“Cat Tails & Fern” pattern goblet, c.1880

This EAPG (Early American Pattern Glass) goblet was made between 1880 and 1890 in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia by Richards & Hartley Flint Glass Co. EAPG, strictly an American invention, was manufactured throughout the US during the Victorian period, from 1850 to 1910. It is estimated that there are upward of 3,000 different patterns, although closer to 1,000 patterns were most commonly used. This goblet, in the Cat Tails & Fern pattern, measures 6″ high and has a visible 3-mold mark.

After the base snapped off, I am assuming sometime in the early 1900s, an itinerate mender or perhaps the original owner attached a 6-sided brass sleeve to hold the two broken pieces back together. This subtle yet effective quick-fix repair did the trick to make the drinking vessel function again. I like the addition of the tiny red gummed label on the bottom with a cryptic “9999” written in cursive ink, the meaning known only to the original scribe.

This goblet with the same pattern is one of 1,100 donated to the Shelburne Museum in Shelburne, Vermont, by Dr. Elizabeth Garrison in 1987.

fern goblet

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3 Responses to ““Cat Tails & Fern” pattern goblet, c.1880”

  1. Nancy Welch says:

    Lovely post, and such a beautifully rendered repair. The tag seals the deal, for me. Thanks much – a grand Thanksgiving gift!

  2. imogen88 says:

    Amazing, a whole set of those would look impressive, even. Always great posts! Thank you!

  3. Alan Whitehouse says:

    The label has ‘9999 sil’ indicating I think that the silversmith has used pure silver for the repair, instead of the more normal sterling (.925) or lower grade (often .900 or lower). The reason is that pure silver is softer and can be burnished into shape easily, here, holding the two parts of the stem. Pure silver is used by jewellers as a setting to ‘rub over’ stones – much easier & neater than .925!

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