UTILITY GLASS WORKS Footed Tumbler Narrow Optic UGWS-09 Pink-Orange/Teal 1920s Very Rare Flawless Condition

Item:  1 Footed Tumbler 6oz

Manufacturer:  Utility Glass Works

Place:  Lonaconing, Maryland 

Date:  1920-1929

Pattern:  Narrow Optic UGWS-09

Color:  Pink-Orange/Teal (not vaseline)

Dimensions:  4”h x 3”w 

Identification Reference:  Utility Glass Works Lonaconing Maryland 1920-1929 Monograph #134, by Wm. “Jay” George, p21

Condition:  Flawless. Never used. No scratches or signs of wear. Very high manufacturing standards. No flaws or character marks.  Extraordinary piece. Very rare.

ABOUT UTILITY GLASS WORKS

Utility Glass Works opened in 1920 in Lonaconing, Maryland on the site of the former Dugan Glass Company which had closed in 1918 due to a natural gas shortage under war time curtailment. The company secured a contract to make a new type of automobile lens. The factory was also making some pressed wear and blown tableware. In addition, they also did decorating by cutting and edging. In 1929 the factory closed for a while and was reopened by Dickson and Alexander Sloan as the Sloan Glass Company.

Tracing back and identifying items that were made by the Utility Glass Works during its brief history between 1920 and 1929 has been a focus of the work of Dale Murschell in his book Glass of Cumberland Maryland and Local Area and also William “Jay” George in Utility Glass Works Lonaconing Maryland 1920-1929 Monograph #134, published by The Museum of American Glass in West Virginia.

In the book he states, "Other than general items of production, there are no catalogs, pamphlets, or flyers indicating the products of the glass companies located in Lonaconing save for one recovered advertisement. The Utility Glass Works ran an advertisement for “Cambodia” ware. This was a type of ringed or ripple tableware made in several soft colors.  It came in everything from stemware to tumblers, vases, and bowls. In September 2001, the factory dump was visited with many nice shards found of this very Cambodia ware.

“Robert Doyle was the chemist and glass batch mixer at the glass factory. Several years before the final destructive fire, he had bought a large building near the glass factory, part of which he lived in. After the fire any glass that was recovered was stored in his basement.  The home now belongs to his daughter.  Much of the transferred glass still remains in the home and is pictured on the following pages. We are very fortunate to have the opportunity to see the beautiful glassware made in Lonaconing Maryland.”

We are lifelong glass collectors, now selling our beloved (and overwhelming) collection so these beautiful pieces we have loved owning and looking at can be enjoyed by others. If you love beautiful objects, we may have some pieces for you. We’re adding new listings every week.  

We will be offering pieces by Fostoria, Steuben, Heisey, H C Fry, Duncan, Lancaster, Utility Glass Works, Indiana, Jeannette, Tiffin, Fenton, Morgantown, Westmoreland, and many others.

Buy with confidence.  Fast insured shipping. Reliable seller.  

Please contact us with any questions that may arise.