Cambridge -- The First Years, Part V
by Mark A. Nye
Issue No. 209 - September 1990
Author's Note: Probably at this point we should rename this series The Early Years, since by January 1918 Cambridge Glass Company had been making glass for almost 16 years. The first three items this month are two different viewpoints of the same event, namely the Cambridge Exhibit at the January 1918 Pittsburgh Show, and are taken from China, Glass and Lamps and Crockery and Glass Journal.
01/14/18 "When one enters the Cambridge Glass Co.'s display in Room 728, one could easily imagine going into a veritable crystal palace. The exhibit is complete in every detail and has been arranged in excellent style. The company's latest creation is the decorated, 'Venetian' and 'Sateen o' Pearl' lines. These are certainly all that is claimed for them and must be seen to be appreciated. An extremely large line of light cuttings, needle and plate etchings in vases, comports, sugars and creams, tumblers, jugs, etc., is on display. The 'Moonlight,' a sort of iridescent ware, is also a nice line. The usual line of 'Nearcut' pressed ware is on display and a plain gold band decoration is also included in the list. A clever novelty is two large cut aquariums filled with live gold fish." CGL
01/10/18 "Two leading features of the Cambridge Glass Co.'s display are gold-encrusted decorations and transparent encrustations - the latter also to be had in mother of pearl finish. The line includes jugs, vases, footed comports, nappies, water sets and other special pieces. Several new light cut designs with gold band and line treatments are featured in crystal glass." CGJ
01/31/18 "Dealers should not fail to visit the showroom of the Cambridge Glass Co., 49 West Twenty-third Street, where D. King Irwin is displaying some interesting additions to the concern's line. Buyers of stores catering to a discriminating class of trade will be particularly attracted to several very high class decorations. One of these, a delicate frosted iridescent glass, to be had in several odd-colored band treatments, and somewhat suggestive of Venetian ware, provides an exceedingly salable assortment of items, including jugs, tumblers, vases, stemware, etc. The same glass is also shown with various designs etched in colors. Then there are some rich gold encrustations on a line of superior quality crystal. These include beautiful band patterns as well as other elaborate conceptions, one or two in combination with heavy colored enamel designs being very fine. They are shown to particular advantage on such items as handled sandwich trays, sweet-pea vases, etc." CGJ
(Author's Note: The frosted, iridescent glass mentioned in the preceding may very well be what is known today as Pomona. Apparently there were advertisements in both major trade publications that might shed some light on this topic and hopefully, in the future, copies can be obtained.)
09/19/18 "D. King Irwin is displaying the first samples of a line of stemware and specialities from the Cambridge Glass Co. in a new iridescent treatment called 'Golden Glow.' It is shown on very graceful shapes, which together with the richness of coloring will undoubtedly make it exceedingly popular." CGJ (Note 'Golden Glow' has not yet been positively identified.)
10/28/18 "Every employee on the payroll at the Cambridge Glass Co.'s works, Cambridge, Ohio, went over the top during the Fourth Liberty Loan drive and President Arthur J. Bennett and Secretary W. C. McCartney are very proud of the excellent showing made in all departments of the big plant. This factory was also there with bells on during the previous Liberty Loan campaigns, a truly inspiring example of American patriotism." CGL
01/20/19 "One of the leading assortments of specialties in cut glass, pressed and blown novelties at the Pittsburg Show is the one shown by the Cambridge Glass Co., Cambridge, O., with W. C. McCartney in charge. The Colonial line of this company is complete in every way, more than 120 items being attractively presented on the tables. This ware also is proving a winner with the trade. There is a great variety of light cut, needle and plate etched goods, all in generous supply. This company has on exhibition one of the largest shows of cut and plain glass salts and peppers in the hotel and this alone, while but one item of the Cambridge's many lines, is one that is proving it has an appeal. There also is a complete line of soda fountain supplies as well as many other pieces to numerous to mention. The greater part of the display is presented on mirrored surfaces, adding not a little to the attractiveness of the entire exhibit." CGL
01/23/19 "While the Cambridge Glass Co. has not as large an exhibit as formerly, the best creations of the factory are being shown by W. C. McCartney, assisted by L. S. Crain. A general line of tableware, light cut, needle and plate etched goods are on display, and a special feature is being made of salts and peppers. Soda fountain requisites are also shown in great variety." CGJ
(Author's Note: Once again, we have two perspectives of the same Cambridge exhibit, this time at the 1919 Pittsburg show.)
03/25/20 "Local (New York City) manager Alex. G. Menzies, is showing an array of attractive new things from the Cambridge Glass Co., at the concern's New York salesroom, 49 West Twenty-third street. Among them are some of the best achievements of their career. An ambitious effort that is very creditable is deep plate etching of unusual beauty called 'Wedgewood.' It is a rather elaborate, yet very tasteful, conception that is selling very satisfactorily in the retail stores. It is made in a most complete line of items even including some novelties as bathroom powder jars which are used to considerable extent in England. Another equally pleasing line is the 'Egyptian' a new fluted design that is particularly clever. The 'Betty' vase assortment consisting of six excellent styles in a very effective etched chrysanthemum pattern in also especially good." CGJ
10/28/20 "When fire was discovered in a part of the plant of the Cambridge glass Co., at Cambridge, O., the sprinkler system saved the spread of the flames. The damage to the plant was slight, and did not interfere with factory operations." CGJ
(Author's Note: Cambridge advertisements published in December 1920 and January 1921 issues of the trade publications featured the Chelsea pattern but other than an invitation to visit the 1921 Pittsburg show, carried no significant text.)
01/20/21 "Four new lines of floral and line cut art glassware is made a leading feature of the exhibit of the Cambridge Glass Co., this season, which has been arranged at the Hotel Henry. A number of new plate etched designs are being shown on water sets, these being quite novel and attractive. On their pressed and blown blanks, two new plate etched designs are displayed. Three lines of pressed cut ware are included in the display in addition to the complete line of shapes and soda fountain requisites. The salesmen in charge of the display include W. C. McCartney, E. A. Mechling, John Nixon of Philadelphia, Alex. Menzies, New York and William Amidon of Boston. The exhibit is the second largest quartered in the Hotel Henry." CGJ
03/03/21 "Officials of the Cambridge Glass Co. of Cambridge, O., did not fail to remember its employees when it announced the distribution of $12,000 cash among its employees. In addition, the employees were presented with an insurance policy for a year, with the annual premium paid up." CGJ
04/28/21 "Alex. Menzies, New York Manager for the Cambridge Glass Company, has a number of interesting new items from the factory which are not on exhibition at the concern's salesroom, 49 West 23rd Street. They are attracting considerable attention and deserve all they receive. The No. 4095 line offers all sorts of seasonable items, such as iced tea and grape juice sets, berry bowls, stemware, comports, and other articles in excellent shapes with an original light cut design that is quite refreshing. Fine horizontal lines with a fancy top employed with a floral spray pattern is worked out very pleasingly. The No. 4076 is another which introduces a spray border and line treatment to excellent advantage. Several specially good designs are also shown in vases that should make lively sellers." CGJ
06/23/21 "It would be difficult to select a more tasteful table service than from any of the three beautiful etched patterns the 'Dresden,' 'Adam,' or 'Wedgewood,' made by the Cambridge Glass Co. New York manager Alex. Menzies is now showing the complete assortment of items made in each design at the company's salesroom 49 West 23rd Street, which consists of considerably more that the usual number of articles to be found in lines of this character. For instance, besides stemware and all the things one would ordinarily use in an every day table service, there are candlesticks, cheese and cracker dishes, flower bowls, cake plates, covered comports, iced tea sets, syrup jugs, candy jars, etc. The buyer is sure to appreciate the daintiness of both the designs and shapes in these lines and he will see their money making possibilities at a glance." CGJ
12/15/21 "We invite you to visit our display in Room 728 of the Fort Pitt Hotel, Pittsburg, Pa., during the annual Glass Exhibition January 9th to 28th inclusive. We should also be pleased to have you see our exhibition at Room 339, Morrison Hotel, Chicago, Ill., during the Chicago Show, February 6th to 18th. As usual we will show you new ideas and novelties in glass. The Cambridge Glass Company, Cambridge, Ohio, U.S.A." CGJ
Author's Note: With this, we end the series "The Early Years." During 1922 Cambridge was to celebrate its 20th birthday and hence was long past its early years. Color was to come into its own during 1922 and Azurite was one of the "new ideas" cited in the preceding item. Colors, opaque and transparent, have been covered in previous series and to continue this current one would repeat much of what was previously published.