Cranbury resident has collected antique glassware from as far back as the 1860s.
By: Josh Appelbaum
For Cranbury resident Karen Kelley, collecting antique pattern glassware isn’t just a hobby, it’s a passion.
The entirety of the new exhibit at the Cranbury Museum, "Early American Pattern Glass, 1860-1910s," is comprised of about 400 pieces from Ms. Kelley’s collection. And that’s only little more than half of her personal collection.
Ms. Kelley, has been seeking out pattern glass which was hand pressed from molds into various forms of tableware when it first began to be produced in the 1820s at antique shops, shows and flea markets for the past 15 years. Since then, she’s amassed more than 1,000 pieces, and that’s in addition to her collections of Waterford Crystal and Depression-era glassware.
Ms. Kelley first started collecting Depression glass cheaply made colored glass that was machine manufactured in the 1930s but was taken with the fun of hunting for Early American tableware.
"Because it’s older, it’s a bit more difficult to find," Ms. Kelley said.
And for her, that’s the fun of it.
"I have to do a quite a bit of research on some pieces," Ms. Kelley said. "I’ve gotten a few old books that are out of print on different patterns."
Ms. Kelley said looking for pattern glass is a good hobby because it takes attention to detail and is fairly inexpensive to buy. She said the key is to be able to develop an eye for the craftsmanship.
"Pattern glass is not something that a lot of people are aware of," Ms. Kelley said. "But some of it is very high quality and it’s sometimes difficult to distinguish because it is clear glass not like Depression glass, which is colored and distinctive."
She said she’s developed a feel for the tint, shape, weight, functions and handles of tableware made by manufacturers like U.S. Glass, McKee and Bryce Bros. of Pittsburgh and Portland Glass of Maine.
One of the oldest pieces in her collection that is on display is a cup plate commemorating Henry Clay’s presidential candidacy in 1844. Ms. Kelley said Henry Clay was a subject for glassblowers during his presidential campaign. She said the cup plate was probably made by the Boston & Sandwich Glass Co..
Another of Ms. Kelley’s prized pieces is a platter commemorating the Centennial in 1876.
"This is a bread platter that was made by Gillinder & Sons of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania," Ms. Kelley said. "In the center is an American Eagle holding in its beak a riband with the inscription, ‘Liberty and Freedom, 1776.’ The bird holds in its talons a document with the words, ‘Constitution of the United States.’"
The display cases, shelves and the dining table of the Gephardt Room of Cranbury Museum is brimming with Ms. Kelley’s early American glass, but that’s nothing compared to her home.
"Everyone always asks that question where do you keep it all?"
She said most of the pieces are display throughout her home, while the more valuable glass is stored away and isn’t used frequently. Most pieces are rotated in and out of display in her home.
"I change what pieces I have at certain times," Ms. Kelley said. "Usually in the change of seasons or around the holidays. I have pieces that I like to use for different holidays."
The current exhibit, "Early American Pattern Glass: 1860-1910s," will run through the fall. The museum is open Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. or by appointment. The curators suggest a $5 donation. The museum is located at 4 Park Place East. For more information call (609) 655-2611.