by Julie Noyas | Aug 30, 2021 | Miscellaneous
Item Number: 125
Approximate Size: 9″ L – 7″ W – 4″ H
Production Dates: 1940-1958
The Reed Handle Baskets were produced for less than twenty years, and are very easy to identify. While the reed handles make them easy to distinguish, they also can be problematic. Many of the original reed handles are missing on the glass baskets found today. Since the handles were made out of natural material, they are prone to breakage and splitting. Therefore, it is very important to keep your original handle clean and preserved.
I am sure many people will have different and preferred methods of how they clean the handles; however, I will share with you what I do. If they are dirty, I use Murphy Oil Soap to clean them. To get into the small crevices, I use a soft toothbrush. Once the handle is completely dry from cleaning, I then apply Lemon Oil for preservation. Lemon Oil will clean wood too; however, this final treatment helps keep the handle from drying out and cracking. It penetrates the wood, replenishing the oil it has lost over time. This process has worked very well for me, and hopefully will for you, too. It also has a refreshing scent, and helps to prevent mold from developing in the handle. This is important, as you don’t want to apply a wax or preservative over a handle that is still damp from cleaning.
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by Julie Noyas | Jul 15, 2021 | Miscellaneous
Item Number: 47
Approximate Size: 7¼” H
Production Dates: 1981-1982
The Bell was designed by Jon Saffell – a talented model maker and design artist. I would be amiss if I did not mention how fragile this item is. Unlike other pressed glassware from the American 2056 line, the Bell is hand blown. Delicate it is, and great care should be afforded to it.
As an eBay Partner, I may be compensated if you make a purchase on eBay. The following link shows available Bells on eBay.
by Julie Noyas | Jul 14, 2021 | Miscellaneous
Item Number: M-08
Approximate Size: 3¾″ H
Production Dates: 1915-1920s
n 1915, when this item was introduced, Fostoria Glass described this piece as a “Spoon”. Some collectors prefer to call it a Spooner; however, I shall remain true to Fostoria’s original description and spelling of this item. These type of open containers were used to hold spoons on the table, and they did not have a cover. There is; however, a Sugar & Cover (aka Candy & Cover) in the American pattern that has a strikingly similar bottom.
There are differences in a true Spoon and the Sugar & Covers. I seem to have a different approach than most in determining what item is which. The Spoons have a top diameter measurement of approximately 3¼”, versus the larger 4″ opening on the bottom piece of the Sugar & Cover. The S&C covers won’t fit on an original Spoon. Another factor is the number of petals or rays in the bottom of the piece. The original Spoons have a total of 22 rays, whereas many of the Sugar & Cover bottoms have 24 rays.
As an eBay Partner, I may be compensated if you make a purchase on eBay. The following link shows available Spoons (Spooners) on eBay.
by Julie Noyas | Jul 9, 2021 | Miscellaneous
Item Number: 710
Approximate Size: 2⅜” H
Production Dates: 1915-1981
In addition to crystal, the Fostoria American Toothpick can be found in a beautiful Ruby color. The Ruby items were commissioned by the Fostoria Glass Society of America in 1983, to be made as a souvenir. They are stamped on the bottom with the “FGSA” logo.
As an eBay Partner, I may be compensated if you make a purchase on eBay. The following link shows available Toothpicks on eBay.
Some Toppers might show up in the search results, as people seem to like to use those items as toothpick holders as well.
by Julie Noyas | Jul 8, 2021 | Miscellaneous
Item Number: 866
Approximate Size: 4″ H
Production Dates: 1980-1985
The Oval Picture Frame was produced late in Fostoria’s life. There is a myth that there were two oval picture frames produced in the American 2056 pattern – one with a cube-like design, and one without. That thinking is simply not correct. There is only one American Oval Picture Frame, and that is the piece featured in this post. Another oval frame (Bridal Picture Frame, #FR01) was produced in Fostoria’s giftware line; however, there were no cubes in its design and it was never attributed to the American 2056 pattern.
As an eBay Partner, I may be compensated if you make a purchase on eBay. The following link shows available Oval Picture Frames on eBay.
by Julie Noyas | Jul 6, 2021 | Miscellaneous
Item Number: 492
Approximate Size: 2″ D – ¾” W
Production Dates: 1973-1982
Put simply, the Napkin Rings are precious. I use that term because they are not to be used carelessly. Of all the American pieces produced, these would classify as some of the most fragile. The reason for that is because the glass ring is somewhat thin – just a little over ⅛” thick. These are pieces that I don’t recommend just throwing on the table; they will need to be placed and handled with care.
The Napkin Rings were only produced for a few years, and due to their fragile nature, they won’t be as plentiful when treasure hunting. Please do not confuse them with the Fostoria “American Lead Crystal” Napkin Rings. Fostoria made several different napkin rings over the years; however, the American pattern (Line 2056) was not made out of lead crystal. The different napkin rings were packaged in similar boxes, so pay special attention to the design of the napkin rings.
As an eBay Partner, I may be compensated if you make a purchase on eBay. The following link shows available Napkin Rings on eBay.
