19th Century Glassworks: U.S. Obsolete Notes – Part 2
19th-century images from a glass factory. The work was difficult, with hot, dangerous conditions. Welcome to the second part of manufacturing notes on 19th-century glassworks! At its height, there were…
19th-century images from a glass factory. The work was difficult, with hot, dangerous conditions.
Welcome to the second part of manufacturing notes on 19th-century glassworks! At its height, there were over 500 glass manufacturers in the United States in the 19th century. Before 1850, most glass was made by hand, but after the dawn of the Industrial Revolution, mechanized processes were created, including semi-automatic presses and improved furnaces, to increase production and consistency. The mass manufacturing of plate glass was perfected, which was ideal for making windows. The use of metal oxides (cobalt for blue, manganese for purple) created colored glass and was a boon to the decorative glass market.
One of the negative aspects of the glass factories was the use of child labor. It is a stark reminder of the harsh conditions faced by kids before child labor laws were enacted. A number of women were also employed in these glassworks, though often paid very little, they were excluded from any high-paying, skilled position like glass cutting.
The following is a showcase of glassworks notes, issued by private glass manufacturers. Most of these notes were used to purchase finished glass goods from company stores. Thanks to Tim Morrissey of New York University for his history on child labor, and Heritage Auctions for the photographs.
Image of the Cleveland Glass Works located in Cleveland, NY. They manufactured window glass using high-quality local sand. Oswego County in New York boasted several glass factories.
A 5¢, 50¢, and $1 remainder notes from the Cleveland Glassworks in Oswego County, New York State. We’ve enlarged the central image showing glassworkers plying their trade.
Three denominations: 1¢, 5¢, and $1 Batsto Glass Works merchant scrip. Signed and dated October 1, 1868. The glass factory consisted of seven buildings and produced window glass and glass for streetlamps. Production stopped in 1867 and never resumed.
Above: Fislerville Glass Works/John M. Moore & Co. 1¢ note dated July 1, 1862. The company was established circa 1849 and remained in business until just prior to World War I. It was also known as John M. Moore & Co. and Clayton Glass Works. Below right: Among the many items the company manufactured was the famous Jenny Lind flask. Lind was a world-renowned soprano opera singer from Sweden in the 19th century. Her image and name were used on a wide assortment of glass flasks by various glass manufacturers. Below left: A cobalt blue bottle with the name of Fislerville Glass in raised letters.
Six months later, the Fislerville Glass Works redesigned its notes. Above is a fractional remainder denomination set (5¢, 10¢, 25¢, 50¢) with different vignettes. The Moore family closed the business in 1912.
Bridgeton was primarily known for producing free-blown molded glass, with aquamarine glass flasks being a notable example of their work. Above is a green flask made by Bridgeton Glass Works (1836–1850). With close observation, one can see the raised lettering of the town. Image: www.metmuseum.org/art/collection
While the word “glass” is not on the notes, the ones above are attributed to the Bridgeton Glass Works, which had many owners between 1836 and 1870. The note on the upper left is from August 1, 1858; on the upper right, the note is dated November 1869.
The Durhamville Glass Works was a window glass factory that operated in Durhamville, New York, from 1845 to 1904, at one point being the largest in the county. The hamlet itself grew due to the opening of the Erie Canal in 1825, and the glass factory was a significant center of industry in the area before its closure in the early 1900s. Above is a quartet of 1830s notes (12½¢, 25¢, 50¢, and $1). All with well-executed vignettes.
A denomination set of New Brooklin, New Jersey, also known as Isabella Glass Works, with various vignettes. The factory, built by Thomas W. Stanger and Squire Marshall, began production in 1832. The factory was originally named after Stanger’s daughter, Isabella, before changing to New Brooklin. This was company store scrip, which was issued for workers as well as those who lived in the village. Today, the site of Isabella Glass Works would have been located at the intersection of the Atlantic City Expressway and New Brooklyn Road in Monroe Township. Below is an example of an Isabella green glass bottle.
Shown above is a $1 and $5 Depression scrip note, dated November 14, 1931, from The New Martinsville Glass Manufacturing Company in West Virginia. They were a maker of decorative glass products. It opened in 1901 and was renowned for the use of color in its glassware. They initially made tableware but quickly expanded into vanities, barware, lamps, and other items. They eventually closed in 1984.
The Salem Glass Works had a long history of glassmaking in the United States, beginning in 1862, until it sold to Anchor Cap and Closure Co. in 1934. It was started by Henry D. Hall, Joseph D. Pancoast, and John V. Craven; their large plant was based in Salem, New Jersey. They produced fruit jars and bottles, but rarely labeled their products with their name. Below is a well-preserved Salem Mason jar with its name shown in raised letters.
Shown is a pair of uncut remainder sheets from the Salem Glass Works. The top sheet has an image of factory glass workers on the $1, $2, and $3 notes. The bottom sheet was beautifully designed, with striking green numerical overprints. This scrip was for use at the Salem Glass Works company store.
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