W” Top) is on the right. Both shakers; however, have had their metal bands replated with nickel. These pieces are a fine example of how you can bring a vintage treasure back to its original luster. If your vintage tops are in good condition, with the exception of a worn finish, getting them replated might be all that is needed for them to shine like the day they were born.
I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Dennis and Pat Early for sharing a piece from their American collection. If you would like to learn more about this particular style shaker, please refer to this post for size, pictures and details. As an eBay Partner, I may be compensated if you make a purchase on eBay. The following link shows available Salt and Pepper Shakers on eBay.
by Julie Noyas | Mar 25, 2020 | Miscellaneous, Smoking Accessories
Item Number: 715
Height: 3″
Production Dates: 1939-1958
When the crystal Topper was first introduced, it was marketed as a cigarette holder. Back then, when smoking was very popular, the perfect host would set the table with ash trays, cigarettes, and matches for their guests. The 3″ Topper was the perfect size to hold the cigarettes, while the 2½” Topper held the matches. The top diameter of the 3″ Topper is approximately 4½ inches.
All of the Toppers in the American line were also offered in White Milk Glass. Each of the Milk Glass Toppers had different production dates; however, the 3″ Topper was produced from 1954-1965. This particular sized Topper was very popular, and it had the longest production life during the Milk Glass years.
After the sale of Fostoria Glass and under the new ownership of Lancaster Colony, the 3″ Topper was then produced by Dalzell Viking Glass in a Cranberry Mist color. The Cranberry Mist color is not cataloged, and appears to have been a smaller production run. Other colored Toppers have also been found (mostly experimental). The only colored 3″ Toppers that were regularly produced and cataloged by Fostoria Glass are the White Milk Glass items.
As an eBay Partner, I may be compensated if you make a purchase on eBay. The following link shows available Toppers on eBay.
by Julie Noyas | Mar 18, 2020 | Miscellaneous, Smoking Accessories
Item Number: 714
Height: 2½”
Production Dates: 1939-1958
The 2056 line of Toppers includes some of the most under-appreciated items in the entire American pattern. Many times they are ignored or overlooked, for when the Toppers stand empty and alone … they just don’t stir up a lot of excitement for most folks. In truth, they are very versatile pieces which can be used for a multitude of purposes and holidays. These hats are adorable for St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, Mother’s Day, and many other celebrations!
The smallest of these Toppers is the Topper Ash Tray. From there, the next size up is this 2½” Topper. When it was first introduced, it was listed as 2¼” tall, and then later it was described as being 2½” in height. Therefore, you can expect slight size variations between those two measurements. The top diameter is approximately 3¾”, with a clear glass rim.
As an eBay Partner, I may be compensated if you make a purchase on eBay. The following link shows available Toppers on eBay.
by Julie Noyas | Mar 11, 2020 | Smoking Accessories
Item Number: 123
Approximate Size: 5″ Sq.
Production Dates: 1957-1974
Out of all the smoking accessories that Fostoria produced in the American pattern, it is this Ash Tray that is the largest. The official Fostoria documents state the measurement at 5-inches. My Ash Trays; however, are about 4¾” – when measured from side-to-side. It has a squarish shape, with rounded corners. The bottom of the piece has a nice star-burst design, and flares outward from the bottom to the top edge.
The 5″ Ash Tray is a heavy specimen, and is crafted beautifully. As far as smoking accessories go, this piece is definitely one of the most gorgeous ash trays I have ever seen. It displays a perfectly-sized indentation for a cigarette to rest in each of the four corners. Due to its weight, size, and allowance of four cigarettes to be used at one time, this is the perfect ash tray to be used by multiple smokers and/or guests.
Even while many of us don’t smoke today, one can still appreciate the craftsmanship and beauty of these items. Use them for alternate purposes, and enjoy them … for a complete Fostoria American collection would not be complete without them.
As an eBay Partner, I may be compensated if you make a purchase on eBay. The following link shows available Ash Trays on eBay.
by Julie Noyas | Nov 7, 2019 | Smoking Accessories
Item Number: 115
Approximate Size: 5½” L
Production Dates: 1915-1958
Years ago, smoking was very popular – and Fostoria Glass produced smoking accessories to meet the demands of its many consumers. Even while many of us don’t smoke today, one can still appreciate the craftsmanship and beauty of these items. The Oval Ash Tray is the oldest ash tray in the American line. When it was first introduced, it was called the “Oval Ash Tray and Safety Match Stand”. During its final years of production, it was simply known as the Oval Ash Tray. It was also produced in a black Ebony color for a very short period of time, circa 1925-1926.
The Oval Ash Tray is the only smoking accessory in the American line that acts as an ash tray and a matchbox stand. Interestingly, it does not have a notched area in the rim to hold a cigarette or cigar. It has a thick protrusion of glass that sits on the ash tray’s upper edge – acting as a stand for a box of matches. The key word here is “box” of matches … for this application does not work with a book of matches.
For me, personally, I like to place these ash trays right next to candle holders. I never have to go looking for matches when the time comes to light a candle, and once I do light them – I simply place the extinguished match back in the holder. This solves the problem of me having to look for a trash can to dispose of them. It is a unique and productive way to use the Oval Ash Tray, while still being attractive in the process.
Trying to find boxes of matches that fit these vintage Oval Ash Trays is no easy task. The block of glass that acts as the match stand has a depth of ½”, is about 1″ tall, and approximately 1¼” wide. Today, most boxes of matches you find at the local store are smaller than these dimensions. The boxes are usually too narrow or not deep enough to fit over the piece of protruding glass (match stand). I have had good luck finding vintage
and retro-looking boxes of matches online. I like the way they look, and they fit the time period of when they ash trays were produced.
As an eBay Partner, I may be compensated if you make a purchase on eBay. The following link shows available Ash Trays on eBay.
