Carnival, Fenton, & Hobnail, OH MY!

As you can probably already tell I have quite a love for porcelain and glassware. In addition to Ballerina Ware, Fransiscan Ware, and Lefton I also love collecting pieces that were produced by the “Fenton Art Glass Company.” In 1905 brothers Frank L. Fenton and John W. Fenton founded the Fenton Art Glass Company in Martins Ferry, Ohio. In the beginning they painted glass blanks produced by other glass makers, but then started making their own glass when they were unable to purchase the glass needed. In 1906 the brother’s moved the factory to Williamstown, West Virginia and within a year they were producing their own glass. 

                                    Carnival Glass Bowl, Photo Courtesy of Jennifer

Though the designer and decorator was Frank Fenton, from 1905 to 1920 the designs were heavily influenced by the Tiffany and Steuben glass companies. Fenton’s many different colors were the work of a famous glass chemist Jacob Rosenthal. One of my favorite kinds of glass to collect is called “Carnival Glass,” which was first introduced at the end of 1907 and has become a popular collectible. Fenton has created some of the most beautiful glass pieces, but during the Great Depression and World War II they began to produce more practical items such as mixing bowls and tableware. New colors were also a result of this time period of practicality. Another popular glass item is referred to as “Hobnail” which Fenton began selling in 1939. But one particular style of Hobnail would become the top selling line resulting in the company’s expansion, this style is referred to as “Milk Glass.” 

 

                                          Fenton Glass Basket, Photo Courtesy Jennifer

The top three members of Fenton’s management died in the late 1940s, which is when family members Frank Fenton and Wilmer “Bill” Fenton stepped into place as President and Vice President. Despite troublesome times financially, Fenton Glass has remained open to this day and is still producing a high quality product. 

                                  Milk Glass Hobnail Bowl, Photo courtesy Jennifer

Fun Story: When I was a senior in high school, I went to a garage sale where an elderly lady was selling a carnival glass bowl and matching candle stick holders. I expressed how much I loved it and she replied saying that because I loved it so much and she felt the pieces would be going to a “good home” that I could purchase it all for only $4.00. Currently the bowl alone is selling for $30-$35. 

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Could your plastic jewelry possibly be actual Bakelite?

Though I love accessorizing with jewelry it’s not something I tend to collect, however each day jewelry is becoming a more popular item to collect, and though many people first think of diamond jewelry, believe it or not there happens to be a plastic jewelry called “Bakelite” that is a very desirable item today. Bakelite jewelry was most popular between 1909 and the 1940s during the Art Deco period. These pieces were originally created as costume jewelry for an economical way to dress up clothing outfits.  

Bakelite was invented in the early 1900s by Dr. Leo Bakeland. After realizing that the plastic material would cool quickly and wouldn’t melt even under higher temperatures, Bakeland took out a patent on the idea in 1907. The material that was heated to a melting point and then poured into molds which was used to create numerous things even including toys and parts for electronics. Strangely Bakeland let the patent expire and Catalin Corporation purchased it and began creating their jewelry marked Bakelite-Catalin. There were a variety of popular jewelry designs made and the product was sold in both expensive stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue and smaller stores such as Woolworth’s. 

Though Bakelite was an inexpensive popular product, many companies stopped using it in the early 40s as the need for World War II products were a necessity. When the war ended new plastic technologies had developed leaving Bakelite behind in the past. Today it’s important to know how to tell if a piece is real Bakelite, or another type of faux plastic. Remember in the beginning we discussed how real Bakelite cannot melt, well one of the best ways to test is to take a red hot pin and touch it to the back of a piece, if it remains unharmed you have the real deal, if it melts or burns the piece then you know it’s a fake! So the next time you go vintage jewelry shopping and run across a piece of Bakelite remember its unique and interesting history! 

Here’s a little fun story: About a year ago a purchased a small box of jewelry, because it was all jumbled up together and undesirable looking it sold for around $5.00. A few weeks later when I was going through the box I discovered some simple plastic pieces of jewelry. My mother and I tested the pieces and were surprised to find out they were actual Bakelite!! It was a neat and unexpected discovery!

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The History of Geo Lefton & Occupied Japan

Another product I enjoy collecting are “Lefton” porcelain items. Lefton too has an interesting history which began in 1939 when George Lefton a Hungarian immigrant arrived in Chicago, IL.

George had a love for collecting fine porcelain, though his background was in marketing and designing specialty clothing. After his move and “new start” in the U.S., George decided to take his love of fine porcelain to the next level. In 1941 the Lefton Company was founded.  

Though I personally collect any pieces stamped with the variety of Lefton markings, I particularly enjoy finding pieces marked “Occupied Japan.” And that’s because these pieces too have an interesting history. In 1941 when Pearl Harbor was bombed, many Japanese owned businesses were looted. George helped board up a shop owned by a Japanese-American friend named Nunome. Nunome in return helped George in making relationships and connections with china producers in Occupied Japan. In 1946 the first pieces of Lefton china were produced marked with the stamping “Made in Occupied Japan.” From 1946 to 1952 Lefton china was produced in Occupied Japan including a large variety of pieces. Designs ranged from delicate formal pieces with soft floral patterns to more whimsical and playful designs.   

                                                   My very first Lefton piece marked "Made in Occupied Japan"

 Lefton china continued being produced in Japan until the 1970s and then later in the 1980s production was moved to Taiwan and Malaysia. The Lefton family eventually sold the company in 2001, however production under the Lefton name still continues.

Now to answer the question “How do you tell if a piece is real?” You can identify these pieces by examining the base. Markings may vary but include “Lefton’s,” Lefton China,” “Geo. Z. Lefton,” G.Z.L,” or just the letter “L.” And of course those made between the years 1946 and 1952 will include the marking “Made in Occupied Japan.” I hope you have once again enjoyed my post and learned something new!

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Finding a "Real" piece of Jadeite!

In a recent post I blogged about Jadeite glassware and how it is a favorite of mine as well as many others. At that time I noted that I did not currently own any "real" pieces that were correctly marked. Well, I'm excited to say that all changed last weekend when I found and purchased a Jadeite "sugar canister" for $5.00 at a local auction.  

While walking up and down the aisle of tables looking at the diverse merchandise, I spotted the canister from across the room and thought the green coloring was awfully familiar. When I picked it up and inspected the bottom I was happily surprised to see it was correctly marked to identify as a real piece of Jadeite!

                                           Genuine Jadeite "Sugar Canister," photo courtesy Jennifer Cox

Now with that said, in the picture you will notice the lid is made of clear glass instead of the green colored glass. Though the lid fits the canister top and I know the bottom green canister piece is the real deal, I'm not convinced the lid is a genuine Jadeite piece. In fact I'm almost positive it's not! However I am thrilled to know the bottom is the real thing and to own my first piece of this fabulous glassware. 

Because I'm not sure about the validity of the lid, I have decided to pack it away and put the base (green canister) to work on my kitchen counter top. You can find this item holding kitchen utensils such as wooden spoons, spatulas, etc. I hope in my search of antiques and vintage that I can find other matching canisters and maybe a lid for the piece I recently purchased. It was exciting to see on ebay that my canister with the matching lid was currently bringing $128.00. I think for the $5.00 I paid for mine I will be able to truly enjoy it for many years, not to mention that it's pulling its weight around my house holding all those utensils!! 

Click here for a look at the canisters found on ebay!

Joseph or Josef Originals?

I began acquiring collectibles at a young age, in fact my first love of collecting are figurines. Though I collect many different figurines one of my favorite are referred to as Josef Originals. And like many antiques they too have an interesting past.

                                                                     Photo of Josef Original, courtesy of Jennifer Cox

These unique figurines all started with a California woman named Muriel Joseph in 1942. Muriel had been making Lucite jewelry under the name “Muriel of California,” however World War II affected the price of Lucite making it an unaffordable product to produce. In 1945 Muriel decided to convert her skills into making ceramic figurines out of the basement and garage of her home. Now you may have noticed that Muriel’s last name “Joseph” does not match the spelling of “Josef” in “Josef Originals.” That’s because their printer misspelled the name on the label and due to time constraints had no time to reprint and fix it. Thus “Josef Originals” was born! 

                                               Photo of J.O. "Dutch Girl" & "Ballerina" figurines, Courtesy of Jennifer Cox

Muriel’s earlier pieces were mainly of children, pixies, and animals of all kinds which she greatly enjoyed designing. But in the early 1950s she discovered that cheap reproductions were being made in Japan. In response to this news she decided to make some very beautiful detailed pieces that would not be so easy to copy. However these newer pieces were more expensive and the knock off product began to strain the business. Eventually in 1954 there was a discussion of moving the production of these figurines to Japan to help reduce expenses. In 1960 they opened a factory in Japan and Muriel spent six weeks there teaching the workers how she wanted things done. After her time in the factory she would create the designs at home in California, send them and instructions to the factory, and then the pieces were sent back for her approval. With majority of the work being done at the factory Muriel was able to take the time to create many beautiful, cute, and highly sought after pieces. 

           Photo of two J.O. figurines "Girl holding a basket" and a "Happy 9th Birthday," courtesy Jennifer Cox

Muriel continued to create new designs until 1985 though she had retired in 1981. The company was bought by George Good in 1982 and sold to Southland Corporation in 1985 in which the Josef Original name now belongs to Applause, Inc. However the most collectible pieces are those made during the ownership of Muriel. When searching for the “real deal,” look for figurines that are signed, have a high gloss finish, black eyes, and usually are marked on the bottom, or have a black oval sticker stating the name “Josef Original” in silver or gold lettering. Most figurines are worth between $30 and $50. Though some are worth as much as $125 to $150.00!

Muriel Joseph passed away in 1992, but lives on through her many beautiful creations.

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