This is a Fine Arrangement!
by Georgia G. Otten
Issue 301 – May 1998
The spring flowers abound and summer flowers are coming soon. Time to bring some inside for the table. Want to make it perfect? Need some help? Well, the answer could be to use one of the numerous Cambridge flower arrangers. Cambridge made many different styles of arrangers, but I would like to write about the figurals. The Miami Valley Study Club used this as a topic for one of their monthly meetings.
I believe patent number 1.645,577 resulted in one of the most recognizable Cambridge production items – The patent application for a flower holder was made by A.J. Bennett on January 2S, 1926 The patent was granted on October 18, 1927.
Below is a copy from the patent application. Also shown are three base types:
- Type 1 has the longer vertical flutes and is the base shown on the original application.
- Type 2 has no flutes, it is a smooth-sided base.
- Type 3 represents the latest of the bases. It has short flutes which are close together.
Although the patent application shows a figure similar to what we know as “Rose Lady”, the Cambridge Glass Company had already advertised the innovation in China, Glass, & Lamps. The cover March 29, 1926, featured Geisha Girl (One Bun), and the May 17, 1926. edition featured a 13″ Draped Lady On Style I base. Rose Lady appeared on the cover November 21, 1927. It is not clear which figural came first without documentation, but the fact is that the patent was for the base idea and not the figural. For example, the number 1,645,577 appears on the OVAL BASE of a TWO KID; on a STYLE 2 base on an 8 1/2″ DRAPED LADY; and on a 6″ BASHFUL CHARLOTTE. I have not seen the patent number on a Style 1 base.
At our meeting we had 26 examples on display. These represented 12 of the 13 figurals. (The “Eagle” owned by one of our members was in the museum.) The figurals were in Crystal and 13 different colors, and all three base styles were shown. We had all these pieces in front of us and that is so educational. Here is some information about the figures and page numbers from catalogs where you can see each one. Examples can also be found on various pages in “Colors by Cambridge.”
| Flower Arranger | Comments |
|---|---|
| TURTLE |
|
| DRAPED LADY |
|
| GEISHA |
|
| ROSE LADY |
|
| EAGLE |
|
| TWO KID |
|
| BASHFUL CHARLOTTE |
|
| BIRD ON A STUMP |
|
| MANDOLIN LADY |
|
| HERON |
|
| BLUE JAY |
|
| SEA GULL |
|
| MELON BOY |
|
Having looked at some patent information, then feasted our eyes on our display, we went from the specs to the spectacular! The flower arrangers are most elegant and would add beauty and originality to any table. Our club display was grand to say the least. A program cannot be put together without everyone’s contribution and so I say “bouquets to the members for helping.” Then well take those bouquets, choose a Cambridge flower holder and say: This is a Fine Arranqement
by Georgia G. Otten
Issue 301 – May 1998
The spring flowers abound and summer flowers are coming soon. Time to bring some inside for the table. Want to make it perfect? Need some help? Well, the answer could be to use one of the numerous Cambridge flower arrangers. Cambridge made many different styles of arrangers, but I would like to write about the figurals. The Miami Valley Study Club used this as a topic for one of their monthly meetings.
I believe patent number 1.645,577 resulted in one of the most recognizable Cambridge production items – The patent application for a flower holder was made by A.J. Bennett on January 2S, 1926 The patent was granted on October 18, 1927.
Below is a copy from the patent application. Also shown are three base types:
- Type 1 has the longer vertical flutes and is the base shown on the original application.
- Type 2 has no flutes, it is a smooth-sided base.
- Type 3 represents the latest of the bases. It has short flutes which are close together.
Although the patent application shows a figure similar to what we know as “Rose Lady”, the Cambridge Glass Company had already advertised the innovation in China, Glass, & Lamps. The cover March 29, 1926, featured Geisha Girl (One Bun), and the May 17, 1926. edition featured a 13″ Draped Lady On Style I base. Rose Lady appeared on the cover November 21, 1927. It is not clear which figural came first without documentation, but the fact is that the patent was for the base idea and not the figural. For example, the number 1,645,577 appears on the OVAL BASE of a TWO KID; on a STYLE 2 base on an 8 1/2″ DRAPED LADY; and on a 6″ BASHFUL CHARLOTTE. I have not seen the patent number on a Style 1 base.
At our meeting we had 26 examples on display. These represented 12 of the 13 figurals. (The “Eagle” owned by one of our members was in the museum.) The figurals were in Crystal and 13 different colors, and all three base styles were shown. We had all these pieces in front of us and that is so educational. Here is some information about the figures and page numbers from catalogs where you can see each one. Examples can also be found on various pages in “Colors by Cambridge.”
| Flower Arranger | Comments |
|---|---|
| TURTLE |
|
| DRAPED LADY |
|
| GEISHA |
|
| ROSE LADY |
|
| EAGLE |
|
| TWO KID |
|
| BASHFUL CHARLOTTE |
|
| BIRD ON A STUMP |
|
| MANDOLIN LADY |
|
| HERON |
|
| BLUE JAY |
|
| SEA GULL |
|
| MELON BOY |
|
Having looked at some patent information, then feasted our eyes on our display, we went from the specs to the spectacular! The flower arrangers are most elegant and would add beauty and originality to any table. Our club display was grand to say the least. A program cannot be put together without everyone’s contribution and so I say “bouquets to the members for helping.” Then well take those bouquets, choose a Cambridge flower holder and say: This is a Fine Arranqement
