In 1901, the Imperial Glass Company was founded in a small Ohio town called Bellaire. By 1904, this small town company was making small glass items such as tumblers and jelly glasses. This was soon to change: in 1910, Imperial Glass Company was creating large quantities of the popular carnival glass popular in that era. However, it wasn’t until 1936 that Imperial Glass Company introduced the most popular product of the companies history: Candlewick glassware.
The most famous of Candlewick glassware is of clear crystal with no design. However, the handle or stem is usually lined with a bubble accent. These glassware pieces are of exquisite creation and are not flawed. The Imperial Glass Company really knew how to create high quality glassware.
Today, Candlewick glassware is one of the most collectible and valuable of the day. Imperial Glass Company created a full line of products ranging from tea cups to dinner plates to wine glasses. Whatever you want, you can find at a collectors shop specializing in Imperial Glass. However, Candlewick glassware is no longer in production. This leave an interesting dilemma: how do you get replacement pieces for an existing collection or how do you start a new collection?
You can sometimes find sets of Candlewick glassware at estate sales or rummage sales. These sets may come in only a couple of pieces (perfect for the beginner) or an almost complete set (what a rare and true beauty to find). The price will range and vary as much as the pieces available. This method of shopping is probably not the most advantageous. You may find one or two pieces or a whole lot, this will depend on the market you shop near.
A better place to shop may be the Internet. Via the Internet you can search, shop, browse, and purchase pieces to start or complete a set. Candlewick glassware is actually easily found on the Internet which makes it a true treasure. Often, completing a collection will take years because the pieces are just not readily available. However, keep in mind that this availability does not mean that Imperial Glass is cheap. Quite the contraire: this glassware is one of the more expensive crystals created in the United States.
Candlewick glassware is a loved icon of a nostalgic period only briefly passed. By offering us durability and versatility with a simplistic design, Imperial Glass has stolen our hearts and will not soon be forgotten. Therefore, should you find any Imperial Glass, be assured that no matter what decade it came from and no matter what series it is from, that glassware is durable and probably worth collecting. If you find a piece or two by chance, if the price is right you should always grab the chance to get Candlewick glassware.
When you purchase Candlewick glassware, you are purchasing a bit of United States history. Imperial Glass Company has offered the people a product that is affordable, simple, and versatile. This will forever meld this beloved glass into our lives from one generation to the next. Candlewick glassware is definitely here to stay.
