History
The
Fenton Art Glass
Company was founded in 1905, and was the first and
largest
producer of carnival glass, producing many different pieces in over 150
patterns.
They were well known for quality, and were among a very few makers who made
red carnival glass. After interest waned in the late 1920s, Fenton quit
producing
carnival glass for many years, but due to a resurgence in its popularity,
Fenton produces carnival glass today.
Decorative art glass called Iridill glass was originally produced by
Fenton in
1907, inspired by Tiffany and Steuben art glass. However, it did not command
the prices expected, and was subsequently discounted. Only after these
markdowns
was it frequently used as carnival prizes and as promotional giveaway items.
The popularity of this use made this a very profitable line for the Fenton
company.
Most U.S. carnival glass was made between 1907 and 1925, with production
tapering off by 1931. Some significant production continuing outside the
US through the depression years of the early 1930s, tapering off to very
little by the 1940s.
The name "carnival glass" was not commonly used until collectors in the
1950s
began to refer to it as such.
Variations
Carnival glass is made in many translucent colors, primarily amethyst,
marigold,
cobalt, green, and red. It is also made in opaque white, called milk glass,
and before the hazards of radiation were well known, it was made in
semi-transparent
or translucent pale green, called vaseline or uranium glass. Vaseline glass
and uranium glass actually contains traces of uranium salts (uranium
dioxide)
in the glass, it can luminese a faint green in reaction to UV light (blacklight).
Other colors of uranium glass were produced in lesser quantities.
Carnival glass was produced in large quantity by at least Fenton, Northwood,
Imperial, Millersburg, Westmoreland, Dugan/Diamond, Cambridge, and U.S.
Glass,
as well as smaller quantities by many smaller manufacturers. In addition,
simple pressed glass was iridized by third parties as well.
Collectables Market
Carnival glass is highly collectable. Prices vary widely, with some pieces
worth very little, while other, rare items command thousands of dollars.
Examples of carnival glass can be easily found in antique stores, and there
is a very active market for it on eBay.
Identification of carnival glass is frequently difficult. Many manufacturers
did not include a maker's mark in their product, and some did for only part
of the time they produced the glass. Identifying carnival glass involves
matching patterns, colors, sheen, edges, thickness, and other factors from
old manufacturer's trade catalogs, other known examples, or other reference
material. Since many manufacturers produced close copies of their rivals'
popular patterns, carnival glass identification can be challenging even for
an expert.
Carnival Glass
