How Much Is Fire Carnival Glass Worth?

Carnival Glass Manufacturers

• Fenton was the first to manufacture carnival glass, but was soon followed by Northwood, Imperial, Dugan, and Millersburg. Fenton is the only one of the group still in business, and other companies continue to make carnival glass in new designs as well as reproductions. While some of the reproductions and pieces made by new manufacturers are considered collectibles, the pieces by the original manufacturers tend to be more highly valued.

Color

• In order for a piece to be considered carnival glass, it must have the tell-tale iridescent, oil-slick appearance. Carnival glass was manufactured in more than 50 hues, from the popular marigold to blues and purples. Red, green and amber were also popular colors. The iridescence can occasionally mask the original color of the glass, so to determine the true color, spot check the piece for a place with no iridescence--the translucent glass is what determines the color of the piece. Pieces that were made in rare colors are often worth more than the commonplace colors.

Patterns and Shapes

• The early producers of carnival glass manufactured over 1,000 different patterns, and today that number stretches easily to 2,000. They went by names such as hobnail, peacock, tulip, thistle and thorn, holly, and double dutch. Even common pieces in some patterns can get a strong price, while rare patterns sometimes don&'t sell at all. The value all depends on demand. Carnival glass pieces come in many shapes as well: plates, bowls, baskets, pitchers and even hatpins.

Age and Condition

• As with any collectible, carnival glass values are affected by the age and condition of the piece. In many cases, the older the glass, the more valuable it is, particularly if it is made by one of the original manufacturers, like Fenton. But condition also affects the price of a piece--if the edges are chipped, there is a stress mark, poor coloration or flaws in the iridescent coating, the value of the piece may be substantially lower.

Demand

• Probably the biggest factor in determining the value of a piece of carnival glass is demand. If the market is flooded with a certain type of piece, the monetary value might not be high. On the other hand, if a certain pattern suddenly becomes popular again, even newly made pieces can fetch a high price. Demand can vary regionally, so it is worthwhile to check with dealers across the country about pricing.