Cambridge Betters Own Record
by Mark Nye
Issue No. 232 - August 1992
Summer months were generally quiet ones at the glass factories. Most factories usually closed for two weeks during July. The summer was spent creating new lines for the coming season and hence very little new was generated during the summer. New lines were usually not announced until late in the year, although, on occasion, lines were brought out in the Fall in time for the Holiday buying season. Trade journals often had little to report during the summer months and significant articles were few in number. The prime time for announcements and trade journal write-ups was late fall and on into winter and early spring. It is to this time period we that turn for this month's article.
The following article first appeared February 1931 when it was published in Crockery and Glass Journal.
"This season the Cambridge Glass Co., Cambridge O., are excelling even their own previous record in that they are showing more new things than ever before. Their line now on display in their showrooms at 184 Fifth Avenue is truly amazing in its variety of items, shapes, colors and patterns.
Dominating the scene is their new 'Carmen' or ruby glassware, in a fine clear red with the lovely warmth of wine or jelly, the result of two years' research. It comes in a short line of dinnerware, vases, bowls and candlesticks, as well as a striking line of stemware footed in crystal or in complete Carmen in Cambridge's three new shapes that run through virtually their whole showing of stemware in other patterns and colors. One is made with a square foot and stem; another, with a fluted stem and a third with a mitered ball stem. All three shapes possess much grace and dignity.
Speaking of Cambridge colors, they have evolved as new amethyst that is singularly soft and glowing, as well as a fine clear Ritz blue that comes only in stemware on new Cambridge shapes as described above. An interesting and smart color effect in their short lines of dinnerware and stemware is a two-tone combination of amber and their exclusive gold-krystol. A wide variety of permutations and combinations is possible with these two colors, whether they both appear in the same piece or in different pieces, as for instance, a gold-krystol cup on an amber saucer.
The display of new patterns in rock crystal cuttings in stem and flatware is very lovely. One is a conventional design and two others at different price levels are in exquisite floral patterns. Worthy of mention in these lines are the new cream soups, bon-bon dishes, relish dishes, with and without handles, and a combined celery and relish dish. There are also two very fine new cuttings, in the higher priced rock crystal stemware.
Those who visited the Pittsburgh show will remember the pieces first shown there in ebony with a filled decoration in silver in both the Apple Blossom and Gloria patterns. The castle scene of their Windsor pattern has been newly applied to black footed vases and iced tea sets in crystal.
Two new patterns have been brought out, the Lorna on the Decagon shape, and the Brettonne (Brettone), a lace pattern that will harmonize especially well with lace table cloths and runners. Both these patterns are made in a full line in all the popular Cambridge colors and crystal. Two new bellbowled stemware shapes are introduced in these patterns, one in each.
Two particularly lovely reproductions in crystal are the Victorian and Stratford lines. The former is a puntie design in low-footed stemware, bowls, vases, candy jar, sugar and creamer, candlesticks and plates. The Stratford is a spiked design in a complete line. Both have the fine feeling of old glass.
There are many single items that show real creative imagination. Noteworthy are a twoway leaf candlestick in crystal or green with excellent detail in the veining of the leaves, and a crystal flower holder figure in the shape of a tall heron. For their 'Victorian' candelabra we predict great popularity, as they combine grace and beauty of form with the practicability of a patented lock top. The prisms ad bobasche (bobeche) are in crystal while the puntie stems are in color or crystal The one we saw in ruby was particularly effective.
Cambridge has met the reviving popularity of the punch bowl with two lovely examples, both somewhat tall and vase shaped. A footed ivy bowl is unusual in that its colored or ebony bowl and crystal stem reverse the usual order in ivy bowls.
A complete line of cut fluted tumblers ranges up to twenty ounces. Included in this showing is an old-fashioned cocktail, now in such popular request. Some beautiful etchings are effectively applied on the line. New two and three compartment relish dishes come in all colors. There is also on display a variety of footed salts and peppers both squat and tall with glass tops, in color or with crystal bases and colored bowls.
We observe too, that Cambridge has enlarged its dinnerware line by adding additional square shapes."
The original article was illustrated with a single photograph showing two goblets, Nos. 3035 and 3025, the No. 1226 10" 2 handled plate etched Lorna, and a 3400/75 square cup and saucer etched Gloria.
Take your copy of the 1930-34 catalog reprint and see how many of the other patterns, etc. that were mentioned you can find and identify. If you don't have a copy of this reprint, now would be a good time to purchase one.