Gloria
by Mark Nye
Issue No. 111 - July 1982
EDITOR'S NOTE: The following article is the first of a series of articles by Mark Nye dealing with the "Cambridge Girls", i.e. those etchings bearing girls' names.
Gloria, or plate etching #746 was first shown in a Cambridge Glass Co. catalog supplement issued during late summer or early fall of 1930. The October 1930 issue of "China, Glass and Lamps" carried an ad for the pattern with the caption "NEW." The same trade journal also published ads for Gloria in the February and November 1931 issues. The pattern was discontinued prior to 1940 since the Cambridge catalog issued in January of that year did not list Gloria in the etching index.
Gloria was primarily used on the 3400 line. The Cambridge catalog
supplements issued from 1930 to 1934 show the Gloria etching on at
least 79 different 3400 line items plus 15 miscellaneous pieces, mostly
vases (8) and tumblers (3). In addition to the 3400 line dinnerware,
there are at least six stemware lines etched Gloria including the famed
Cambridge nudes. However, nudes found with the Gloria etching would be
considered exceptional and rare items. In addition to the nudes or 3011
stemware, other stemware lines used were 3035, 3120, 3130, 3135 and
3025.
Colors and color combinations on which Gloria may be found are Gold Krystol, Gold Krystol and Amber, Heatherbloom, Crystal, Peach-blo, Amber, Amethyst, Emerald (light), Emerald (dark), and Willow Blue. It should be noted that these are not listed in the order of frequency found. I would venture to say that Gold Krystal, Crystal, Peach-blo and Emerald (light) are the least difficult colors to find with the Gloria etching. Gold encrusted pieces were also produced in color and Crystal and there is a possibility of finding the etching on colors other than those listed here.
Gloria on Heatherbloom #3035 goblets, tall sherbets and cocktails are known as well as 3400/54 cups and saucers and 3400/62 salad plates. Cups and saucers (3400/54) are known to exist in Willow Blue.
The Gloria pattern was also done in silver on ebony ware and in these cases, designated as Decoration D/971-S. Use of the pattern in this manner appears to have been limited to occasional and accessory pieces, such as console sets, vases, pitchers and plates.
Based on the number of catalog pages and the wide range of dinnerware, stemware and accessory items shown, Cambridge obviously intended for Gloria to be a major line. Its absence today indicates it never achieved that status. This pattern may be found, but not with the frequency one would expect from viewing the catalog pages. Why it never became a big seller remains a mystery to me; and if it did become a success, where is the glass?
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