Saturday, April 7, 2012

A History of Anchor Hocking

Old Cafe Candy Bowl with Royal Ruby Lid
You can find Anchor Hocking glassware just about anywhere housewares are sold today but what you may not know is what a wonderful collectible Anchor Hocking glass is!

From its humble beginnings as a turn of the century glass company near the banks of the Hocking River in Lancaster Ohio Anchor Hocking has grown to become a favorite in homes across America. 

I use Anchor glass every day and I bet that you have some in your kitchen as well.

Block Optic Powder Jar


Anchor Hocking began business in 1905 with the purchase of the Lancaster Carbon Company in Ohio. The original investors, Isaac Collins, EB Good and their associates named the company Hocking Glass for the nearby Hocking River and nicknamed the plant the “Black Cat” because of all of the carbon dust.

When the original plant burned to the ground in 1924, “Plant 1” was built on the original site and later that same year Hocking acquired the Lancaster Glass Co. and the Standard Glass Co.
Forest Green Dessert Cups


In 1931, Hocking Glass entered the glass container business leading to the 1937 merger of Hocking Glass Company and Anchor Cap and Closure Company and bringing about the more familiar Anchor Hocking name.

Boopie Glasses



The corporation continued to grow through expansion of the existing company’s products and facilities, building new plants and acquiring additional companies across the USA. 

By 1969 the word ‘glass’ was no longer part of this international corporation whose products now included plastics, lighting, earthenware, china and stoneware. 

Today the company has a major manufacturing facility and a 1.3 million square foot distribution center employing over 1,300 people in Lancaster, Ohio and is a leading producer of consumer glass 
products with distribution around the world. 
 
I hope you have enjoyed learning a little about Anchor Hocking's history. Whether you are looking for Depression Glass, Mid Century designs or something from the seventies or eighties Anchor Hocking has something for every taste and style.

 

Fire King Mugs


Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Anchor Hocking Glass Timeline

1905
- Hocking Glass Company founded by Isaac Collins and EB Good
- Lancaster Carbon Company purchased

1924
- The original plant, nicknamed the Black Cat, burns down
- Plant1 built on the original plant’s site
- Controlling interest purchased -Lancaster Glass Co. (Plant 2)
- Controlling interest purchased -Standard Class Co.

1929
- 15-mold machine developed that could produce 90 pieces of glassware per minute enabling the company to offer low cost glass items and survive the Great Depression.

1931
- 50% of the General Glass Company is purchased
- General Glass acquires Turner Glass Company of Winchester, Indiana

1934
- The first one-way beer bottle is developed

1937
- Hocking Glass Company and Anchor Cap and Closure Corporation merge
- Name changes to Anchor Hocking Glass Corporation

1940’s
- Purchased Carr-Lowry Glass Company, Maryland
- Purchased Maywood Glass, west coast

1950’s
- Research and Development Center opened in Lancaster, Ohio
- Purchased Tropical Glass and Container Company, Jacksonville Florida

1959
- New facility built in San Leandro, California

1962
- New glass container plant built in Houston, Texas
- 2nd unit added to R&D, renamed the General Development Laboratory

1963
- Zanesville Mold Company in Ohio became a subsidiary of Anchor Hocking Glass

1968
- Plastics Incorporated acquired in St Paul, Minnesota
- Plastic plant built in Springdale, Ohio


1969
- Name changed to Anchor Hocking Corporation – “Glass” dropped due to product diversification

1970
- Phoenix Glass Company, Monaca, Pennsylvania purchased
- Taylor, Smith & Taylor Company, Chester, West Virginia purchased

1978
- Phoenix Glass Company destroyed by fire

1979
- Shenango China, New Castle, Pennsylvania purchased

1981
- Taylor, Smith and Taylor sold

1983
- Glass Container Division sold to Wesray Corp who used the name Anchor Glass Container Corporation for this division and maintained seven manufacturing plants and an office in Lancaster, Ohio.

1987
- Newell Corporation acquires the Anchor Hocking Corporation
- Clarksburg, West Virginia facility closed

1988
- Shenango China sold by Newell Corporation

1989
- Carr-Lowry Glass sold by Newell Corporation

2001
- Libbey makes unsuccessful attempt to purchase Anchor Hocking

2002
- Anchor Hocking sold to Global Home Products

2006
- Global Home Products and Anchor Hocking file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy

Monday, April 6, 2009

EAPG Virginia Banded Portand




Manufactured in 1901 as Virginia by Portland Glass Company, part of US Glass as part of the States Series. Commonly called Banded Portland by collectors. Shown is the celery vase and the pitcher.

Thursday, April 2, 2009

EAPG The Prize Berry Bowls National Glass 1902







These EAPG berry bowls are in "The Prize" pattern by the National Glass Company, circa 1902. The pattern was so named because it won first prize for design in the prior year. Measuring 4” wide and 2” tall with slightly cupped rims they have a scalloped edge of alternating round and pointed tips. The design around the bowl also has an alternating round and pointed design and there is a 26 point star on the bottom. The design is very crisp, it almost feels cut, but not quite.

EAPG O’Hara Bartholdi Spooner Etch #362 c 1886

This lovely EAPG Bartholdi Spooner with Etch #362 was made by O’Hara Glass Company of Pittsburgh and dates back to 1886. The pattern was introduced in 1886, named in honor of the sculptor of the Statue of Liberty, Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi. It measures approximately 4 7/8 inches high and has a buttons and stars design around the rim and base as well as the etch in the center.

EAPG Westmoreland 1907 Paddlewheel tall compote



This Early American Pattern Glass (EAPG) piece is a tall compote in the Paddlewheel pattern by Westmoreland glass c. 1907. Featuring whirling hobstars and a scalloped sawtooth edge on the bowl and a tall slender stem this is one of my favorites.

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Cobalt Blue Glass Duncan & Miller Radiance Cup & Saucer



This gorgeous cobalt blue set was made by Duncan and Miller in their Radiance pattern. Radiance combines a ribbed design and a very pretty cup handle with a "wing" design. The cups are 3.5" across and 2.25" tall, and the matching saucers are 6" across

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