Antique Tips

Vintage Madame Alexander Dolls

Madame Alexander dolls are a favorite of children and discerning collectors all over the world. The value of vintage Madame Alexander Wizard of Oz dolls depends upon the condition of the collectables and if they are still in the box. In perfect condition and still in the box, this set of antique dolls fetches several hundred dollars. Without boxes, but in mint condition, the Wizard of Oz collectable set might still bring $150-$300. Without boxes, and not in perfect condition, the dolls might sell in the $50 range. If you find a buyer who collects Madame Alexander, you may get more. Collectible items like vintage Beanie Babies, Smurfs or GI Joe toys are always collectible-and valuable- to the people that collect them.

History

In 1892 George F. Young founded the Roseville Pottery Company in Zanesville, Ohio. The first pieces of Roseville Potter were made in 1900 under the name, "Rozane" or "Rozane Ware." Rozane Ware had highly glossed browns and blues with hand-painted animals, Indians, nature scenes and portraits. This hardly resembles the image most modern day collectors associate with the classic "Roseville" look.

In the late teens and early 1920's Rozane Ware started a new line called Rosecraft. The patterns in this line included Black colors, Vintage, Blended and the much sought after Hexagon. Rosecraft is said to be the precursor of the distinctive style of the Roseville line.

In 1926 George Young's son, Russell T. Young, took over the company and with his sense of style and refined taste he gave birth to what is known as Roseville Pottery.

Identifying

Older pieces of Crackle Glass will show more wear marks on the bottom and inside where a stopper may have been. Shapes are more imperfect, may lean to one side slightly and feel bumps or variations in glass.

The fewer the cracks a piece has, the cheaper the piece of crackle would be.

Manufacturers of Crackle Glass

Some of the companies that produced Crackle Glass are: Blenko Glass Co., Pilgrim Glass Co., H.C. Fry Glass Co., Boston and Sandwich Glass Co., Hobbs, Bruckunier and Co., Cambridge Glass Co., Kanawha Glass Co. Some of these companies are still operating today making Crackle Glass.

History

Crackle Glass is known by other names: Craquelle Glass, Ice Glass and Overshot Glass. It was the Venetian Glass Makers of the 16th Century that invented this marvelous process. The glass was immersed in cold water while it was molten hot, thereby cracking the glass. The glass was then re-heated and either mold or hand-blown into the shape the glass blower desired. The re-heating of the glass would seal the cracks. If you run your hand over Crackle Glass, you can feel the cracks, but the inside would be smooth to touch. Glass makers today are still using this same method.