Hobbies And Interests
Instructions
Look for a maker's mark. Most manufacturers' marks appear on the bottom of a piece of glassware. Use a magnifying glass to examine the underside of your piece. A mark is often an acid-etched company name or a symbol. A mark could also be molded into the piece. If your glassware has significant wear on the bottom or has many decorative cuts or etchings, the mark may be hard to see. Note that not all glassware is marked.
Identify the maker's mark. If you were lucky enough to find a mark, the name of the manufacturer may have been clearly indicated. If you found only a symbol, use a guide to help you identify that image. Visit your library or bookstore to find guidebooks that show glass manufacturers' marks.
Look at glassware collectors' guides. Even if you were unable to find a maker's mark, glassware guidebooks can still help you identify your glassware. Use what you know about the glassware or a distinguishing characteristic to find the most helpful books. There are specialized guides for Depression glass, cobalt blue and almost every type of glass.
Use an Internet glass-identification guide. With an online guide, you can hunt at your leisure for clues to your glassware's origins. There are Web sites that feature brief histories of the different types of glass and many pictures from various manufacturers.
Seek free help. Crystal and china replacement services can help if you have been unsuccessful in identifying your glassware. E-mail, fax or snail mail a picture of your piece that shows its decoration and any markings. The company will use this to identify the pattern and maker by comparing it to their vast inventory and library of information.