As the name implies, Paden City Glass Manufacturing Company had its beginnings in Paden City, West Virginia in 1916. The focus of the company was pressed and molded, high quality glassware. David Fisher, formerly of New Martinsville Glass became the company's first President (where he remained for the next 17 years until his death). After that David's son continued running the company until they ceased production in 1951.
The focus of Paden City was selling directly to decorating companies. This focus kept them afloat during the Depression, with companies like Empire Silver, Lotus and Van Deman buying the firm's glassware.
What to Collect:
Color was a keynote to Paden City, some of the most collectible lines being the Crows Foot pattern, Penny Line, Party Line and Largo. Beyond this some of Paden City's etched kitchen items are also highly sought after including Black Forest, Nora Bird, Peacock and Rose, Delilah, Orchid, and Cupid etchings.
Patterns by the Year
Here's a brief review of when various patterns became available:
1918: Webb, Estelle, Pineapple, Ross, Inna, Virginia, Etta, Edna. (Most of these patterns were created in clear crystal with rare ones in black or opal.)
1925: Regina
1928: Simplicity, Archaic, Party Line (very long lasting and popular)
Throughout the 1940s Paden City Glass also hosted an offering of glass animals.
In the Early 1950s Canton Glass bought all of Paden City's inventory including the molds. Canton initially sold remaining inventory, not using any molds until 1970. At this time, Canton re-introduced Georgian tumblers with interesting colors. Paden City's animal molds were sold to Fenton and New Martinsville.
Other companies purchase specific molds for use/sale. L.G. Write began producing Black Forest with etching, Bellaire goblets, and Daisy & Cube compote dishes. These started to appear in the early 1950s and continued thru the 1980s.
Colors:
Paden City Glass was the "color company" (a designation they earned by using innovative colors). Among the many hues you'll find crystal, copen blue, ruby stained, cheriglo, green, light blue, ebony, black, canary yellow, amber, primrose, and cobalt.
What can I expect to Pay
Like other glass products, the cost of Paden City Glass depends on its age, condition and rarity. A sampling of auctionlistings puts a crow's foot bowl with silver etching at $175, a cobalt blue candy dish with silver $295, a simple three part crystal candle holder at just $17, a gazebo tray at $75.00, and footed red cups and saucers at about $25.
As the name implies, Paden City Glass Manufacturing Company had its beginnings in Paden City, West Virginia in 1916. The focus of the company was pressed and molded, high quality glassware. David Fisher, formerly of New Martinsville Glass became the company's first President (where he remained for the next 17 years until his death). After that David's son continued running the company until they ceased production in 1951.
What to Collect:
In the Early 1950s Canton Glass bought all of Paden City's inventory including the molds. Canton initially sold remaining inventory, not using any molds until 1970. At this time, Canton re-introduced Georgian tumblers with interesting colors. Paden City's animal molds were sold to Fenton and New Martinsville.
