The story of the Riverside Glass Works began September 17, 1879 in Wellsburg, West Virginia, when the company was incorporated. Brought together with a common goal of innovation and quality were, John Dornan (formerly with the Buckeye Glass Company of Martins Ferry, Ohio), Charles N. Brady, Jabez E. Ratcliffe (both former employees of Hobbs Brockunier Glass Company of Wheeling, West Virginia), James Flannagan and Austin McGrail (Gorham, 1995; Caldwell, 1997).

Riverside was one of the unsung heros of the early pressed glass manufacturers. Most of you have probably heard of Northwood, Dugan, and Hobbs, but few of Riverside. Yet, Kamm (1948, Book 5) describes Riverside as one of the most prominent firms in the tableware business from 1888-1900.

Best known for their tableware and the famous "clinched-on-collar" oil lamps, Riverside is credited with 5 known patterns made in vaseline, or what they called "canary". An interesting twist in the Riverside vaseline story is, according the Cliff Gorham, author of "Riverside Glass Works" (1998 personal communication), not all 5 patterns were made at their Wellburg factory. One of the patterns, Ranson, was designed by Riverside, but the vaseline glass formula and pieces were made across the river at the Beaumont Glass Co. factory in Martins Ferry, Ohio. The pattern was basically turned over to Beaumont, but is still attributed to Riverside.

Heacock (1981) described the vaseline of Riverside very well in an article about the Petticoat pattern. He calls it a "...lucious shade of vaseline." Lucious is right! The purity and clarity of this delicate canary yellow is nothing less than outstanding.

In my personal option , they achieved the best possible combination of design and use of Riverside's exceptional vaseline formula in the pattern called "Derby" . Riverside introduced "Derby", aka "Riverside's Riverside", in 1897. With rave reviews in the trade journals of the day, the pattern was touted as the best example of imitation cut glass possible. "The combination is first class, the imitation of cut perfect" (China, Glass & Lamps; March 3, 1897). This was my first impression of the vaseline tumbler you see pictured here. Breathtaking quality with the brilliance of cut glass.

Derby was made in crystal, vaseline and vaseline with gold decoration. Pieces known include; creamer, sugar, spooner, butter, individual creamer, toothpick, water pitcher, celery, jelly compote, water goblet, tumbler, 8" master berry bowl (round), individual berry bowl (square), octagon 8" bowl, cruet, 5" 6" & 7" covered compote, 7.5" & 8.5" open compote, breakfast creamer & sugar (Gorham, 1995).

If you ever get an opportunity to see Riverside Derby, be sure to take it! Also, if you have some you would like to sell to a collector that will cherish it like she would a child, call me first!

Next to come along was Ranson, aka Gold Band, in June 1899. It is Ranson, not Ransom. Pictured is a covered butter dish. Produced in crystal, crystal w/gold, vaseline, vaseline w/gold, and green w/green. Pieces known include; creamer, sugar, spooner, butter, toothpick, water pitcher, s&p shakers, jelly compote, tumbler, 8" master berry bowl, , 7" master berry bowl, individual berry bowl, cruet, spoon/cruet tray (actually made from the Riverside Empress tray molds), breakfast creamer & sugar, covered mustard, and celery vase (Gorham, 1995).

Hot on the heals of Ranson, came "National" , better known as "Petticoat" today. Produced late in 1899, in crystal, vaseline and vaseline w/gold. There are no known catalog prints available to point at Riverside as the absolute designer of this pattern. However, there are strong indications that it was, as discussed by Heacock (1981) in his article about Petticoat.

Pictured here is an example of the Petticoat individual ice cream bowl. Known pieces include; creamer, sugar, spooner, butter, toothpick, water pitcher, s&p shakers, jelly compote, tumbler, 8" master berry bowl, 7" master berry bowl, individual berry bowl, cruet, spoon/cruet tray, breakfast creamer & sugar, covered mustard, syrup, mug, matchholder, 4 different hats, , 5" 6" & 7" covered compote, 5" 6" & 7" open compote, cake salver, and celery vase (Gorham, 1995).

The pattern called, "National Star" was introduced in 1900. This is a picture of a covered sugar bowl courtesy of Cliff Gorham from his book. The pattern was sold under the National Glass Company name, but attributed to the Riverside. National Star is a bit different because it was made in vaseline with ruby stain. It was also made in crystal w/gold and crystal w/ruby stain. Known pieces include; creamer, sugar, spooner, butter, water pitcher, tumbler, jelly compote, 7" & 8" master berry bowl, individual berry bowl (Gorham, 1995).

The pattern "Duchess", made in 1900, is also described as being made in canary. I have seen a Duchess lamp shade in opalescent canary, and the 4 piece table set is also sure to exist (Gorham 1998 personal communication) . Duchess in canary is extremely rare.

Croesus was one of the best known patterns produced by Riverside and later produced at McKee 1907-1917. Vaseline reproductions of the Croesus butter dish came out this year, 1998, in limited quantity, but these were not made from the original molds, are unmarked, and are of poor quality. Croesus was never made by Riverside or McKee in vaseline. The lack of quality and finials of these reroductions give them away to the experienced Croesus eye. I have a discussion of Croesus reproductions on my web page with Heacock's photo (Heacock 1981) comparing the finials of the original and reproductions (http://eapglass.hypermart.net/).

The American glass industry was in a state of change during the period around 1890-1907. Conglomerates were being formed in attempts to reduce costs and keep up with competition. Quality and innovation suffered as a result. As Kamm (1948, book 5) so aptly puts it, when Riverside merged with National glass in November 1899 "...its fate was sealed for this combine failed after 5 years of very insecure financial background, manipulated from Wall Street'". After the merger, information becomes sketchy, and it's this collector's opinion that the quality of Riverside's glass went downhill quickly. The last year of production in Wellsburg was 1907.

So many of these wonderful glass companies of the time met with a similar fate as that of Riverside. Part of the beauty and fascination of this very old glass is knowing the history and personalities behind the companies. Not a day goes by that I don't look at my Riverside collection with wonder and admiration for the hearts and souls behind the design, manufacturing and decorating of these lovely pieces. Cherish your old vaseline for it is rare and carries with it the blood, sweat, and tears of the great glass masters of the past. Riverside deserves a prominent place among the masters of early vaseline glass.

References:

Caldwell, Nancy L.. Brooke High School web page. Oct 1997. Early Glass Houses of Brooke County. URL http://168.216.219.18/brk-hist/glass.htm

China, Glass & Lamps, March 3, 1897. Trade Journal.

Gorham, C. W. 1995. Riverside Glass Works. Heartlights, P.O. Box 2962, Springfield, MO 65801. 

Heacock, W. 1981. Old Pattern Glass According to Heacock. Antique Publications, PO Box 655, Marietta, Ohio 45750.