MANHATTAN - U.S. Glass No. 15078

By Doris and Dean Bogart

Pattern Name
The distinguishing characteristics of the Manhattan pattern are a horizontal row of bulls-eyes surrounded by beads, a series of vertical ribs resembling icicles, and bands of hexagonal blocks. The order in which these three fundamental elements are located depends on the piece. It should be noted that there is a Manhattan Depression Glass that in no way resembles Manhattan Pattern Glass.

Manufacturer
The United States Glass Company in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania began manufacturing the Manhattan pattern around 1902 in factories "G" and "P". The pattern line was given the number 15078.

Dates of Production
Evidently the Manhattan pattern was in production from 1902 through 1919. There was an article about the pattern in the "Crockery and Glass Journal", February 20, 1902. It was featured in the United States Glass Company 1904 domestic catalogue and in export catalogues around 1919. In addition, the Butler Brothers catalog advertised it in 1912.

Nature of Glass and Range of Color
The glass is non-flint. During the original production period, clear and clear with rose stain were the common colors. Gilt was commonly found in the bulls-eyes and on the edges. We have examples in our collection decorated with rose, yellow, and green. Colors other than rose are reported to be rare. The Oriental Class Company, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was responsible for this part of the production.

List of Personal Collection and Other Pieces.
Below is a list of all items currently in our collection. We have multiples of many pieces. All items are clear unless specified as rose stain or milk glass. Some items have gilt on the rim or in the bulls-eyes, but will not be indicated, as the list would become too lengthy. Pieces marked with an asterisk indicate pieces we believe were reproduced or manufactured later than the original production dates. We have a total of 324 pieces in our collection at this time.

Basket, applied handle, 9.5"h x 8.5"w x 11.25"l
Bowl, berry master, simple scalloped, 3"h x 8.5"d
Bowl, berry, simple scallop, 1.75"h X 4.5d
Bowl, vegetable, no scallop, 3.25"h X 8.5"d
Bowl, serving, scalloped, 3.25"h X Il"d
BowI, serving, scalloped, 2.75"h X 8.25"d
Bowl, footed master fruit, scalloped, 8.5"h x 9.25"d
Bowl, master fruit, scalloped, 3"h x 9.5"d
Bowl, individual fruit, scalloped, 1.5"h x 4.75"d
Bowl, round, scalloped, cupped inward 2"h x 4"d
Bowl, violet, wavy rim (sweet pea vase?), 6"h x 8"d
Butter dish, round, covered, 4.75"h X 8.5"d
Cake stand, high standard, 6-7/8" h x 9.5"d
Carafe, water, 8.25h X 6"d at base
Celery vase, 6"h x 4.5"d
Cracker jar, covered (biscuit or cookie jar?), 9"h x 6"d
Cracker jar, covered, rose stain, 9"h x 6"d
Creamer, individual, 3.25"h x 2.25"w x 4.5"l
Creamer, medium, 3.25"h x 3.5"w x 5"l
Cruet, original stopper, tapered, 8"h x 1.75"d at base
Dish, covered candy, 3.5"h X 4.5"d
Dish, covered candy, milk glass, 3.5"h x 4.5"d
Dish, covered candy, rose stain, 3.5"h x 4.5"d
Dish, oval sauce, scalloped, 1-7/8"h x 3.5"w x 5"l
Dish, straight sided, scalloped, I.75"h x 4.5"d
Dish, with finger hold, no scallop, 2"h x 4.75"d
Dish, round, flared, scalloped, 1.5"h x 5.75"d
Dish, round, very flared, scalloped, 1.5"h x 5"d
Dish, round w/finger hold, scalloped, 2"h x 5.25"w x 6.5"l
Dish, triangular w/finger hold, scalloped, 2.25"h X 6"W x 7"l
Dish, round, flared, scalloped, 1.5""h x 5"d
Dish, round, slightly flared, scalloped, 1.5"h x 4.5"d
Dish, oval, scalloped, 1.5"h x 5"d
Dish, oval with advertising, scalloped, 1.5"h X 5"d
Dish, elongated, with raised tips, Scalloped, yellow bull's eyes, 1.75"h X 4.75x X 9.5"l
*Goblet, footed, 5.75"h X 3.25"d
Pickle castor, silver plate frame w/tongs, and 9.25" h x 4" d
Pitcher, applied handle, bulbous, 1/2 gallon, 8-7/8"h x 6.5"d
*Plate, dinner, simple scallop, 10.75"d
*Plate, dessert, simple scallop, 5.75"d
Plate, bread, heavily scalloped,5"d
Plate, breakfast, heavily scalloped, 8"d
Plate, deep center, flared, scalloped, 2"h x 9.5"d
Plate, deep center, slightly flared, scalloped, 1.25"h x 9.5"d
*Punch bowl, cupped inward, 8"h x 14"d
*Punch bowl underplate, round, 23"d
*Punch cups, straight sided, 2.5"h X 2-7/8"d
Punch cups, flared, 2.25"h X 4"d
Salt and pepper shakers, table size, tapered, slender neck 3.75"h X 1.75"d (at base)
*Sherbet, footed, 4.75"h X 3.5"d
Straw jar, covered, 11.75"h X 4"d
Sugar bowl, covered, table size, 6.5"h X 4.5"d
*Sugar bowl, open, medium, and 3" h x 3.25" w x 5.5" l
Toothpick holder, 2.5"h x 2.25"d
Tray, round, slightly flared sides, 8.5"d
Tumbler, from child's set, 2"h x 1.5"d
*Tumbler, footed iced tea, 6"h x 3.25"d
Tumbler, water, flat, 4"h x 2.75"d
Tumbler, tea, flat rim, 4-7/8"h x 3-3/8"d
Vase, flared, scalloped rim, twisted stem, 8"h x 3.75"d
Vase, cupped inward, scalloped rim, thick stem, green bull's eyes, 6.25"h X 2.5" d
*Wine glass, footed, 4.75"h X 3"

Reproductions
In the early 1950s Manhattan was reproduced by Anchor Hocking and Tiffin Glass companies. Reproduced items do not exhibit the detail of the original molds. The beadwork is not as crisp, and the hexagonal blocks have rounded edges. The scallop effect on the rim of newer pieces are of a simple design, or the rim is simply flat. Also, the pattern has been reproduced in amber and green.

Commentary and Personal Profile
After losing a collection of over 1200 pieces of Blue Willow china in a house fire twelve years ago, we were looking for something different to collect au a hobby. In the process of building a new house to be furnished in antiques, Doris spotted a Manhattan Punch bowl and cups in an antique shop. They were part of a collection of 132 items of Manhattan that had to be sold together (We did get a good deal on a curved glass china cabinet to display the original pieces). That was the beginning of our collection that now fills five cabinets.
One thing we find to be confusing is the interchanging of names of various pieces. What is the difference between a cracker jar and a biscuit jar? The terms "nappy", "Gainsborough", "jelly dish", sauce dish", "rose bowl", etc. are frequently used. As we find different lists in different sources, surely some of these names relate to the same item.

We are very fortunate to have such a varied collection. There is a miniature pitcher out there that will complete our child's water set as we have eight child's tumblers. A dealer once told us of a flared punch bowl on a pedestal base he spotted in Hawaii many years ago. We have a few of the flared cups that would have gone with this set. Other items we would like to add to our collection that have been included in various lists, but we have not;seen, are lamp shades for both gas and electric lamps (bell and cupped shapes), glass punch ladle, tankards (two sizes), spooner, covered cheese dish, ice bucket, large salt shaker, large creamer, and syrup pitcher, to name only a few.
As both of us are employed by the Springfield (Missouri) Public School system, we have summers off to take small trips into new areas searching for additional pieces for our collection. Some trips are surprisingly successful, while most turn up nothing. The Internet has been a source for a few items.

References
Kyle Husfloen, Collector's Guide to American Pressed Glass: 1825-1915. Radnor, Pennsylvania: Wallace-Homestead Book Company, p. 147.

Bill Jenks and Jerry Luna. Early American Pattern Class: 1850-1910. Radnor, Pennsylvania: Wallace-Homestead Book Company, 1990, pp. 348-350.

Ellen Tischbein Schroy. Warman's Pattern Class. Radnor, Pennsylvania, 1993, pp. 94-95.

Group of gold flashed Manhattan

Group of Manhattan with green bull's eyes