Research Reveals More CAMEO Patterns

from National Depression Glass Journal
Rainbow Review Glass Journal - January 1974

Slowly but surely the bits and pieces of information concerning our beloved Depression Glass are falling into their proper place like pieces of a gigantic jigsaw puzzle.

Depression collectors, especially the Cameo collectors. will no doubt be so amazed to learn that research has uncovered authentic information on a second manufacturer of the Cameo pattern.

Collectors and authors have been puzzled for some time by the variation of design on numerous pieces of Cameo. Two styles of cups, saucers with and without indents and two different high stemmed sherbets have been observed. Several lids have turned up which did not seem to actually fit the Hocking pieces. Cups and saucers are not shown in the recently discovered pieces but we feel sure one style belonged to this set. All this variation moves slowly into focus to reveal a more concise picture as we uncover the information that the Cameo pattern was definitely made on two different sets of molds by copies of old catalogues of the Monongah Glass Co. of Fairmount, WV. listing the newly discovered pieces merely carry the word "Springtime." It seems this would be a very appropriate pattern name as the "Girl in the Swing" flies through the springtime breeze. Or perhaps it designates the color, Many Depression patterns were listed as "Springtime Green." If so, no other colors are listed on the copy.

Pieces are listed as having a 24 carat roman gold decoration. There is a probability that platinum was also used. The Optic blanks are mentioned, as is the number of the pattern. Two Hundred Seventy.

Records indicate that the first Certificate of Incorporation was issued the Monongah Glass Company of Fairmount, WV, on December 29, 1903. The company ceased operations, as such, on June 16, 1932, when it was purchased by the Turner Glass Co. of Terre Haute, Indiana. Turner Glass Company was dissolved in a merger with the General Glass Co. also or Terre Haute, IN.

In the year 1937, Hocking Glass Corp., having previously acquired extensive holdings in the General Glass Company, completed a giant merger which involved several of the smaller manufacturers of glassware. The Anchor Cap & Closure Co. was involved in this transaction. Hocking Glass Corp. became the Anchor Hocking Glass Corp. The word "Glass" has since been deleted from the title.

It is to Anchor Hocking Corporation, the world's largest manufacturer of table glassware, that we are indebted for much of the above information.

Items shown in Catalogue pages:

  • Water Jug - 60 oz.
  • Water Jug - 50 oz.
  • Iced Tea-lid - 60 oz.
  • Grape Juice lid - 30 oz.
  • Decanter, cut stopper - 26 oz.
  • Handled Ice Tea - 13 oz.
  • Ice Tea - 13 oz.
  • Ice Tea - 10 oz.
  • Water - 9 oz.
  • Water - 8oz.
  • Ginger Ale - 7 oz.
  • Grape Juice - 5 oz.
  • Whiskey - 2½ oz.
  • Sugar
  • Creamer
  • Confection Stand 6"
  • Footed Almond - 9 oz.
  • Individual Almond - 1½ oz.
  • Finger Bowl
  • Plate 6½" plain
  • Plate 8½" plain
  • Parfait 6½ oz.
  • Goblet - 9 oz.
  • High Footed Sherbet - 5½ oz.
  • Claret - 4 oz.
  • Wine - 2½ oz.
  • Cocktail - 2½ oz.
  • Brandy - ¾ oz.

Monongah Catalog page