A Century of Carnival Glass

Glen and Stephen Thistlewood

Published in the USA by Schiffer, A Century of Carnival Glass has over 400 full color photographs and 130 black & white illustrations on 256 pages. Many of the black and white illustrations are catalog and archive pages that will fascinate….and indeed will re-write sections of Carnival Glass history. There are discoveries and answers to many puzzles. There are patterns and shapes never seen before. 

Catalog pages, photos and a wealth of research reveal the full story of Carnival from its inspirations at the turn of the century, through its full blown beauty during the early years of 20th century America and on through its splendid flowering in other parts of the world through the 1920s and 1930s. The book goes on through the Late Carnival and Depression years and into the era of Contemporary Modern Carnival. As the new millennium dawns, the book takes a close look at Fenton, Northwood Art Glass, Summit, Boyd, Mosser and others. Photos and catalog pages cover the full span of carnival years right up to today’s beautiful Contemporary Glass.

The quantity of Carnival Glass produced by the European manufacturers is astonishing: almost 300 European patterns alone, are detailed and illustrated within this book. New information and insights on known and previously unknown Carnival manufacturers will intrigue and often surprise. A full review of Indian Carnival is presented, including an illustrated inventory of all currently known Indian tumblers (plus a few more besides!) The facts on South American production of Carnival are explored and some amazing discoveries are featured.

Within the sections on Europe, South America and India, all currently known patterns (according to our research) are listed alphabetically - almost every one is illustrated. Reported colors and shapes are itemized and value ranges (where possible) are given or speculated upon. Signature characteristics are also given for the European, South American and Indian Carnival Glass manufacturers - an invaluable aid for identification purposes.

The Carnival Century continues as Late Carnival is included and illustrated: Jeanette, Federal, Hocking and more. The beauty of Contemporary Modern Carnival is also fully covered and gloriously illustrated, with much information on both major and minor manufacturers and wholesalers. Fake Carnival is also included, with the aim of guiding and informing the reader. The three appendices include illustrations of the trademarks used on Contemporary carnival as well as a glossary of useful terms and definitions.

A CENTURY OF CARNIVAL GLASS has been many years in the preparation and has involved a number of study trips within mainland Europe and Scandinavia. We have had tremendous international co-operation in terms of research, information and offers of glass to photograph and study. The list of names in the Acknowledgements page is very long indeed! We are deeply grateful to all who have helped in so many ways.

Finally, a CENTURY OF CARNIVAL GLASS is a tribute to all those skilled and dedicated glass craftsmen from both the past and the present…..for giving so much beauty to the world.