Flower Holders - Part V
by Bill Smith
Issue 22 - February 1975
For a little change of pace this month we will use for this column an interesting article of advertising as published in one of the brochures of Cambridge Glass Company. This material comes from the early 1940's and is representative of the later era of Flower Holders.
Patent Number 101,234
A new idea for bouquet arrangement, allowing blooms to spread and droop in a natural graceful manner. Made entirely of glass, therefore eliminating the unsightliness of wire or metal in the bottom of the center bowl.
The self-arranging feature of this Flower Block is new and unique (and patented).
Note the three large holes in the block with pockets for the stems of bloom, also three round holes between, and round center hole. All that is necessary to arrange a lovely center piece is to insert the stems, which should all be of nearly uniform length into these holes where the stem will rest naturally into the grooves or pockets in this block. Two blooms in each of the round holes, probably three in the center. Fill in with proper background such an fern, baby breath or whatever you desire for your color scheme.
Arranging your own center piece is interesting and much more economical with one of these Cambridge Self-Arranging Flower Blocks.
Another use for the Cambridge Self-Arranging Flower Block is to line the three round holes for small size tapers, using 15 inch dripless tapers. These tapers come in a variety of colors and when lighted produce very pretty effect. The holes in this block are large enough to allow the tapers to slant outward a little from the center.
When stems are inserted into this flower block the blooms seem to fall into the right positions.
The Cambridge Self-Arranging Flower Blocks are made in Crystal and Moonlight Blue.
It would be rather difficult to improve on the text of the above description, so we will be content to add just two additional pieces of information.
The patent for this block was issued to W. C. McCartney September 15, 1936 and the block was usually shown in the Catalogs for use with the No. 235 Caprice Rose Bowl.