Holly Amber: Indiana Tumbler and Goblet Company's Golden Pressed Glass
Holly Amber is one of the rarest and most sought-after patterns in American pressed glass, produced exclusively by the Indiana Tumbler and Goblet Company of Greentown, Indiana, in 1903. Officially named "No. 450" by the factory, collectors know it as Holly Amber for its distinctive holly leaf and berry motif rendered in a unique opalescent amber coloring that shades from golden amber to milky opalescent white. Production lasted only a few months before the factory burned down on June 13, 1903, making every surviving piece a genuine rarity.
Identification
Holly Amber is unmistakable once seen. The pattern features a band of holly leaves and berries in raised relief. The glass itself transitions from a warm golden-amber tone on the raised portions to a creamy opalescent white in the recessed areas. The agate-like effect was achieved through a controlled heat-striking process. There are no factory marks, but the pattern, color, and mold characteristics are distinctive enough for positive identification.
Beware of reproductions: Summit Art Glass and others have produced pieces in similar colorings, but these lack the precise mold detail and characteristic color graduation of originals. Reproduction glass tends to be heavier with less refined mold work.
Forms Produced
The pattern was made in a full tableware line including covered compotes, cruets, butter dishes, creamers, sugar bowls, spooners, tumblers, mugs, toothpick holders, sauce dishes, plates, trays, and vases. Some forms are far rarer than others.
Auction Price Ranges
| Form | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Covered compote | $1,500 - $4,500 |
| Cruet with original stopper | $1,800 - $5,000 |
| Covered butter dish | $1,200 - $3,500 |
| Toothpick holder | $400 - $1,200 |
| Tumbler | $300 - $900 |
| Creamer or spooner | $500 - $1,500 |
| Sauce dish | $200 - $600 |
| Plate (rare) | $800 - $2,500 |
| Syrup jug with lid | $2,000 - $6,000+ |
Condition Factors
Because Holly Amber was press-molded glass, mold lines and minor roughness are expected and not considered flaws. Chips to the rim, base, or raised holly leaves significantly reduce value. The opalescent areas are particularly vulnerable to damage. Pieces with their original lids, stoppers, or handles intact are dramatically more valuable than those missing components. A cruet without its stopper, for example, may lose 50-60% of its value. Internal haze or sickness is uncommon but does occur and should be examined under strong light.
Collecting Tips
Due to its extreme rarity and short production run, Holly Amber commands strong prices even for common forms. Build a collection gradually, as pieces appear infrequently at major glass auctions and specialist shows. Study the known forms list published by the National Greentown Glass Association to understand what exists. Provenance from notable glass collections (such as the DeHority or Measell collections) adds confidence and value. Always examine pieces under magnification for hidden chips or repairs, as the amber-opalescent color can mask small damage. Complete table settings are virtually impossible to assemble, so most collectors focus on acquiring one example of each form.