Circa 1970 West Virginia Glass Specialty Co. “Glazed Apple” Pattern Juice Tumblers- Set of 5

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Excellent Pre-Owned Condition.

Glassmaking has been a staple in West Virginia for more than 200 years with nearly 500 companies … Read more Excellent Pre-Owned Condition.

Glassmaking has been a staple in West Virginia for more than 200 years with nearly 500 companies setting up shop throughout this period and many yet, no longer in business. The Glazed Apple pattern was introduced in 1974 by West Virginia Glass Specialty Co. and retired in 1981. The collection consisted of an assortment of shapes and sizes. These cuties are crafted from fine quality, nicely weighted hand-pressed glass. Hand pressed glass is created by pouring liquid glass into a steel mould and pressing it with a manual plunger. This particular technique is excellent for any glassware that requires firing on or embossing designs or colors. Evidence of the mould is rarely seen on these pieces and they're not traditional examples of moulded glass. This set belonged to my paternal grandmother who hailed from West Virginia and was a collector of glass made in West Virginia. The tumblers were part of a seven-piece set that included a pitcher and six tumblers but only this set of five tumblers was passed onto me with the assumption the pitcher and other tumbler broke long ago. 8 oz. capacity per tumbler; each measures 3” x 3” 3¼” W/D/H; together the set weighs 3 lbs. Motif is that of texturized “glazed” panes with twin red apples and leaves. Excellent condition with wear that is minimal and typical for glassware from this period. Glass is crystal clear and glossy with no etching or scratches at the weighted bases and lips. For a collector of fruit motif glassware or a West Virginia glass aficionado these cuties might be a nice addition to that collection or the perfect gift for someone who is.

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Brief History on West Virginia Glass Specialty Co.
One man, Louie Wohinc, dominated central West Virginia’s glass industry in the 1920s and 1930s. He founded Louie Glass Company in 1926 and in 1930, West Virginia Glass Specialty Co. He was born in 1880 in Lunlana, Austria. When he was nine years old, he began working in a glass factory in Sagor, Austria. In 1905, he emigrated to the America, arriving in Rochester, Pennsylvania to join an uncle in a glasshouse there. He spoke no English and had very little money but knew that one day he wanted to have his own factory. He moved around and worked at various glass houses, from Tiffin, Ohio to Huntington, WV. He worked for Belgrade Glass Company in Buckhannon, WV from 1910 to 1920, returning to Weston to work for Bastow Manufacturing from 1920 to 1926. In Weston he became a champion glassblower of America. His reputation was that he blew more stemware in a single shift than any other man has ever blown. Louie Wohinc operated these plants until his death in 1950 as a result of an unfortunate bar fight accident. West Virginia Glass Specialty Co. closed its doors in 1981. See less