Pattern Profiles

Completed Pattern Profiles

• Ashburton eggcups
• Bar Lip Decanters
• Beaded Loop (Oregon)
• Dalzell's Wheelbarrow
• Diamond Spearpoint
• Double Pinwheel
• Early Moon and Star
• Grape Bunch
• Grape with Thumbprint
• Hamilton
• Holly Amber
• Jacob's Ladder
• McKee, surprise patterns
• McKee Plain patterns
• Manhattan
• Pavonia
• Primrose Variations
• Rexford
• Singing Birds
• Three Panel
• Tidy
• Viking
• York Herringbone/Scalloped Swirl

Pattern Profile Guidelines

To ensure some degree of consistency in format and quality, the Profile Committee has adopted the following guidelines and standards for authors of pattern profiles.

It is assumed that authors will write these profiles based upon personal expertise they have developed through collecting a specific pattern, or group of patterns, complemented by research conducted through already published materials, or by original research involving such sources as trade publications, advertisements, newspaper articles, or factory records. Throughout each profile, authors should clearly state what material is presented based upon the personal collecting experience, and what is presented based upon the published literature. Authors should follow the outline as closely as possible, entering information below each section heading.

It is highly unlikely that any one profile will be the definitive word on a pattern. Publication of a pattern profile will undoubtedly prompt additional contributions, corrections, or ideas from other readers, which may then be published as addenda in subsequent issues of the News Journal.

While the committee has made every effort to develop these guidelines to meet most circumstances, questions may occasionally arise about pieces that seem to defy ordinary cataloging. The Profile Committee will be glad to help in such cases. Moreover, as time goes on and as such problems come to light, some adjustments in the guidelines may become necessary.

I Pattern Name

Include (1) the original manufacturer's name, if known; (2) the names(s) by which the pattern is commonly known; and (3) the source of the commonly used name(s), if this can be determined.

II Manufacturer

Wherever possible, identify the manufacturer(s) of the pattern, who made the attribution, and on what basis? If making a new attribution, document it by including such evidence as the existence of a trade catalog in which the pattern appears, advertisements, the presence of shards at the factory sites, etc.

Ill Date(s) of Production

Include the date or range of dates for the manufacture of the pattern, again citing sources for the information if it is from already published material, or the basis for the dating if it is being proposed by the author. If relevant, the author might also mention conflicting opinions on the dating.

IV Nature of the Glass and Range of Colors

Identify the nature of the glass, its decoration, and the range of colors or stains in which the pattern may be found. This might include such categorizations as flint, non-flint, opalescent, etched, and the various colors or stains employed. It is particularly important here to differentiate between the collecting experience and what has been written in published sources. For example, if the author of a profile has in his or her collection an item in a previously undocumented color, this should be noted. Conversely, if a published source lists the pattern's availability in a color that the author has never encountered, this, too, should be mentioned.

V List of Known Pieces

This section should be a detailed list of the items in which the pattern may be found, based principally upon the author's personal collecting experience. Thus, only items which the author can personally document through photographs, should it become necessary, should be included. Each entry must include the name of the form (goblet, covered sugar bowl...), distinguishing characteristics (color, staining...), measurements (to the nearest 1/8"; see measurement guidelines below), type of handle (applied or pressed), and other significant features.

Immediately following the list, the author should mention forms listed in published sources, or even in trade catalogues that they have not personally encountered and cannot at the moment document. Those published sources should again be cited. Authors should also note which items in their list are previously unlisted in the literature.

VI Reproductions

If the pattern has been reproduced, has the manufacturer of the reproduction been identified, and by whom? If not, what is the source for the belief that reproductions do indeed exist? What are the differences between original items and the reproductions? If a reproduction has been rumored, but not documented, has the author encountered suspect pieces, and on what basis are they questionable?

VII References

A list of bibliographic or archival sources the author has used in preparing the profile must be included, and citations should be as complete as possible. Minimally, this should include author, title, publisher, place and date of publication, edition, page numbers, illustration numbers, and volume numbers (for journals).

VIII Photographs

In each profile include at least one photograph of a representative piece or a group of items in the pattern. Also, photographs of previously undocumented or seemingly unique items should be submitted. In the case of reproductions, comparative photographs of original and reproduced items would be helpful. All photographs should be clearly focused 35 mm. Black and white prints to facilitate use in publication. In addition, the committee requests that a color photograph be submitted of any item in an undocumented color, or where color decoration is important. These photographs will be kept in the EAPGS Pattern Profile files.

IX Author's Commentary and Personal Profile

In this section, authors may state their personal theories or opinions about their pattern, i.e. things they "feel" may be true, but presently cannot be proven. They might also include "hearsay" information, such as unlisted items in their pattern that they have been told exist, but have not experienced directly and/or for which there is no photographic evidence.

At the conclusion of the entry, authors should submit a brief statement about their collecting experience, particularly the length of time they have been pursuing their particular pattern. How did the collection begin? What is the author's profession? Please limit this to 250 words.

Pattern Profiles-Guidelines For Measuring Glass Items

1. Make measurements to the nearest 1/4"

2. Use the following abbreviations in recording measurements: h=height, l=length, w=width, d=diameter, sq-square (as in a 9" sq plate)

3. Typically, each item will have one, two, or three measurements- height, length, width, or diameter. For height, measure from base to rim, exclusive of projections such as spouts or scallops. Measure diameter from outside rim to outside rim. The following examples should clarify the meaning of this in most cases.

For goblets, wines, and other stemware, tumblers, open compotes, cake stands, spooners, celeries, pitchers, creamers, egg cups, and toothpicks, measure in height and diameter (e.g. 6 1/2"h, 3 1/4"d).

For covered items, measure in height without cover, height with cover, and diameter (6 3/4"h, 6 3/4"d without cover; 9 1/2"h, with lid). For two-part items such as punch bowls with separate bases, measure each item individually.

For plates, platters, and trays, measure following manner-

• round items-diameter, followed by the word "round" (9" round)
• oval items- length and width, followed by the word "oval" (12"l, 7" oval)
• square items- width, followed by "sq" (9" sq)
• rectangular items- length and width, followed by the word "rectangular" (9 1/2" l, 61/4", rectangular)

For banana stands and pedestaled rectangular compotes, and similar forms, measure in height, length, and width (6 3/4" h, 11"l, 8 1/4" w)

4. If an item such as a cake stand is tilted on its base, record the height as the average of the highest and lowest points at the rim.

5. Record and explain additional measurements where necessary to describe variations within a pattern or to differentiate between originals and reproductions, e.g. the width of the clear band above the design on a goblet, or the height of the stem on a goblet which has been reproduced.*

Compiled by Mel Lader, Pattern Profiles Chair, Early American Pattern Glass Society (1997-2005)