Original Listing Description

eBay Up for your consideration is a most interesting ten piece set of Fostoria American Elegant glassware made during the Great Depression years (1930-1939) and because of its popularity some years afterward here in America. The Fostoria Glassware Company operated from 1887 to 1986, and began production in Fostoria, Ohio where they depleted their supply of natural gas and later relocated to Moundsville, West Virginia where natural gas was plentiful to operate their fiery glass kilns. The company was a huge success as they advertised a lot more than most glassware companies of the time period by creating their own mail order catalogue and featuring their patterned glass in magazines like the Ladies Home Journal, Women's Day, and the Sears Catalogue and because of this advertising the company became one of the largest glass companies in the nation. In fact, in 1935 the renowned department store of Chicago, IL Marshall Fields & Company featured Fostoria glassware in their bridal registry the very first bridal registry in America. Besides these advertising endeavors Fostoria had sample studios in New York, NY, Chicago, IL, Dallas TX, San Francisco, CA, Los Angelas, CA and more.Fostoria's cube block optic American Elegant pattern #2056 hit the country by storm as it was an Avant Garde pattern that was new and different from traditional glassware of the time period surpassing etched glass, lead crystal, colored depression glass to name a few. The glass technique was pressed glass and molten glass was hand-pressed into cube optic molds and the glass they used was a secret glass called 'Fostoria crystal formula' giving the pressed cube block optic pieces a crystal look to them and this formula is a secret even today. The pitcher in this nine-piece set is a 2 quart one, and it is made in the cube block optic style where one cube of glass rests on top of another cube of glass moving upward like small ice cubes where it is finished off with eight cubes that comprise the rim on top. There is wide spout on top of this fine piece, a nice size handle on it, and a starburst pattern underneath it too. Included in the sale is a large fruit bowl with urn like handles on either side to pick it up and move it about a room and it has a starburst pattern underneath it. Also included in the sale are eight 8-ounce water glasses with wide openings at the top that taper down to a footed base on all eight of the matching glasses, and all eight are also done in the cube block optic style making this set ready for the indoor/outdoor patio for serving lemonade, limeade, orangeade, iced tea, iced coffee, or fruit punch.If you decorate in the minimalist style, contemporary, or industrial style of decor this glassware set would be of particular interest to you as this set offsets Pablo Picasso's cubist style of art where art displays a three dimensional or cubic look to it. So, if you decorate in the cubist style this set would be just perfect for the dining, brunch, or buffet tables creating a super cubic look and appeal to it.The pitcher is ideal for water or milk too, and it measures 8 1/2" tall X 8" wide from spout to handle X 5" in diameter around the opening on the top X 3 1/2" in diameter underneath it, the fruit bowl measures 9" tall X 12" wide from handle to handle X 8 1/2" in diameter across the ttop X 3 1/4" in diameter underneath it, and each of the eight glasses measures 5 3/4" tall X 3 3/4" in diameter across the top X 2 3/4" in diameter underneath it, and the set is in 'mint' condition. Good luck! Any questions? Email me right away! Please see my other treasures on my EBAY site by clicking on "SELLER'S OTHER ITEMS." Don't hesitate to make a 'reasonable' offer as my prices are flexible too. (Condition: Pre-Owned)

Note: This item has been sold and is no longer available. This page serves as a historical price reference for Fostoria Glass collectors and appraisers.