An Unexpected Christmas Surprise

I know this post is WAY late, but I had forgotten all about it! 

On December 9th I received an email from the USPS informing me of a package being sent to me from my mom back in Texas. When I talked to her she told me that is was a little surprise for "all the girls" in the family. She wouldn't tell me what it was or even give me a hint. Instead I had to sit and wait patiently. For those of you who don't know me very well, patience is not something I have acquired in the past 30 years. 

The wait was agony, but the package finally arrived a couple of weeks later. I tore into it as fast as I possibly could. I'm pretty sure my husband hid under his desk, afraid I might cut him open in the process.

I refused to unwrap the goodness that awaited me until I had ready the attached letter and information. This had Hans rather perplexed. For someone so impatient, why would I wait to see what it is until AFTER I have read everything? Well, I guess it's the OCD kicking in. I have to do it a certain way, and that was the order in which I decided it should be done.

Anyway, got the letters read, and ripped off the bubble wrap to reveal these beautiful pieces.

Both of which were produced by the Cambridge Glass Company in Cambridge, Ohio. My Great-Great-Great Grandmother worked for the Cambridge Glass Company and there are rumors that my Great-Great Grandfather worked there as well. The factory produced some of the USA's most elegant glassware from 1901-1958.

This trinket box (also called a toilet box) is from the Mount Vernon line, which was produced in 1931 and continued for more than 20 years. This line was a modified Stratford line, which had a larger diamond pattern.

This pitcher is in the Fernland Pattern. Cambridge started with pressed glass which was called Near Cut. It was produced to allow the beauty of the cut glass to be more affordable to the general public. The earliest reference to the Fernland line was found in a 1906 Cambridge catalog. Fernland was phased out sometime around 1910, so it is safe to assume this pitcher is at least 100 years old!

There is some faint "sun-purling" to the pitcher. During and after the Civil War, lead was in short supply so manganese was used in glass products to give the same brilliance seen in leaded crystal. It was discovered that if these pieces were placed in direct sunlight, they would get a purple hue to them. The UV light causes a chemical reaction. Some people like it and other's don't. Some avid collectors feel it makes the pieced flawed. I personally think it shows age and character.

For more information on Cambridge Glass, check out cambridgeglass.org and check out the MVSG albums. There is a wealth of information. If you're interested in the history of the company, go check out A Brief History of the Cambridge Glass Company.

I think these pieces are by far the best gifts I have ever received! 

Thanks Mom!