Ruby Stain Newsletter

Volume 3, Issue 1

As a Neo-Luddite I have avoided the Internet. While not actually joining the Twenty-first Century I have decided to activate a Web site. Rubystain.com and rubystainmuseum.com should be fully up and running by the end of September 2003. This newsletter and its contents will become a part of the site.

Heacock Patterns, New Information:

Short Panelled Diamonds:
I got so used to seeing this pattern in the ubiquitous goblet that it failed to register that it came in at least one size of vase. In researching the pattern several interesting items came to light. Heacock refers to a National/McKee reprint but this is not part of the book. Millard was first to name the pattern but since there was already a Panelled Diamonds, Metz added the "short." Heacock has the OMN as No. 33 Pattern. Stout shows No. 33 as a six inch tall, plain, automobile vase, perhaps with stem notching, but certainly nothing like the pictured vase. [Stout, Sandra: The Complete Book of McKee Glass; Trojan Press; 1972; Page 449.] I cannot confirm Heacock's reference to "bowls" in a Butler Brother's Catalog.

Decorama:
The black and white picture in Book 7 does not do this pattern justice. A color picture is attached. Anyone wanting to learn more about this pattern can find the information in "Collecting Glass" by Bill Heacock, Volume 2, 1985, pp. 46 & 65. The article notes that the Czech catalog showing this tumbler also shows a pitcher, sherbet, and wine decanter. Has anyone seen these pieces, ruby stained or not?

Lace Band; Imperial No. 4:
In trying to understand the differences between the Lace Band and Duncan No. 2001 patterns one of my pieces of Lace Band did not look quite right. Further research showed that Imperial made a pattern they called No. 6 which was No. 4 (Lace Band) with an inside optic. Heacock notes that Optic Flute is an alternate name for Lace Band/ Imperial No. 4. This is not accurate. Optic Flute is Imperial No. 6. It is a pattern not previously recorded in ruby stain.

Contrary to the 1910 end date of Heacock, Kamm in Book 7 notes the appearance of Imperial No. 4 and No. 6 in a 1915 Catalog. [Page 45.]

Masonic:
It is not unusual to find an English registry mark on metal frames and holders for American made glass. Heacock discusses this practice. However, several of the pieces of Masonic in the museum have the same RD number molded into the glass. Some of the numbered glass pieces are still or could have originally been associated with metal frames. Pictured is the original sardine container. Some of the numbered glass pieces appear never to have been associated with any metal frame.

Recently acquired is a Punty Band wine with an RD number of 310925. The very small number is on the bottom of the foot circling the point where the stem joins the foot.

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