The content on this page is brought to you by the Depression Era Glass and China Show. There is more Depression Era Glass and China listed for sale on this site, than absolutely anywhere else on the internet. Click on this link to visit close to 80 Nationally recognized reputable dealers.

Tiffin Treasures - The Burmese Bookends

By: Kelly O'Kane

The purpose of this series of articles is to acquaint you with the wonderful world of Tiffin glass, and in particular, some of the pieces most sought after by Tiffin collectors (including yours truly).

The story of the Tiffin, Ohio glass factory is unique. The first glass was produced in 1889, and until the furnace was shut down in 1980, this factory produced as many if not more different styles of glassware than any other in American history. A brief overview of the production focus-

1880’s - Mid 1890’s: Pressed barware and tableware
1890’s - 1910’s:     Cut ware in the Brilliant style
Mid 1910’s - 1920’s: Satin glass and blown ware
Mid-1920’s - 1930’s: Elegant glassware of the Depression Era
1940’s - Closing:    Modern style artware

Stemware production was fundamental to the factory throughout its operation.

The factory operated under many official names over the years:
A.J. Beatty & Sons
United States Glass Company, Factory R
Tiffin Art Glass Corporation
Continental Can Corporation
Interpace Corporation (parent company of Franciscan)
Towle Silversmiths

Collectors have come to include all of the production from the factory under the banner of Tiffin Glass. While this is convenient, it does create problems. First, there were other glass factories in Tiffin, Ohio, and one of them, which made some extremely collectible glass figurines, was actually named the Tiffin Glass Company. Also, as part of the gigantic United States Glass Company, a huge percentage of glassware made by the “Company” is incorrectly attributed to the factory in Tiffin, Ohio.

In this series of articles, I will always being referring to the glass made at the what was originally the Beatty factory unless otherwise noted.

With that background in mind, here’s the first treasure!

For many years, the Bookend you see pictured here was simply called the Buddha Bookend. It easily described the piece, and besides, it’s fun to say Buddha Bookend. In the research files I purchased from Fred Bickenheuser, author of the groundbreaking Tiffin Glassmasters books, I discovered the actual name for these bookends, and this information is being published for the first time on MegaShow! So say hello to the Burmese Bookends.

The Burmese Bookends can be found in three color combinations: black, crystal and crystal with a frosted finish. (I say frosted finish to distinguish the finish from the earlier satin finish produced at the plant, which feels different due to the different chemicals used in the acid bath.)

None of these colors is easily to find, and the black is the most eagerly sought after by Tiffin collectors. This color was called Black Jade by the factory workers, and when the bookend is held up to a strong light, distinct colors can be seen inside the black! In the base and the very top of the bookend there is dark green color, and in the face a beautiful deep ruby color. Believe me, there is no end to the “oohs” and “aahs” these bookends produce!

It is rumored that the production of the bookend mirrored that of another figural produced by Tiffin, and was limited to 1,000 copies of each color.

Considered yourself lucky to see or own a pair of these beauties, which are truly, Tiffin Treasures.

Did you find this article interesting? Do you collect Tiffin Glass? If you answered yes, please consider membership in The Tiffin Glass Collectors Club. Dues are $15.00 per person per year. Checks, made payable to TGCC, should be sent to TGCC, PO Box 554, Tiffin, Ohio 44883. Please tell them you learned of the club through MegaShow.

Kelly O'Kane is a contributor to the Tiffin Glass Collectors Club newsletter and The Daze magazine, and is author of Tiffin Glassmasters: The Modern Years to be published this Spring.

Return to Dealer Directory

Return to Mega Show Entrance