Customer Reviews

Florence's Glassware Pattern Identification Guide

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Gene Florence has done it again - produced an indispensible reference book for collectors of glassware from the 1920s through the 1960s. There must be close to 500 photos in this book, all of which are beautifully lit, allowing one a close-up look at the various patterns.

Patterns are identified by name, the company who produced it, the years it was produced, colors in which it was available, and the number of items found within the pattern. The book is complete enough to be used by dealers as well as novice collectors, and is light enough to put in your bag when you're out at auctions or antique shops. The lack of a pricing guide is not at all a problem, since most reference works with same have had them invalidated by the impact of online auctions on collecting anyway. If you're thinking of buying this book, don't hesitate, it's well worth the investment!

This is a wonderful book! Color photos are close up and detailed for those like me who have trouble identifying a piece from black and white small photos! Great information as to number of pieces produced, etc. A must have!

BEAUTIFUL BOOK WITH VERY GOOD PHOTOGRAPHY. UNFORTUNATELY THEIR IS NO PRICE GUIDE THEREFORE YOU MUST DO FURTHER RESEARCH ONCE YOU FIND YOUR PATTERN. I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK FOR THE NOVICE COLLECTOR LIKE MYSELF. I WOULD DEFINITELY BUY AGAIN!!

This book is as advertised, an identification book. Wonderful photography assists in identifying glassware of era's gone by. In addition, patterns are easy to define for matching purposes, with a small guide alongside each picture which provides the manufacturer name, pattern name, colors, and years the item was made.

The index is well thought out and very easy to use for a quick reference to particular patterns or manufacturers. Perfect addition to any glassware reference library.

The earlier volumes have the more common patterns, title should reflect this. I, like others, have never seen more than a couple of these pieces. A good book otherwise, though would have liked to know which items are available in each pattern instead of just the number of items in each. It is difficult to determine if you would like to collect a certain pattern otherwise. Book seems to hint that more information is known, but just not included. In nearly all cases, the pictures are excellent. Index includes previous volumes, a great help.

The book was very helpful, great photos, nicely laid out. Buyers should definately know, however, that it is a book of more rare pieces.

Gene Florence has let true glass collectors down with this book. With so many etch patterns to identify, he chooses instead to cover more obscure things like Cathay Crystal. I did not solve one glass mystery with this book and wish I had saved my money. Also, again, he chose to completely ignore Maryland Glass. Although a fan, I cannot let this one slide. Save your money and don't bother with this one.

I really enjoyed looking through this book. The pictures and pieces are wonderful. I am glad they didn't bother with the price guide in this book. The prices change, the markets vary, etc. They just focused on representing various pieces with great pictures for identification. Thank you to Gene and Cathy Florence!

Large clear color photographs make pattern identification easy. Each page includes information such as pattern name, company, dates of production, colors, and number of items in the line. The Florences also indicate the cutting or etching patterns, which are often hard to identify, with photos large enough for the etchings to be seen. I turn to this one often; it's been invaluable in identifying some of my more obscure patterns. This is a must book for glassware collectors!

This book is a little large to be carrying around, however I still do carry it to places that I already know will have the pattern I am looking for.
The forward describes "Elegant" glassware as handmade and acid etched glassware that was sold by department and jewelry stores during the Depression era through the 1950's, differentiating it from the dime store and giveaway glass that has become known as Depression glass. The word "Elegant" has become "official" nomenclature among today's dealers for designating handmade glass.
It is well organized with the glass patterns in alphabetical order and the prices in columns by color of glass. Most of the pictures are color and have good enough definition to identify what you are looking at. There are a contents by pattern and a contents by company.