A Look Back In Time Part I
by Mark Nye
Issue No. 453 - November 2011
The following appeared in the August 24, 1933 issue of "The Daily Jeffersonian," the Cambridge Ohio daily newspaper.
GLASS CO. WILL SET SECOND HUGE BATTERY OF FURNACES IN OPERATION FRIDAY A.M.
"The continued upswing of business in Cambridge is reflected in the announcement Thursday morning by Wilbur L. Orme, manager of The Cambridge Glass Co, that the plant will set the second set of its battery of three huge glass furnaces in operation Friday morning for a lengthy run. New orders which the company received recently are responsible. Since last May the company has been operating only one of its furnaces. The second was lighted two weeks ago when it appeared that additional business was forthcoming. Since then orders have been coming in in considerable volume and now the furnace is ready to tour out its glass products.
Starting of the second furnace means that the factory will be operated to two-thirds of capacity. Manager Orme is hopeful that the
upswing of business will continue and that soon all three of the furnaces will be in operation and the plant running at capacity. Work will
be given to approximately 50 old employees who were laid off last May when the furnace was shut down. Likewise, operation of the
furnace will mean steadier employment for men and women in all parts of the large factory. The output of one furnace was insufficient to
keep them at work continuously and as a result they received wages for only part-time employment. With the second furnace producing
ware, the mold, decorating and shipping departments will have increased work and the payroll of the plant will be materially increased.
This should benefit business in Cambridge generally."
The next item is taken from a 1932 advertisement that appeared in at least one trade journal.
"NEWEST CREATIONS FOR THE FALL SEASON
A full line of these beautiful early American glass novelties embellished with our NON-TARNISH sterling silver deposit, in crystal or
green. Most of the pieces can be retailed fro $5.00 each. Write for samples or photographs. Be sure and visit our show room when in
New York. Fifteen items including, jug, chop plate, bowl, vase, candy box, covered urn, candle sticks, cracker & cheese.
Edmondson Warrin Inc. Decorators of China and Glass New York City: Crockery and Glass Journal, August 1932
The illustration that completed the advertisement pictured pieces of the Cambridge Martha Washington Line. Included was the No. 18 (at left) 11 inch vase shown here as it appeared in a supplement to the 1930 Cambridge catalog.
"Did you meet Gloria in the Cambridge display?
If not you missed a real treat, charm, shape, dress and everything." Crockery and Glass Journal February 1931
Gloria is seen here as it appeared on a Cambridge catalog page (below).
President and Red Cross Head Commend Cambridge Glass Co.’s Generous Contribution.
The Guernsey County (Ohio) Red Cross drought relief campaign for a $4000 quota was given tremendous impetus January 30, when employees and officials of the Cambridge Glass Co. contributed approximately $1800. The whole hearted response of the company personnel was considered one of the most commendable charitable efforts ever made by a single industrial organization in this community and President Hoover, in a special letter to the local Red Cross Chapter, praised the employees and the officials for their hearty cooperation of relieve distress. Through his secretary, Lawrence Rickey, Present Hoover sent the following message of commendation to the Glass Co. and its employees:
The President appreciates the hearty co-operation of the employees of the Cambridge Glass Co. in the raising of funds for the Red Cross relief work. He is bringing it to the attention of Chairman Payne."
The Cambridge Glass Co received the following telegram from John Barton Payne, national chairman of the Red Cross, expressing appreciation for the contribution:
"Information that your employees have volunteered to donate an average day’s pay to Red Cross drought relief practically 100 per cent participating and the company subscribing an equal amount, has just reached us. The American Red Cross regards this as an outstanding illustration of sympathy for their fellowmen and as evidence of unselfish patriotic devotion to the welfare of country and to American institutions and expresses its warmest appreciation and thanks."
For every dollar given by the employees, the company donated a dollar. In this manner the $1800 contribution was raised. It was a free will offering by those who have work to their fellow men affect by the drought and out of work." Crockery and Glass Journal February, 1931
"Cambridge Glass Co. are showing in their Chicago showroom, 1547 Merchandise Mart, a number of attractive items.
"The Heron
Flower Holder is one of the most unique and attractive items of the season. It is offered only in crystal. Cambridge are also showing a
new candelabra in Carmen, gold crystal or crystal. This candelabra has bobeche of crystal and crystal tear drops. The Cambridge silver
decorations on ebony glass in both Appleblossom and Gloria are meeting with warm approval. Cambridge have also revived the punch
bowl in its near-cut design. A leaf design candlestick in green and crystal is also being shown." Crockery and Glass Journal March 1931
A New Water Jug Which Sells Itself
"Some things sell themselves and the new ball-shaped water jug here pictured is a case in point. [Ed. Note: The original article had a
picture of 3400 ball jug etched Apple Blossom.] This was on display less than a day at the New York showroom of the Cambridge Glass
Co., 184 Fifth Avenue, when orders began to come in from those who had seen it or heard about it.
The originality and attractiveness of the shape is immediately fascinating and one at once wonders whey the idea had been thought of
before. It is so good looking and so practical. Really there is no reason why we should go on forever using jugs that are the same as
they were since jugs were first made. Of course there isn’t, but it remained for the Cambridge Glass Co. to think so, design something
entirely different and put it into production.
The new jug is not at all difficult to enthuse over. Ball-shaped, its ice lip and handle are so placed that pouring is rendered simpler than with the old style jug and the user does not have to go through the gymnastics usually involved in picking up the ordinary jug. When not employed for its original purpose the new ball jug makes a most artistic and very unusual flower vase, lending itself particularly well as a container for apple blossoms and sprays of flowers. Its adaptability for sweet peas too is shown at the local Cambridge showroom. The jug is being shown in the delightful Cambridge etchings, Apple-Blossom, Lorna and Gloria, in plain crystal, peach, emerald and gold Krystol. Rock crystal cuttings are also in preparation. O. C. Graham, New York manager, is naturally very proud as well as enthusiastic about the new shape on which the company has applied for a patent for their protection against possible infringers. The number of the new jug is 3400-38." Crockery and Glass Journal May 1931
A copy of the patent illustration of what has become to be known as the "ball jug" accompanies this article.
Cambridge Centerpiece with New Candelabrums
"In combination with bowls to form console sets or used in pairs alone these distinctive and practical Luster Cut Prism Candelabrums
have, in their short time on the market, proven themselves excellent sellers.
A new locking device which holds the bobeche firmly in place yet which permits easy removal proves irresistible to the customer
searching for the unusual. A patent application is pending for this device which insures its exclusive manufacture by Cambridge.
The new candelabrums are made in five styles and range in height from 6½ to 11 inches. They come in Crystal, Gold Krystol, Ebony,
Amber, Emerald and Peach, all with Crystal bobeche and prisms. They may be had plain or color in crystal and etchings. The bowls,
of course, are obtainable in matching colors and etchings." Cambridge Glass Advertisement – Crockery and Glass Journal June 1931
Luster Cut Prism Candlesticks were shown on a supplemental page to the 1930 Cambridge catalog. A reprint of this catalog page is shown at right.
Author/editor’s note: Spelling and grammar in the quotes from Crockery and Glass Journal is original. In some instances it is not what we use today.