Carnival Glass was “born” in the USA in 1907 at the Fenton factory; within a few years it was being produced by other makers such as Northwood, Imperial, Dugan and Millersburg, Cambridge and Westmoreland.

Although originally marketed as low cost functional glassware aimed at the mass market, the inherent beauty of the glass turned it into a popular collectible from around the 1950s and 1960s.

Today Carnival Glass is a much sought-after, bona fide antique, having reached its centenary in 2007.

The group of Classic American Carnival Glass shows, from the left: purple Amaryllis comport (Dugan), green Rustic vase (Fenton), amber Ripple vase (Imperial), amethyst Peacock sauce (Millersburg) and purple Basket of Roses bonbon (Northwood).

Fenton

Acknowledged as the first USA producer of Carnival Glass in 1907, Fenton are also credited with the first known ad for Carnival in 1908 (a “Golden Sunset Assortment” in the Butler Brothers September issue of that year).

Fenton’s Carnival Glass was made in a wide variety of colours, shapes and patterns until the late 1920s. In the 70s Fenton began to make Carnival again, often using their original moulds (but clearly trade-marking the re-issues). The company, founded by Frank Lesley Fenton, is still in business today.

This is a blue Fentonia covered butter - a classic Fenton pattern.

Northwood

Headed up by Harry Northwood (an Englishman trained in the glass making industry of Stourbridge) this factory produced top notch Carnival until around 1919 when Harry died.

Northwood’s Carnival is typified by splendid, sought after colours (such as aqua opal) and iconic designs (like the Peacocks and the Town Pump).

On the left is an absolutely stunning Northwood's Peacocks plate in pastel marigold.

Imperial

Known for their splendid intaglio designs and rich iridescence, Imperial produced Carnival Glass over two full decades from around 1910.

Like Fenton, they also began to re-issue some of their early Carnival items in the 1960s and 70s, as well as adding further shapes to their repertoire. After several changes of ownership the company finally folded in 1985.

Pictured, left is a purple Open Rose plate by Imperial, showing their typical high quality design and iridescence.

Dugan-Diamond

Originally headed up by Thomas Dugan (cousin to Harry Northwood) this factory changed from the Dugan name in 1913, to become Diamond Glass-Ware (until its demise in 1931). Carnival was produced over several decades, right through to the final years of the company. Their output ranges from breathtaking showstoppers such as the Farmyard bowl, to ubiquitous and familiar patterns such as Double Stem Rose and Cosmos Variant.

This is a "squatty" Lined Lattice vase in peach opal by Dugan.

Short-lived and still shrouded in shreds of mystery, Millersburg was the brain-child of John Fenton (brother of Frank Fenton). Located away from the other main centres of Carnival production, Millersburg was in the heart of Amish country. Its production is typified by its “Radium” iridescence (a mirror-like effect) and iconic pieces such as the Peoples’ Vase.

The company filed for bankruptcy in 1911 and closed the following year.

Millersburg made several "lettered pieces" like this blue Bernheimer Brothers bowl shown on the left.

Westmoreland, United States Glass and Cambridge also made Carnival Glass, albeit in smaller amounts than the other producers (which are often called the "Big Five").

The tumblers shown are (left to right): marigold Palm Beach, United States Glass; purple Inverted Strawberry, Cambridge; marigold Rising Sun, United States Glass.