I have been going to some links from Carolyn Aiken's blog. Today, one is from a lady in Sweden. I usually go mainly to see the photos, but I noticed at the top that there is a translator button. I clicked on it; rather awkward English phrasing, but I understood the writing. It pleases me to see international sites (Carolyn lives on Prince Edward Island, Canada; this Swedish one; an earlier one in France) because though there are cultural differences, all of these blogs feature their homes. They show how they incorporate seasonal changes and collectables into the décor and add beauty. Most of them have gorgeous photos of flowers. Whether they are creating sanctuaries (introverts) or a platform for hosting and entertaining people (extroverts), they have enhanced life.
Remember the little blue glass basket I shared with you? I became curious whether it had any manufacturer’s marks. All I could find were the initials BM where the handle attaches to the body of the basket. Isn’t the internet wonderful for solving mysteries? I found two identical baskets on ebay, one still up for auction, the other a completed sale. I learned these are from Indiana Glass Company. Once I had that information, I could go on a search for historical facts.
Actually, it appears the little baskets were part of Tiara Exclusives which technically was a subsidiary of Lancaster Colony Corp., the parent of Indiana Glass Company since the 1950s. Tiara did not manufacture items, but was a selling company for the home-party market which was so popular in 1970 when Tiara was created. The most valuable commodity for companies like Indiana Glass Company was the pressed-glass molds and patterns they had developed thru the years. They reissued some of these in new colors for Tiara. These were unavailable elsewhere, thus the “exclusives” label. You can read a good description of Tiara’s history at this website.
To diversify its product line, Tiara had other glass manufacturers make some items. Therefore, it is possible that my little basket was made somewhere other than Dunkirk, Indiana. But I am inclined to think it was made at Indiana Glass Company. One of the internet sites said:
The only permanent marks one may find on a piece of Tiara glass are initials from a few of the Indiana glassworkers. At one time, Tiara requested that the glass finishers initial one item - the handmade baskets. This was to add an extra prominence to the popular product. It also made for easy employee identification. If a flaw was noticed on this difficult, yet popular piece, the correct glassworker could be questioned. I am listing name which correspond to the initials you may find on some of the Tiara handmade glass baskets. M.D. Milford Davis, T.W. Tom Walker, M.B. Marlene Baker, P.W. Paul White, J.C. Jim Clay, B.M. Benton McCowan, D.B. David Bales, M.R. Mike Robinson, J.T. John Thompson, J.D. Jim Dunlavy, E.T. Ed Templeton, D.T. Darrell Templeton. When I tried to find information about Benton McCowan, I discovered very little. However, there was another older person listed on a Rootsweb family history from Dunkirk who worked at Indiana Glass Company. He was Jerry McCowan. Benton was born about 1930 re the entry and that is all it says. He was the son of Levi McCowan.
I have reason to believe my little basket was made in 1991 or 1992. If so, Benton would be close to retirement age. Hopefully, he was no longer working at Indiana Glass Company in 2002 when the glassmaking facilities were closed down after a prolonged labor union dispute. The closing devastated the small town of Dunkirk, Indiana. A few people who could fix broken molds remained as the molds were kept by Lancaster Colony who moved the manufacturing to Oklahoma, a free-labor state. Finished products from Oklahoma also were stored in Dunkirk for distribution.
I plan to look at a book about Indiana Glass Company at my local public library next week. I am convinced my purchase was manufactured by them. I bought the basket because I like it and felt it would add to my home décor, but I am happy that it was not “made in China”, but has Hoosier roots.
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