By the last quarter of the nineteenth century, most American cities were completing the conversion from gas and oil lighting to lighting powered by electricity. Rather than have a fairly large central oil lamp around which the family gathered, smaller electrical lights could now be placed throughout the house.

Joseph Locke was one of Americas most creative glass designers. He patented many of todays most highly prized Victorian art glass including Amberina, Wild Rose (peachblow), Pomona, and Agata and a unique blown molded ware named Maize--whose surface resembles an ear of corn.

A line of new glass from Italy with figural swan bases resembles 19th century American swan pieces.

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Until recently, the vast majority of new mass produced cut glass has carried geometric patterns. The new bowl shown here is an example of increasing use of realistic patterns.

Was this glass fish covered dish ever made before 1940 or are they all reproductions with no old counterpart ever made?

Low priced reproduction Jadite, pale green opaque glass, was mass produced in China and sold through Cracker Barrel restaurants. New American-made Jadite has been in the market for years.

A faked glass paperweight represented as a souvenir of the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition, commonly known as the St. Louis Worlds Fair, has appeared in the market. The example ACRN examined was deep amber glass, about 3 in diameter. A raised image of North and South America is molded on a slightly domed top along with raised molded lettering, St. Louis Worlds Fair, 1904 (see illustration below).

Several lines of new art glass from overseas were introduced in mid-2001 that could be confused with highly sought vintage American-made art glass such as Steuben, Libbey, Nash, Cambridge and other well known makers.

Shortly after the September, 2001 issue of ACRN which featured new and old art glass shades went to press, we ran across a set of four glass shades with forged acid-stamped Handel markings. Although the shades were indeed old, estimated ca. 1900-1920s, the acid marks were applied within the last 5-10 years.