I posted this item on the Everyday Elegant Glass Forum. Someone said that it could be Pairpoint, from the later – 1950s – production line. While I was poking about the ‘net I came across this website – Pairpoint Glass Knowledge Centre. Very interesting. The site offered the option to have your pieces identified for $5.00. I leapt at the chance and was grateful for the response. I will post another update to a piece that I also asked about. Here’s what was said about this pitcher….
“I think you made a good buy on your pitcher, even adding the $5 you sent to us. We are virtually certain that your pitcher was made during the Robert Bryden Pairpoint years in Sagamore, Mass. The heavy foot and small size is very typical of his style of work. Bryden was the Sales Manager for Pairpoint in it’s final years in the 1950s. Upon the original factory closing, Bryden obtained the business rights and name, and struggled to keep the company prosperous for another 30 years or so.
Everything about the work on your pitcher speaks Bryden’s style. Most of his items were of a smaller stature, and were left plain or enamel-decorated. Some engraved work was done, but from my observations, it was relatively limited by comparison. I have found that his engraving patterns were very reminiscent of the old Pairpoint designs and style, while not being perfect replications of any particular documented pattern. Additionally, the engraving work did not quite meet the perfection known on the early Pairpoint products.
Finally, Pairpoint did not ever sign their work permanently unless specifically asked to by a customer. When they did sign, they hand etched, using a diamond stylus, a “Diamond P” just like yours. I think Bryden was a little more prolific at using the Diamond P logo on their work. Newer Pairpoint has an acid-etches script with the full Pairpoint name on their work.
The slight uncertainty I may be displaying in my answer is because Bryden did not document his production like the old company. There was more randomness, so someone like me has to go on accumulated observations.”
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Original Post – November 17, 2013
My contributions to my blog have slowed. There is only so much glass that one person can keep acquiring! I am trying hard to slow down on my pace of purchases, although I did order something online recently and am chatting about some other pieces.
Picked this pitcher up yesterday. We were downtown for the Santa Claus Parade and I wandered into HSD Antiques. I am always so happy that we have such great local businesses in our community and I like to support them.
I noticed this pretty pitcher with the uppercase “P” on the base. I wondered if this was a Pairpoint signature. It wa obviously a quality piece of glass. So I picked it up.
Sure enough I read online that Pairpoint has signed pieces this way, usually at the request of a customer. I’ve also read that there are some Pairpoint counterfeits as well. In any case I haven’t been able to identify it yet. But I read up on Pairpoint (New Bedford, Massachusetts) and that was interesting. I’m adding a link to the Mount Washington and Pairpoint Glass Society on my page with American Associations.
If you check ebay there are some beautiful Pairpoint pieces. Beautiful art glass.
I’ve posted this online looking for some assistance. Hopefully someone will be willing to share their knowledge.
We went out to an auction last night. There were many pieces of Mary Gregory in cranberry, blue, green, amber and clear. All types of pieces in various hues.
I really liked the blue and green colours, but all my reading said that the cranberry was the most valuable. I did try to get a couple vases, but they went for more than I was willing to pay.
