Pattern Name:LIBERTY BELL

Pattern Motif:Commemorative

Glass Type:Non-Flint

Manufacturer:Adams & Company in Pittsburg

Era:1870s

Description:50 Favorites - 35 One non-lead glass pattern with a confusing history features a LIBERTY BELL motif with the inscriptions “Declaration of Independence” above the bell, “100 Years Ago” opposite the bell and the dates “1776” and “1876” in banners to each side of the bell. Minnie Watson Kamm called this pattern “Centennial” but acknowledged that collectors often referred to it as “Liberty Bell.” Subsequent writers have favored the latter designation, while the term “Centennial” has been used to describe a pattern consisting of a cord-drappery motif and the lone date, “1876.” Kamm attributed LIBERTY BELL to the Sandwich factory (Two Hundred Pattern Glass Pitchers, 1939). Alice Hulett Metz credited the pattern to Gillinder & Sons of Philadelphia but continued to maintain there was some association to Sandwich, claiming the pattern was designed by a grandson of Deming Jarves, founder of the Boston & Sandwich Glass Company. Confirmation of the Jarves connection has never been made. Ruth Webb Lee also attributed LIBERTY BELL to Gillinder, citing as evidence the existence of mugs shaped like Liberty Bells and inscribed by the company. Lee cites as supporting evidence the existence of plates and dishes in the LIBERTY BELL pattern, bearing t he patent date “Sept. 28, 1875.” This patent covered the design of the bell and was taken out by James C. Gill of Philadelphia. Gill was not obligated to assign his patent to Gillinder because he resided in the same city, of course. Recent scholarship has established that Adams & Company of Pittsburgh was the actual manufacturer of the pattern.(50 Favorites catalogue) AKA Centennial U1, p. 274