The reproduced iris and herringbone, 6 1/2", crystal, ice tea tumbler, with the iris flower on foot, is my most recent discovery. To determine if your ice tea tumbler with iris flowers (4 ea) on the foot is a reproduction, look at the rays on the base of the foot. If there's a distinct gap between the end of the rays and the ring around the center of the foot it's a reproduction. This one has the same problems as the ice tea without the flowers on the foot. You can see this very clearly in the photo's I've provided. On the original ice teas with the Iris flower on the foot, (which by the way are very rare, because production was very limited back when these were first produced between 1928-32, because Jeannette had problems with the molds, getting the iris flowers to show up properly) the rays extend all the way to the center of the ring, with no gap what so-ever. As on the regular reproduced ice tea's, no flower on the foot, the rays are sharp to the touch, not like the very well rounded rays on the originals. Color is also way too clear. In-fact, there's no color at all. Just like on all of the other reproductions that have surfaced in recent years in this pattern since late 1999’.
Back about a year ago, while surfing on a very popular auction site, I found a photo of an iris, iridescent, 9", dinner plate that appeared to have the same exact pattern towards the outside edge of the rim where the herringbone V's end as does the reproduced crystal, 9", dinner plate. But since that time, I’ve not discovered any piece in the iridescent color that would cause need for alarm.
Collectors, use common sense when buying on any auction site. If a piece in the iris and herringbone pattern shows up all of a sudden that hasn't been seen in years, ask the seller questions, e-mail me and get me to look at the posted auction and photo or photos ‘before’ you bid. I don't mind at all. I'll do my best to help anyway I can. ponderman@triad.rr.com
Do your homework! Stop buying reproductions thinking they are originals. And in doing so you are encouraging the sellers of these reproductions to continue selling them on-line! Trust me, it can be a very expensive lesson as many of you have found out already I’m sure, if you've been taken to the cleaners buying reproductions in this pattern. Say A-Men!
In Christ,
Mike ........... PondermaN