Sequoia / Arcadia, Part I
by Willard Kolb
Issue No. 253 - May 1994
[Editor's Note: In the April 1994 issue of the Crystal Ball a letter from Bud Walker requested information on the "Sequoia" name and pattern. Willard Kolb has very generously provided the following information.]
Perhaps I can clear up some questions about Cambridge's "Sequoia" line. I cannot, however, explain why the name was changed to "Arcadia." Perhaps someone else can furnish that information.
A few years ago, I acquired parts of the "Manion Files" from a local person who deals in paper. Mr. Manion was a patent attorney in Wheeling, West Virginia, who handled patent work for many local glass companies. Following is the sequence of events that led up to the patenting of the "Sequoia" line.
July 28, 1941 - Mr. McCartney wrote to Mr. Manion telling him that he was sending a sample of a plate in the new "Sequoia" line and that they were going to make the other following items in this line: Tall sherbet, low sherbet, goblet, footed tumblers, 2-lite candlestick, berry dish, sugar and cream, bowls, candlesticks, mayonnaise set, relishes, comports, candy box, jug, ice pail, claret, wine, different size plates and salad bowls. He said that the plate was the only item they had produced to date, but he could send Mr. Manion black and white photos of the perfect drawings they had made up for the other pieces. Mr. McCartney indicated he wanted to cover this line completely and was asking Mr. Manion for advice on which of the listed items they should also seek Patents.
July 31, 1941 - Mr. Manion wrote to Mr. McCartney telling him he had received the sample of the plate. He suggested photos of the other pieces be sent to him for review. Mr. Manion asked for the name of the individual in whose name the application was to be made.
August 1, 1941 - Mr. McCartney writes to Mr. Manion telling him that he is including the photos or sketches of some of the items in the "Sequoia" line, but he cannot send him samples of the ware as they have not completed the moulds yet and, therefore, have produced none of the items excepting the plate. Mr. McCartney asks that these photos be returned to him immediately as the mould shop needs them to complete the moulds. The patent application is to be made in the name of Will Cameron McCartney.
August 4, 1941 - Mr. Manion writes Mr. McCartney telling him he is returning by parcel post the drawings of the "Sequoia" goblet, ice bucket and comport. He has made photostatic copies of the drawings and these will suffice for his purpose.
August 20, 1941 - Mr. Manion writes to Mr. McCartney telling him he is enclosing the design patent applications for the "Sequoia" plate, goblet, comport and bowl. The bowl is based on the ice bucket with the handles omitted and this will cover all other similar articles such as footed bowls and dishes. Mr. Manion asks that the applications be executed before a notary public being signed "Will Cameron McCartney."
August 21, 1941 - Mr. McCartney says he has signed the applications for design patents for the "SEQUOIA LINE" and is herewith returning them for processing.
October 7, 1941 - Mr. Manion informs McCartney that the applications for the design patents on the four "Sequoia" items (bowl, comport, plate and goblet) have been officially allowed by the Patent Office. He asks whether the patent terms should be extended, indicating that an additional government fee of $5.00 will be required in each case to extend the seven-year term, and an additional government fee of $20.00 will be required in each case to extend the fourteen-year term.
October 9, 1941 - Mr. McCartney replies to the letter of October 7, telling Mr. Manion that he is pleased that the design patents have been allowed for the four "Sequoia" items. He tells Mr. Manion that they would like the terms extended for the greatest possible time, which is fourteen years.
October 23, 1941 - Mr. Manion tells Mr. McCartney that the four design patents for the "Sequoia" articles will issue from the Patent Office on November 4, 1941, and will be mailed to him promptly following their receipt in his office.
November 5, 1941 - Mr. Manion writes to McCartney telling him that he is pleased to hand him the United States Design Patents Nos. 130,228 to 130,231 inclusive, dated November 4, 1941, issued for a term of fourteen years, and being directed to the bowl, comport, goblet and plate items of the "Sequoia" line.
November 6, 1941 - Mr. McCartney thanks Mr. Manion for the design patents #130,228 for bowl or similar article, #130,229 for comport or similar article, #130,230 for goblet or similar article and #130,231 for plate or similar article covering the "Sequoia" line.
This is the only information I have. I have no idea why these items appeared for the first time in a catalog under the heading "Arcadia" and were thus known during production. Perhaps someone else can furnish information to solve this mystery.