Cambridge -- The First Years, Part III
by Mark A. Nye
Issue No. 206 - June 1990
Last month we concluded with a news item from Crockery and Glass Journal dated October 1908, that indicated business for the Cambridge Glass Co. was quite good. We resume our history this month with a news item and a Cambridge advertisement, both from the Glass and Pottery World issue of January 1909. Throughout this month's and future articles, the source of each item will be indicated by using the following code: CGJ = Crockery and Glass Journal; CGL = China Glass and Lamps. Other less frequently used journals will be fully identified.
01/--/09 "Cambridge Glass Co. Cambridge O. .......the Guernsey pattern of tableware in semi-colonial treatment is a most noticeable departure from other lines. It is decidedly good. A very heavy imitation cut pattern, No. 2660 is especially rich. The large punch bowls have a foot of a shape not heretofore employed and are sure to meet with favor. Some of the vases have the weight and brilliancy of cut glass." Glass and Pottery World.
01/--/09 The following is the text of a Cambridge advertisement that was placed in Glass and Pottery World in January 1909. "High Grade Tableware. GUERNSEY PATTERN. Semi-Colonial - - Distinctively Different. In Shape, Metal and Finish, it Leads the Procession for 1909."
01/09/09 "The Cambridge Glass Co. has brought nothing to the show except what it has to offer in the form of new productions. Mr. C. C. Rockhill was in charge when the display was first installed and was joined later in the week by A. J. Bennett. There are all sorts of things in the display for it is display from which the buyer is expected to select his needs in the glass line regardless of general competition. One of the principal features is the new Colonial line in pressed ware. The shapes are particularly attractive and present an excellent appearance. Near them is shown the medium weight imitation cut pattern, with its countless facets from which is reflected the light as though it had only come from the hand of the cutter. Then there is a line of light-weight imitation cutting, also presenting a pleasing appearance and of undoubted durability. One handsome cut punch bowl is the center of attraction because of its imposing appearance and the excellence of the work. These things combine with whiskey decanters, jugs and graceful vases to complete a display that is at once attractive and educational. A novelty which appears in this display, as in many others, is the salt shaker with the glass top, metal bound to make it durable, but so arranged as to prevent the salt from touching the metal. The company is not showing its tumblers and bar goods this year, as they are very well known to the trade." CGL
10/02/09 "The Cambridge Glass Co., Cambridge, O., will soon have a new general catalog. Send in your name and get one. It will be worth while." CGL
10/09/09 "The Cambridge Glass Co., Cambridge, O. They make the patented Bennett Lemon Extractor. Sells on sight. If you have not seen it get in line." CGL
10/30/09 "The new catalog to be ready for 1910 business has some new features that are peculiar to the Cambridge Glass Co." CGL
11/13/09 "Business at the Cambridge Glass Co.'s works was never as good as it is at the present time. Three furnaces and one day tank are in operation, while a new day tank, just completed, has fire in and will be melting glass sometime this week. The company recently purchased eight more presses, mostly small ones, for use in this factory. The company has tremendous order for toy sets." CGL
12/25/09 "No. 2760 design has no equal in pressed glass. Combination Rock Crystal design made on patented shape. All pieces footed and of exquisite form. Offered in straight crystal and etched. Suitable for the best trade. Cambridge Glass Co." CGL
12/25/09 "No. 2750 design is a new Colonial, perfectly plain, correct in every detail. Cambridge Glass Co." CGL
01/15/10 "Notable among the novelties exhibited at the Fort Pitt Hotel by the Cambridge Glass Co. is the famous lemon squeezer. It allows the juice to escape but retains the seeds. Housekeepers demand them. Buyers find no better sellers. The one hole shaker made by the Cambridge Glass Co. and shown in its exhibit . . . tells its own story. There is nothing better." CGL
02/03/10 "The Floral display in the suite at the Ft. Pitt occupied by the Cambridge Glass Co. was one of the delights of the exhibit. Here and there was a bouquet of flowers that added brightness to the display, and A. J. Bennett, who was in charge, was complimented highly upon his efforts in this direction." CGJ
04/25/10 "The Cambridge Glass Co. ... have been experiencing a considerable amount of trouble on account of a pronounced shortage of small help. Broken pots have also been a large factor of late in preventing the management from securing full production." CGL
05/09/10 "At the Byesville factory of the Cambridge Glass Co., very little work has been done as yet owing to the breaking of pots." CGL
12/05/10 "The Cambridge Glass Co. are operating their 12 pot furnace at Byesville, O. with eleven shops on the payroll. A fine grade of glass is being turned into a general line of pressed goods. Quite a number of repairs have been made recently at this plant. Electricity has been installed and material is on the ground for a new wind pipe which will in all probability be installed within a week or ten days. At the Company's big Cambridge plant President A. J. Bennett reports all the business they can take care of. Among the special trade winners of this company may be mentioned their semi-colonial line, a very fine plain effect with small mitres and rich fine cutting on very unique and practical shapes; the Rock Crystal Scotch Thistle design, claimed to be the most perfect rock crystal design yet produced, and three other very choice rich cut patterns in an extensive variety of items and shapes that appeal to buyers."
01/09/11 ".... Silver-etched novelties appear in profusion, adding luster to the display and making their presence felt as one of the chief points of attraction. There is another design in old roses and nasturtium, each very beautiful and well worthy of the praise they bring from every quarter. Among the novelties may be found the large orange and grapefruit juice extractor, modeled after the Bennett lemon juice extractor, but larger, and the famous Bennett one-hole salt cellar. Another element of attraction in the display is the Buzz-Saw cutting, modeled after the old cut glass, and one of the best things seen this year." CGL
06/01/11 "Willing Dealing .... just received a consignment of samples of press glass of a rich and pleasing pattern. The strawberry plant, with both blossoms and fruit, is used as the motive with remarkable ingenuity. A few seasonable pieces bearing this design in the form of an ice cream set would not fail to fulfill its mission." CGJ
06/26/11 "The Cambridge Glass Co. ... will install a complete producer system in their plant during the summer stop period." CGL
12/18/11 "Nearcut Fancy Portables and Oil Lamps. This lamp is now ready for the market and your orders can be promptly filled. We have also several other lamps completed and ready for the trade. Let us make you up a sample package at this time. The illustration is only one of the new ideas that we have on display at the January Show in Pittsburgh. Our line of Gas and Electric Portables as well as line of fancy Imitation Cut Glass Oil Lamps are being shown at Room 643 Fort Pitt Hotel. This same design Portable can be furnished with gas fittings. We have also Kerosene Oil Lamps with Center Draft Burner." CGL Note: This is the text of an advertisement that featured an illustration of the No. 2760 Electric Portable.
01/08/12 "When they tell you in the pleasant rooms where are located the display of the Cambridge Glass Co., of Cambridge, O., that 'everything's new' they do not adhere to the strict letter of the law, but they are so close to it that they may be pardoned for overstepping the bounds just a little. As a matter of fact the showing made by the company could not be excelled. It is among the very best displays of glass ever seen in Pittsburgh or any other city and is pleasing in the extreme. Particular attention has been given to artistic display, and the room is filled with reflected light and a thousand different articles from which it springs. The Cambridge company has fairly outdone itself in preparing for the excellent trade glass men anticipate this year, and there is no reason why its expectations should not be realized to the fullest extent. Foremost in the display is a handsome line of lamps. Here the touch of the artist is clearly seen in splendid and substantial uprights of glass, surmounted by a shade which reflects the light form within and without."
To be continued next month ...