Already a member?
Sign in
Welcome! Wikis are websites that everyone can build together. It's easy!
- EasyEdit
- Edit tags
- Email page
-
(what's this?What are these tools?
People just like you can add or edit the content on this site. If you want to try editing, but aren't ready to add to this site, try our demo area.
Read more about editing pages at Wetpaint Central.
)
Vaseline Glass
Sometimes called “the magic glass” because it seems to glow from within, the vibrantly colored Victorian tableware known as Vaseline glass gets its unique yellow-green color from the radioactive uranium dioxide that’s added to the molten glass. Its name comes from Vaseline petroleum jelly—not because the glass was ever used to package it, but because the jelly used to have a yellow-green transparency that resembled the color of the glass.
Vaseline glass was first manufactured in Bohemia. It was introduced in the United States in the 1840s, where it was widely used for making pressed and blown glass pieces, including candlesticks, vases, plates, goblets, and other items. Back then, no one knew of the possible danger associated with radioactive material. Recent studies have shown that Vaseline glass is safe—it radiates uranium dioxide at levels only slightly higher than those normally found in the atmosphere.
Early Vaseline glass pieces appeared in a bright yellow-green tone called canary yellow, which was made by adding the uranium dioxide to a high-lead-content flint glass. After the Civil War, the lead content of Vaseline glass dropped, which caused a loss of some vibrancy, but also lowered production costs, making it more affordable. Leading American manufacturers of Vaseline glass included Northwood and Company; Hobbs, Brockunier and Company; and Jefferson Glass, all located in the area where Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia meet, which had huge natural gas deposits to feed their glass furnaces. In England, the leading manufacturer was Geo. Davidson and Company.
Vaseline glass was most popular between 1870 and 1905, but its vogue may have been curtailed because of one of the pivotal inventions of the 20th century: the light bulb. The light wavelength of incandescent bulbs causes Vaseline glass’s vibrant yellow-green to change dramatically to a flat yellow.
Vaseline glass has become very popular with collectors, who search for it across the entire antiques marketplace. It is easy to identify since it will glow neon green under a black light. Beginning collectors usually start with common forms, such as plates and goblets. Rarer forms, such as compotes, and two-piece forms, such as covered butters, will be more expensive.
Vaseline glass was first manufactured in Bohemia. It was introduced in the United States in the 1840s, where it was widely used for making pressed and blown glass pieces, including candlesticks, vases, plates, goblets, and other items. Back then, no one knew of the possible danger associated with radioactive material. Recent studies have shown that Vaseline glass is safe—it radiates uranium dioxide at levels only slightly higher than those normally found in the atmosphere.
Early Vaseline glass pieces appeared in a bright yellow-green tone called canary yellow, which was made by adding the uranium dioxide to a high-lead-content flint glass. After the Civil War, the lead content of Vaseline glass dropped, which caused a loss of some vibrancy, but also lowered production costs, making it more affordable. Leading American manufacturers of Vaseline glass included Northwood and Company; Hobbs, Brockunier and Company; and Jefferson Glass, all located in the area where Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia meet, which had huge natural gas deposits to feed their glass furnaces. In England, the leading manufacturer was Geo. Davidson and Company.
Vaseline glass was most popular between 1870 and 1905, but its vogue may have been curtailed because of one of the pivotal inventions of the 20th century: the light bulb. The light wavelength of incandescent bulbs causes Vaseline glass’s vibrant yellow-green to change dramatically to a flat yellow.
Vaseline glass has become very popular with collectors, who search for it across the entire antiques marketplace. It is easy to identify since it will glow neon green under a black light. Beginning collectors usually start with common forms, such as plates and goblets. Rarer forms, such as compotes, and two-piece forms, such as covered butters, will be more expensive.
Latest page update: made by kjacobso
, Jun 19 2007, 2:16 PM EDT
(about this update
About This Update
Edited by kjacobso
view changes
- complete history)
Edited by kjacobso
view changes
- complete history)
More Info: links to this page