Article… Pickin’ Pitkins!

Article… Pickin’ Pitkins!

One of the earliest form of American flasks was the swirled ribbed style known as a “Pitkin”. This flask type was named(by collectors) after the famed Pitkin Glass Works which operated in East Manchester, CT from 1783 until the 1830s, as it was once believed that all of the Pitkin-style flasks produced in New England originated at this glasshouse.  Pickin’ Pitkins...
Article… Early American Utility Bottles

Article… Early American Utility Bottles

The objects discussed in this article are very likely from New England, 1750s – 1820s period. This is merely a basic overview of common (and some not so common) forms. An article should (and could) be written for each one!  Early American Utility...
Article… Dipping Into Early American Inkwells!

Article… Dipping Into Early American Inkwells!

As a collector’s glass interest increases , their pocketbook and space to display decreases. Well, this article can help you with the latter. Inkwells are the jewels of the bottle collecting world, and a collector can amass a stunning group of them without the clutter that often plagues the bottle enthusiast. I say that with a smile, as I look at my surroundings. This regular household utilitarian item of yesterday comes in a number of different forms and colors, each with its own character and beauty. Dipping Into Early American...
Article…. Embossed Vs. Un-embossed Molds

Article…. Embossed Vs. Un-embossed Molds

If you have ever found yourself spending a Saturday night analyzing the mold markings of a bottle under a high-powered light and a loupe… well, you might be a glass geek! After a couple nights of “geeking out”, I find myself having more questions and fewer answers. As every collector knows, the therapeutic time spent playing with your bottles is a good part of the excitement of being a collector. Sharing your finds with other collectors completes the circle! After a little investigative work, here are some observations. Embossed vs Unembossed...
Article… Blown Three Mold Glass In America

Article… Blown Three Mold Glass In America

Liquid brilliance, ornate mold design, and pure Yankee ingenuity could best describe the Blown Three Mold glass produced in America during the first half of the 19th century. So what is Blown Three Mold (also commonly referred to as BTM)? It is a mold-blown process developed as an inexpensive alternative to the Anglo-Irish cut glass being imported into early America. Three-piece hinged molds were produced with intricate patterns very similar to cut glass, and a high-quality (usually flint) glass was blown into these molds. Blown Three Mold...