Collecting the beautiful deep red glass known as Ruby Glass is a rewarding hobby, and can range from the very expensive 19th century etched and hand-blown vases, to the modern kitchen ware we remember from our childhoods. But where to start?
Greetings,
I have recently starting collecting red glass and cannot seem to find when it was made. There are no markings on it at all (some pieces don't even have "seams" I was wondering if you could give me some ideas on when it was made and possible where. I usually find pieces at garage sales, flea markets and antique shows. I've tried looking on the Internet but none of the sights mention when it was made. The glass is a deep red color. I've heard the terms ruby and cranberry applied to it but I'm not sure if those are right. Thank you.
Vickie
Vickie, thanks for your inquiry.
While I am not a collector of glass, I know that the deep red glass you own is probably "ruby red", not cranberry, as cranberry is usually a lighter, almost pink shade. It would not be uncommon for there to be no markings as most 20th century glassware for household use came with a paper label or sticker which could be washed off before use. Some hand-blown, and some commercially made glassware might have a raised mark (Anchor Hocking used such a raised mark on its better glassware). Royal Ruby was a tradename that the Hocking Glass Company used for its red glass that it started making in 1938.
Bohemian glassware is highly collectible for the very ornamental quality of its ruby-stained clear crystal, often decorated in gold and etched or engraved in marvelous patterns. This glassware was manufactured between 1875 and 1915. Contemporary "bohemian" glass is now made in Czechoslovakia, Germany and Poland.
You don't say what kind of pieces you have, whether tumblers, goblets, plates or vases, etc. However, here are some excellent websites where you can find more detailed information on the making of ruby glass, and I highly recommend that you search your local library for books on 20th century ruby glassware.
Shop 4 Antiques
The Glass Encyclopedia
The Online Glass Museum
It's Clear, by Jill Davis.
And here's a book about Ruby Glass: Glass Books.com Ltd., Ruby Glass of the 20th Century Book 2 by Naomi L. Over.
Good luck! Barbara Bell
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