The mysteries of pattern glass are always intriguing. When we have the opportunity to unravel long-time enigmas there is great joy among collectors and researchers alike. New information about early American pattern glass is a very rare commodity, so when found, it's truly exciting.

Recently, an original catalog from the Riverside Glass Works factory of Wellsburg, West Virginia, 1879-1907, surfaced. Contained within, was some of the most exciting fresh information seen in a long time about early patterns made by this company.

LILLIE LANGTRY

One pattern in particular has baffled collectors and researchers since the early days of pattern glass study. The "Lillie Langtry" pattern, made by Riverside Glass Works around 1883, was extremely popular at the time. Yet, contemporary collectors had no idea what it looked like, since pictures had never been found for definitive identification. There hasn't even been a description found of the pattern, only a name. We know when it was made and that it was produced in great abundance. Trade journal articles¹ of the day reported news of Riverside leasing the Brilliant Glass Works factory in order to fulfill the great demand. How was it possible for this extremely popular pattern to have remained such a mystery? We feel we now know.

The popular English actress, Lillie Langtry, was sweeping the world social scene with her exceptional beauty, intelligence and wit. Known equally as well as "The Jersey Lily", Mrs. Langtry led an extraordinary life for a Victorian woman. Men around the world clamored for her attention and woman struggled to imitate her. She had the world captivated and everyone wanted to own anything connected with her. Anyone with roots in West Texas, or has seen the tongue in cheek movie, "The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean, or has listened to the song, Lillie Langtry by the Christie Minstrels, understands the impact she made in America. She continues to have a following today (see a web site devoted to her at: http://www.lillieLangtry.com).

Early glass researchers speculated that Riverside's "Lillie Langtry" was the "Actress" pattern. However, since she is not pictured among the many portraits found on the glassware, it can be assumed now that it is not the Langtry pattern. In addition, Jane Shadel Spillman identified and provided a strong case for the "Actress" pattern being made by the Adams Company in Pittsburgh. (See The Glass Club Bulletin, Winter 90/91).

Gorham (1995)² speculated in his book about Riverside glass, that the "Leaf Rosette" pattern might be Lillie Langtry, based upon the image of a woman found on the finial of lidded pieces. He asserts that Lily was always wearing pearls in pictures. Since the woman found on the Leaf Rosette pattern is wearing pearls, this would support his theory. However, we have noticed Lily is often without a necklace in pictures and, if wearing one, it is often not pearls. Leaf Rosette is a difficult pattern to find. This made us question this attribution considering the known high volume of production of Lillie Langtry. One would think it fairly common.

The newly found Riverside Glass Works catalog provides us with what we feel is finally the answer to the Langtry mystery. Under the name of "Jersey Lily Ware" is pictured a well known, unattributed pattern called, "Center Medallion" (aka "Lacy Valance" or "Persian Shawl"). Knowing that Lillie Langtry was just as well known as "The Jersey Lily", this must be the illusive Lillie Langtry pattern known to be Riverside's. The trade journals understandably referred to the pattern by the name of "Lillie Langtry" in error, when the actual original makers name was "Jersey Lily Ware". This would be an easy mistake since the names were both used readily. I could imagine Riverside using the names interchangeably as well considering the notoriety of Mrs. Lantry.

With this new information, it is easy to see why this pattern has been so illusive on it's own characteristics. There is no image whatsoever of the Jersey Lily in the pattern. Collectors assumed it would have Lillie's image and were understandably looking for a pattern like Actress or Leaf Rosette. It carried her celebrity in name only, which apparently was all it needed to be successful. It is an elegant design with an ornate medallion draped down across the top of lidded pieces and running up the sides of the bowls from their bases. The intricate pattern of the medallion is found on handles and in the wide rims of butter dishes. The quality is not that typically associated with Riverside. The glass is not as clear as some of the other patterns made around the same time and the pieces are not well finished. Most likely the pattern was made quickly and inexpensively for the mass market and to meet demand. It was made in clear and amber, but possibly an electric blue as well, since other patterns made at the same time came in the blue. The clear is fairly common, while colors are rare. Pieces are found with or without copper wheel engravings of a combination pattern of ferns, reeds and single rounded leaves. The finials of on the lids were an early clue that the pattern was probably made by Riverside, since they are identical in shape to those on "Derby" and "Bar and Flute" patterns, which came later in time.

So why didn't Riverside put the image of the "Jersey Lily" on this pattern? For now, we can only speculate. Maybe they could not do justice to this famous beauty in glass? Maybe they were unable to get permission to do so? We may never know.