Reproductions
by Russell Vogelsong
Issue No. 58 - January, 1978
We hear so much today of reproductions. Whether it is furniture, glassware, pottery or art. The finer things in life will always be reproduced. Glass companies of yesteryear were no exception. The Cambridge Glass Company chose to reproduce some of the finer antiques in glass, we believe you will find this article of interest.
Cambridge's first line offered was "NEARCUT", imitation cut glass. Few could afford cut glass of the period, but almost anyone could buy NEARCUT. With virtually hundreds of items to choose from, NEARCUT found a place in many homes, and is a popular collector's item in both clear and iridized (Carnival) colored crystal.
Another popular
line was the Gadroon pattern (pressed) line of wares. It may be found
in a variety of colors and etchings, and was a copy of the fine 300
year old silver service from England. This pattern is illustrated at left.
The Cambridge Rams Head bowl was an exact replica of an old Wedgwood pattern bowl of England also.
The different
size "Doulton" pitchers were also in the Cambridge line. These were a
direct copy of the famous Royal Doulton pitcher, again copies from
English ware. Doulton pitcher is shown at right.
Cambridge
also used historic and romantic names to headline their wares.
Lexington was the name of a heavy pressed line in honor of the Minute
Men. Pictured in the "Lexington" section of the Cambridge catalog is
the Bronze statue of a Minute Man and the stone engraved with the date
1630. Lexington is shown at left.
I am sure these historic names were used to give Cambridge Glass more buying appeal with the public.
Mount
Vernon was also advertised as an early American pressed pattern in the
sawtooth type glass. A Mount Vernon plate is at right.
Martha Washington was the name given to an
early American thumbprint pattern, and it was a big seller. A piece
of Martha Washington is shown at left.
So it is no different, as in years past, collectors held their breath, hoping that the Cambridge Glass Company, along with other glass companies, would not lower the value of their highly prized collections, by copies of old glassware.
(Reprinted with permission from Vogelsong Newsletter Vol. I, No. 3, September 28, 1971.)