by Julie Noyas | Jan 31, 2018 | Trays & Platters
Item Number: 659
Length: 4″
Production Dates: 1938-1943; 1947-1973
Without a doubt, this is one of the smallest (and cutest) trays in the entire American pattern. While the Individual Shaker Tray is one of three items that was used in the 3-Piece Individual Shaker Set, it was also available for purchase as a separate item. The Shaker Tray fits the square Individual Shakers with Fostoria Glass Tops and the Individual Shakers with Silver Tops.
The Individual Shaker Trays came into production around 1938, and were first introduced with the Individual Shakers with Fostoria Glass Tops. They were produced from approximately 1938 – 1943. They came back into production around 1947, and were later paired with the Individual Shakers with the Silver Tops. Many years later, the Trays were discontinued. Fostoria Glass; however, continued to produce the Shakers (without the Trays) through 1982.
The Individual Shaker Trays are precious. With a petite size of approximately 4″ in length (from handle to handle), they are only about 1½” in width. They have two compartments, with a slightly raised partition in the center, that holds the Individual Shakers neatly in place.
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The Trays are harder to find by themselves, and are most often sold as part of the 3-Piece Individual Shaker Set.
by Julie Noyas | Jan 19, 2018 | Trays & Platters
Item Number: T-05
Length: 13½″
Production Dates: 1915-1925
The Oval Ice Cream Tray is one item in the American line that I find to be quite intriguing. Depending on what book you read on Fostoria American, it can be referenced to as either a “Tray”, “Platter”, or simply the “Oval Ice Cream”. Interestingly enough, Fostoria’s own 1915 Catalog Supplement displays a picture of it, entitled the “Oval Ice Cream”. However, in their corresponding price list for the same, it lists the piece as the “14 in. Ice Cream Tray”. With all the different names in the various published books, as well as the differences in the Fostoria Glass Supplement Catalog itself, it is easy to understand why it is known by different titles. For me, personally, I will combine the original two names from Fostoria and call it the Oval Ice Cream Tray.
Regarding size, the Oval Ice Cream Tray can vary. Some original Fostoria documents state the length as 13½″ and 10″ in width, yet describe it as the 14″ Ice Cream Tray. My own personal specimen is 13″ in length and 9½″ in width. You would be wise to expect some slight fluctuations in size when comparing one to another. As in all handmade items, sizes can vary … but the main reason to expect slight size variations on this piece is because it was made from the 11½″ Oval Garden mould. Once released from the mould, the piece of glass was then flattened out to create the Oval Ice Cream Tray. How big in size (or inches) the piece is would depend on how “flat” the glass craftsman made the piece during production. Obviously, the more flat it is – the larger in size it will be.
The Oval Ice Cream Tray is very similar in looks to the 12″ Oval Platter. Since these two pieces are similar in dimensions, measuring might not be the best course of action to take in determining its true identity. Regarding these particular pieces, the quickest and easiest way to distinguish between the Oval Ice Cream Tray and the 12″ Oval Platter is to count the number of points around the dish. The 12″ Oval Platter will have thirty-two (32) points. The Oval Ice Cream Tray will have thirty-six (36) points.
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by Julie Noyas | Jan 11, 2018 | Trays & Platters
Item Number: T-03
Length: 6″
Production Dates: 1915-1943
The Fostoria Glass Company made more than one Oval Pin Tray. Each one is different in design, as well as in their size dimensions. The Handled Oval Pin Tray was featured in Fostoria’s 1915 Catalog Supplement, which originally debuted the American pattern. Two trays were introduced at that time, the Oval Comb & Brush Tray and the 6″ Handled Oval Pin Tray.
Both trays are very similar in design; however, the Oval Comb and Brush Tray is the largest – approximately 10″ in length. The Handled Oval Pin Tray is approximately 3″ wide and is actually about 6¾” in length, if measured from handle to handle. Fostoria simply named this piece the 6-Inch Oval Pin Tray. Another Oval Pin Tray (different design) was produced later; hence, I call the item featured in this post the “Handled” Oval Pin Tray to distinguish between the two pieces. The other version is more rare, void of any handle, and can be seen here.
Production dates on this piece are estimates, based on my research and catalog verification. There are some authors on Fostoria American that have the production dates wrong on this item, but only by a few years. Without a doubt, we know that the Handled Oval Pin Tray was featured in the 1915 Catalog Supplement. Therefore, we know it came into production in 1915 and was produced until approximately 1943.
The Oval Pin Trays are not common items – certainly not something you typically find while treasure hunting. When I do find these pieces, I make sure to rescue them right away! The sides of the tray are clear glass, with the cube design on the bottom. Unfortunately, many times you will find the inner rims nicked or slightly damaged due to wear and tear over the years. I find this piece to be truly unique, and it can be used for a multitude of purposes – even today.
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by Julie Noyas | Nov 16, 2017 | Plates, Saucers, Tortes, & Tid Bits
Item Number: 576
Diameter: 18″
Production Dates: 1935-1980
Fostoria Glass produced several Torte Plates – all in various sizes. Unlike the Oval Torte Plates, the regular Torte Plates have a round or circular shape.
Fostoria produced four different-sized Torte Plates over the years – 14″, 18″, 20″, and 24″ (the largest is extremely rare). It is quite common to see this 18″ Torte Plate used as an underplate for a Punch Bowl set.
In general, dimensions on Torte Plates vary – no matter what size you might have. That is true for any handmade item; however, it is especially true on the Torte Plates. For example, the Torte Plate that is pictured in this post is actually 19″ in size; however, it is considered to be an 18″ Torte Plate. This measurement discrepancy can be confusing, especially when you are trying to determine if it is the 18″ or 20″ size. So, what traits should you be looking for in order to make a correct identification?
Luckily, the 18″ Torte Plate is one of the easiest plates to identify. Unlike the other Torte Plates, it has a large center design – with cubes surrounding the inside rays. The other Torte Plates have only rays in the center of the plate. The mould from the Hotel Cracked Ice is what produced this piece, one of only a few items that have this unique center design.
Another way to identify the 18″ Torte Plate is to take the measurement of the foot. The foot on the 18″ Torte Plate is approximately 7″ (can vary slightly), the largest of all four Torte Plates – even the massive 24″ variation. Between the center design, and the size of the foot, you should have no problem identifying a true 18″ Torte Plate.
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by Julie Noyas | Nov 1, 2017 | Look-Alikes (NOT produced by Fostoria Glass)
Description: Cup/Saucer Set
Pieces Included: Cup and Saucer
Pattern: Whitehall
Colors: Gold, Olive
The Whitehall pattern combined two different items in order to make up their Cup/Saucer Set. The set always consisted of a Cup and a Saucer. While it is possible that this combination might have been offered in clear crystal as well, I have never seen it. We know that the Cup was offered in clear crystal; however, I have never seen a crystal Saucer – either in a catalog, or in person. The Cup/Saucer Sets that I have come across were far and few between, and only in the colors specified.
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Please note: You probably won’t find many Cup/Saucer Sets (if any at all) through the search results. What you will find are parts of it – like the Cup, and rarely the Saucers by themselves. You would need to build your own set if you were not lucky enough to find the sets already packaged together. Simply modify the eBay search terms to either a Whitehall Cup and/or a Whitehall Saucer in the Pottery/Glass category.
by Julie Noyas | Oct 31, 2017 | Look-Alikes (NOT produced by Fostoria Glass)
Description: Dessert Set
Pieces Included: Saucer & Sherbet, Saucer & Dessert Nappy, or Salad Plate & Dessert Nappy
Pattern: Whitehall
Colors: Gold, Olive
The Whitehall pattern combined different items in order to make up the “Dessert Set”. The set would usually include a Saucer; however, the second piece could vary from a Dessert Nappy to a Sherbet. These two combinations work very well for the Whitehall Dessert Set.
There is another combination (which I have not yet seen published in catalogs), and that is using the Salad Plate and the Dessert Nappy. I have an original packaging box from Colony Whitehall for an Olive Dessert Set, and it includes the Salad Plate and the Dessert Nappy. So, even though I have not seen this pairing in their official catalogs, it does appear that they also considered the Salad Plate and Dessert Nappy to be another viable option for a Dessert Set.
As an eBay Partner, I may be compensated if you make a purchase on eBay. The following link shows available Dessert Sets on eBay.
Please note: the Dessert Set is not that common, and you probably won’t find many (if any at all) through the search results. What you will find are parts of it – like the Dessert Nappy, Sherbet, or possibly the Saucers, by themselves. You would need to build your own set if you were not lucky enough to find the sets already packaged together. Simply modify the eBay search terms to include a Whitehall Dessert Nappy, Sherbet and/or a Whitehall Saucer in the Pottery/Glass category.
