Fostoria: American Elegant Glassware
Fostoria Glass Company, founded in 1887 in Fostoria, Ohio (relocating to Moundsville, West Virginia in 1891), was one of America's premier producers of elegant hand-pressed and blown glassware for over a century until its closure in 1986. Known for refined patterns, brilliant crystal clarity, and extensive tableware lines, Fostoria glass graced American dining tables from the Gay Nineties through the mid-20th century. The company's "American" pattern, introduced in 1915, became the longest-running production pattern in American glass history.
History and Development
- 1887: Founded in Fostoria, Ohio by Lucian Martin and W.S. Brady
- 1891: Relocates to Moundsville, West Virginia for access to natural gas
- 1901-1915: Transition from pressed glass to elegant table glass
- 1915: "American" pattern introduced; remains in production for 71 years
- 1920s-1930s: Golden age; introduction of "June," "Versailles," "Baroque," and other elegant etchings
- 1958: Lancaster Colony Corporation acquires Fostoria
- 1983: Production moves to Lancaster, Ohio
- 1986: Factory closes; molds acquired by Lancaster Colony and later by Indiana Glass and others
Major Patterns and Lines
- American: Cube-cut geometric pattern; the company's bestseller across all decades
- Coin Glass: Featuring frosted coin-like medallions; produced 1958-1982
- Baroque: Scrolled baroque-style line popular in the 1930s-1940s
- June, Versailles, Trojan: Elegant etched patterns from the 1920s-1930s on various blanks
- Colony: Ribbed pattern popular in the 1940s-1950s
- Meadow Rose, Chintz, Navarre: Later etched patterns with floral motifs
- Colored glass: Azure (blue), green, amber, topaz, ruby, wisteria, and other colors elevate standard patterns
Identification and Marks
- Most Fostoria glass is unmarked; identification relies on pattern recognition
- Some pieces carry a paper label reading "Fostoria" in script
- Etched patterns can be identified by consulting pattern identification guides
- The glass quality is consistently high: clear, brilliant, and free of visible imperfections
- Mold seams are typically well-finished on elegant glassware
- Fostoria's colored glass has distinctive hues that help identify the maker
Auction Price Ranges
| Item Type | Typical Range | Premium Examples |
|---|---|---|
| American pattern plate | $8 - $25 | Rare forms: $40 - $150 |
| American punch bowl set | $100 - $300 | With 12 cups and ladle: $400 - $800 |
| Etched stemware (per stem) | $10 - $30 | Rare patterns: $40 - $100 |
| Colored glass piece (azure, etc.) | $20 - $80 | Rare form/color: $100 - $400 |
| Coin Glass piece | $15 - $50 | Large or colored: $60 - $200 |
| Baroque serving piece | $20 - $60 | Colored: $80 - $200 |
| Complete etched table service | $300 - $1,000 | Rare pattern: $1,500 - $4,000 |
| Wisteria color piece | $40 - $200 | Rare form: $300 - $800 |
Condition Factors
- Fostoria glass should be free of chips, cracks, and significant scratches
- Etched patterns should be crisp and complete; worn etching from dishwasher damage reduces value
- Colored glass should be vivid and even; discoloration or cloudiness diminishes value
- The American pattern's cube cutting should be sharp and well-defined
- Missing stoppers, lids, and associated parts reduce value of serving pieces
- Sets and complete table services are far more valuable than individual pieces
Collecting Tips
- The American pattern is the most recognizable and widely available Fostoria line; its vast range of forms provides endless collecting opportunities
- Colored glass (especially wisteria, azure, and ruby) in any pattern commands significant premiums over clear
- Etched patterns from the 1920s-1930s (June, Versailles, Trojan) represent the elegant glassware era and are popular with table-setting collectors
- Do not confuse Fostoria production with pieces made from Fostoria molds after the 1986 closure
- Coin Glass is popular with collectors who enjoy the Americana theme
- Complete table services in matching patterns are increasingly difficult to assemble and highly valued by users and collectors alike