There was a time, not so long ago, when the category of collectible glass known as “Bar Ware” conjured up images of beer mugs and shot glasses displayed against a mirrored wall in a basement Man Cave. But no longer.
Bar ware has become one of the fastest selling forms of usable-collectible. From the intimate dinner party to the backyard BBQ, today’s hostess is opting to welcome her guests with a cold drink in a beautiful glass that says, “no Dixie cups here, only the best for our friends!”
Why the sudden interest in this glassware that has been stored away for six decades? There are several reasons.
On the practical side, using glassware, rather than plastic, significantly reduces overload to our landfills and should the time comes to discard your bar ware, recycled glass uses 40 percent less energy to reclaim than the manufacturing of new glass. There is also the benefit of considerably reducing your grocery bill by eliminating the purchase of plastic and paper cups.
But perhaps the strongest argument for the popularity of “June Cleaver Era” glassware is the fact that the MCM (mid-century-modern) design that first hit the decorating realm has trickled over into how we entertain.
The true spirit of retro glamor/kitsch is exemplified in George Braird bar ware and serving pieces. George Braird (the pseudonym used by designer Jascha Brojdo) produced ice buckets, chip and dip sets and glass sets highly sought by collectors. His award-winning gold plated designs from 1950-1970 were originally sold at finer department stores including Bonwit Teller and Neiman Marcus. Watch for pieces from his signature collections as they will be worth considerably more than his unsigned works.
Los Angles artist Dorthy Thorpe produced some of the finest bar ware “art” of the 20th Century. Unlike the major companies who were rolling out thousands of pieces a day, Dorthy purchased high quality hand made glass from companies like Heisey and Cambridge and hand decorated each piece. The bulk of her work is from the 1950s and most pieces will be marked. Collectors watch for her silver overlay glasses with a large “T” in the center and a stylized D on one side. These marks can be elusive to the novice as they were often incorporated into the design on the glass.
Cylindrical tumblers are the heart of any collection and the works of the Culver Glassware Company are at the top of the must-have list. Founded in Brooklyn in 1939 by Irving Rothenberg, their bold colors, lavish designs and 22K trim made them a top seller in their day as well as now. They are more difficult to find than many of the other brands of retro bar ware, but do appear from time to time online through eBay and Etsy offerings.
Hazel Atlas produced full bar sets in the early 50s that consisted of 24 glasses of varying size and a matching martini shaker. While you can purchase full sets online in the $600 range, assembling a set a piece at a time is a true adventure for the avid collector. In 1956, Continental Can bought out Hazel Atlas. As a result, bar ware made from 1956-1963 may be marked Hazelware.
Reproduction pieces abound and while they appeal to some because they are dishwasher safe, they are of no interest to the serious collector. Until next time…Linda
Linda Kennett is a professional liquidation consultant specializing in down-sizing for seniors and the liquidation of estates and may be reached at 317-258-7835 or lkennett@indy.rr.com
