American Cut Glass Industry: T. G. Hawkes and His Competitors
It wasn't until the early 19th-century that a cut-glass industry was established in the United States to meet the increasing demand. In order to avoid labor agitation, one of these first firms moved its plant upstate to Corning, New York, in 1868. The Philadelphia Exposition of 1876 promoted the popularity of cut glass, and soon many more factories were opening in Corning. By 1890, when the T.G. Hawkes company opened for business, the town was promoted as "the Crystal City," and by 1905 it could boast 400 companies. Spillman, curator of American glass at the Corning Museum of Glass, mixes a fascinating look at the cultural history of cut glass with details of the industry, based on recently discovered bills, ledgers, catalogs, and letters from T.G. Hawkes, whose firm remained in business until 1962. This is a fine study of American business as well as of glass design. With 512 illustrations of historic glass pieces, catalog pages, and early advertising, it will also be an important work for glass collectors. For decorative arts and American collectibles collections.?Joseph C. Hewgley, Nashville P.L.Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.