Color, Color, Color!
For many years I have tried my best to
buy pieces of carnival glass with the highest color, no matter if
they were rare or scarce pieces, or something a bit more available.
I’ve upgraded whenever I could afford to. The "color" in the title
of this article, and this showcase of some of the glass that will be
sold at the HOACGA convention in April, is of course iridescence
color. While base-glass color is certainly important in determining
scarcity and therefore value, it’s iridescence that gives a piece of
carnival glass it’s ‘bang.’ Those of you who have attended any of
the talks I’ve given will recognize that as my mantra. The San Diego
County club got it ‘spot on’ in my mind when they took "Iridescence
is the Essence" as their club motto.
So in
the theme of this first of six ‘articles’ about the glass that Jan
and I will be sharing with you next April, is iridescence color --
or just plain color! I’d like to think each and every piece
being sold has great color, but some have ‘better than great’ color
to me -- and hopefully to you as well. In this article, I will share
some of my personal favorites and where possible, some additional
details about the pieces. You may click on any of the pictures
below to see a larger version in a new window.
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Let’s start out with what to my mind is the most
beautiful example of the carnival glass maker’s art I have ever seen
-- a truly spectacular amethyst Heavy Iris tankard water pitcher. As
with several of my favorite pieces in the collection being sold,
this came from Burney Talley of New Mexico. I was most fortunate to
have been able to buy the collection of my long-time friend "Father
Gabriel," Burney to me, when he decided to retire. Burney and his
late sister, Norene Duran, collected for many years and owned some
truly spectacular pieces. This is one of their best. It has color
top to bottom and all around the entire circumference. The rainbow
of brilliant colors rivals anything I’ve seen from the gifted hands
of Tiffany’s craftsmen. In articles I’ve previously written or talks
I’ve given, when I use the term "Tiffany Iridescence," this is the
prototype. |
| Another ‘popper’ also came from Burney, and prior
to that from sis, Norene -- an amethyst Garden Path Variant chop
plate, loaded all over with rich electric blue iridescence, made
even more lovely by shadings of ‘Tiffany-Aurene yellow-gold.’
Another Dugan treasure with "Tiffany Iridescence." Thanks sis! |
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Switching gears a bit, another favorite of mine is
a truly gorgeous pastel-marigold Northwood Grape Leaves bowl. In
another article, I will share my passion of yellow iridescence with
you, but this bowl always jumped out at me as having simply
incredible color, despite the fact that it’s not a particularly
scarce pattern. |
Another Northwood stunner is an electric blue
Embroidered Mums that I bought from Omer Sweeney back in 1980. This
gorgeous bowl is like one of my own kids, and when I had an auction
back in 1992, I just couldn’t part with it. The over-all electric
blue ‘coloration’ (a Bill Carroll word) is as good as any I’ve seen.
While I’m here with E. Mums, let me share a wonderful ice blue
example that has so much frostiness to it, the ruffle ‘crimps’
appear to be opalescent. Another ‘kid’ of mine from Steve Morrow,
circa 1975. I hope the new caretaker(s) cherish these two paternal
twins as much as I have.
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How ‘bout a few examples of Imperial’s finest? The
purple Poppy Show vase that will be sold is as good as any I’ve
seen. It’s impossible to get a good photograph showing all the color
on this beauty because it’s 360 degrees around! Top to bottom it has
electric blues, electric greens (yes!) and electric purples. Dare I
say, "It’s electric!"? |
| Another Imperial stunner, to my way of thinking,
is this Heavy Grape chop plate. "Taffeta" comes to mind when trying
to describe it’s color. On purple base glass it is loaded with heavy
pinks, greens, yellows and purples. It is absolutely gorgeous. I was
told by the seller that this ‘chopper’ came from the storybook
collection of Don Moore. Again, not the most expensive piece in the
world, but certainly one of the most spectacular. I’m so old that
when I started collecting, this pattern was known as "Fenton’s Heavy
Grape." Oops! |
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A final example of Imperial’s finest will be a
Pansy bowl. Yes, a Pansy bowl! Raise your hand if you own one. Wow!
I see lots of hands! And I know lots of yours are gorgeous, but if
you’re looking for a fantastic piece of CG, without having to use
the Lexus as collateral on a loan, give this a gander. Again, the
result of multiple upgrades. |
| We will be selling a pair of "electric" Orange
Tree hatpin holders -- one electric blue and the other electric,
dare I say, "emerald?", green. They are just two of the seven hatpin
holders that will be sold in the auction. Another emerald green
hatpin holder (G&C) will be sold, but I’ll leave that for a future
"Emerald Green" dissertation. |
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I purchased a fantastic pumpkin Acorn Burrs water
set at last year’s "fan appreciation" auction held by the Wroda
Auction Company in Ohio. Why, is obvious. When you get a chance to
buy a 7 piece set where all seven pieces are perfectly matched and
gorgeous, you take it! |
| I’ve always liked Corn Vases. The purple example
selling is the best I’ve seen in my 37 years of collecting. Like
others that I’ve let ‘get away,’ I’m sure I’ll miss having and
holding this beauty. If you like Corn Vases, this one should be your
collection. There are none better. |
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I’m including is this article on color an
outstanding example of marigold-on-Moonstone, a ruffled Holly bowl.
This is the darkest marigold example of this rare color it’s been my
opportunity to ever see, let alone buy. John Britt told me about it,
at the 1985 HOACGA. He didn’t have it at the convention in April, but
by July it was mine. I could not believe my eyes when I opened the
box! It is so dark, you would have to describe it as having red
iridescence. |
| I have quite a few ‘Big Dugan’ pieces (yet another
article.) The six-ruffled Ski Star is one of my very favorites.
Sorry about the ugly plate-holder bar in the photo, but the picture
shows the true iridescence of this bowl. Another Tiffany copy-cat! |
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A favorite color of mine is pastel
marigold
(another article!) We are selling both Peacocks bowls and plates in
pumpkin marigold and pastel marigold. The Peacocks bowl I’ve
selected for this article has my favorite shading of pastel
marigold, loaded with lots of rich yellow hues. I hope the new
caretaker of this fantastic piece of carnival glass loves it as much
as I have.
I can’t leave this article without sharing with
you the electric blue Peacocks ruffled bowl I’ve owned since 1993.
Again, it has that Tiffany combination of jump-out-at-you electric blue
and yellow-gold. Another one of my favorites. Take good care of it,
please.
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John's Collection |
