Straw Marks

[Double D Auction]

Can someone explain how the straw was used in hand blown mold &
molded glass?
Debbie

[Donna E Thomas]

Double D Auction <honest.a...@epsi.net> wrote in message
news:3816e...@news.epsi.net...

> Can someone explain how the straw was used in hand blown mold &
> molded glass?
> Debbie
>

Debbie,
I don't think the strawmarks found on authentic blown mold & molded pattern
glass have anything to do with the use of straw in the manufacture of the
glass. I learned that they were imperfections that happened in the process
of making the glass and that they were called strawmarks only because they
resembled pieces of straw in their configuaration.

When I started collecting pattern glass (oh dear, well over 40 years ago),
this was mentioned in practically every magazine article on pattern glass,
which was quite popular then. Lots of information about pattern glass
occured in such respected antiques related magazines as Hobbies.(which in
spite of its name did not deal with any collectibles or crafts, only
respectable vintage stuff)

The prevailing advice, back then, was not to view strawmarks as a defect
that would devalue the glass, but rather, as a characteristic phenomena that
adds individuality and speaks of authenticity.

It worked for me then and it works for me today.

Happy antiquing!!

donnamel
glassy-eyed-&-glad-of-it-antiques

[Ed Faulkner]

It is my understanding (from where that I don't know) that the glass was
set on the straw and maybe it was used to separate items after they had
cooled to where they wouldn't ignite wet straw. It was cheap and easily
blown away after use. Ed

--
Ed & Lucy Faulkner
Ink Bottle Collectors (& trade cards)
http://www.erols.com/efaulk/

[Double D Auction]

Donna E Thomas wrote:
>I don't think the strawmarks found on authentic blown mold &
molded pattern
>glass have anything to do with the use of straw in the
manufacture of the
>glass.

Yes, as I just learned.

(snip)

>The prevailing advice, back then, was not to view strawmarks as
a defect
>that would devalue the glass, but rather, as a characteristic
phenomena that
>adds individuality and speaks of authenticity.

I agree. I understand, however, that all of the old
imperfections in glassware & pottery that screamed, "Hey, I'm
old." are now a part of the reproduction procedure.
Debbie

[Double D Auction]

Sounds like a logical answer, Ed, but actually I answered this
question myself just a few minutes ago. I gotta quit answering
myself before someone thinks I'm crazy. Nah, who would ever
think that? <vbg>
Debbie

[Marshall Schuon]

On Wed, 27 Oct 1999 21:46:38 -0700, "Donna E Thomas"
<donn...@strato.net> wrote:
>
>Double D Auction <honest.a...@epsi.net> wrote in message
>news:3816e...@news.epsi.net...
>> Can someone explain how the straw was used in hand blown mold &
>> molded glass?
>> Debbie
>>
>

>I don't think the strawmarks found on authentic blown mold & molded pattern
>glass have anything to do with the use of straw in the manufacture of the

>glass. I learned that they were imperfections that happened in the process
>of making the glass and that they were called strawmarks only because they
>resembled pieces of straw in their configuaration.

_________

Donna is absolutely correct.

Marshall

[Double D Auction]

Here is what I have found so far & it confirms the cold shear
theory.

After gathering the required amount of molten glass onto the
punty (a steel rod), the glass is placed into the mold. The
presser then uses his shears to separate the glass from the
punty, often leaving marks. I presume that more than one mark on
a piece could mean that the presser misjudged the amount of glass
needed & cut off more blobs.

He then forces a plunger into the mold, pressing the glass into
the desired pattern by forcing it into contact with all parts of
the mold.

This then would explain the odd placement of the straw or shears
mark, as it would be moved from its original position.

Glassware that has a different inner & outer pattern is created
by pouring the glass into the outer pattern mold. The inner
pattern is made by the pattern being carved into the plunger.

I still haven't worked out why some marks are on the inside &
some outside. Perhaps it depends on how close to the edge the
fold is & how far the plunger would be required to press it.
Debbie

[ReyneH]

Interesting Deb - where did you find that?

Reyne

[Double D Auction]

ReyneH wrote:
>Interesting Deb - where did you find that?

©1979 Greentown Glass, the Indiana Tumbler & Goblet Co. by James
Measell & published by Grand Rapids Public Museum. Sadly, I
believe it has been out of print for several years.
Debbie

[ReyneH]

Debbie

I wonder if that applies to just EAPG or Carnival Glass too?

Reyne

[Double D Auction]

ReyneH wrote:
>I wonder if that applies to just EAPG or Carnival Glass too?

The carved plunger that creates the inner pattern came from
Millersburg Glass by Marie McGee. This is the only information
on this subject that I found in the 9 carnival books I own. The
rest of the info in that post came from Greentown Glass as I
previously stated.

The quote about the cold shears leaving a fold called a straw or
shear mark came from Oil Lamps II, Glass Kerosene Lamps by
Catherine M.V. Thuro. They had a nice description of the process
of glassmaking & the cause of imperfections.

This is all I have found so far, but I have a long way to go yet.

It's disgusting that so many reference books go into great
history detail, but say little or nothing about the process of
producing the product.
Debbie

[Jane Thomas]

In article <38190...@news.epsi.net>,

"Double D Auction" <honest.a...@epsi.net> wrote:
> Here is what I have found so far & it confirms the cold shear
> theory.
>
> After gathering the required amount of molten glass onto the
> punty (a steel rod), the glass is placed into the mold. The
> presser then uses his shears to separate the glass from the
> punty, often leaving marks. I presume that more than one mark on
> a piece could mean that the presser misjudged the amount of glass
> needed & cut off more blobs.
>
> He then forces a plunger into the mold, pressing the glass into
> the desired pattern by forcing it into contact with all parts of
> the mold.
>
> This then would explain the odd placement of the straw or shears

> mark, as it would be moved from its original position.......

Hi Debbie,

Here are some notes on the early production of pressed glass and some of
the technical difficulties encountered:

http://members.tripod.com/~Jane_Thomas/index-7.html

The use of moulds for producing glassware is not new, mould-blown
glassware, in which molten glass on the end of a tube is placed in a
mould and expanded by blowing to take the shape of the mould, is an
ancient process and has been used since Roman times.

Patents for press-moulding processes were first taken out in America in
the 1820s. By about 1850, most of the initial technical problems had
been resolved and many American and British glassmaking companies had
taken up press-moulding. Glassmakers became machine operators with no
control over the shape of the end product, while at the same time
achieving a 10-fold increase in production.

Cheers,

Jane

Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Before you buy.

[Double D Auction]

Thanks, Jane. I'll be sure to look it over.
Debbie

Jane Thomas wrote:
>Here are some notes on the early production of pressed glass and
some of
>the technical difficulties encountered:
>
>http://members.tripod.com/~Jane_Thomas/index-7.html

(snip)