Fostoria Glassware – Elegant Glassware for Collectors

Fostoria glassware is categorized often as elegant glassware, mainly because of its high quality and historical aspects. Fostoria glassware were produced by Fostoria during the depression era. The Fostoria Glass Company produced pressed, blown and hand-molded glassware and tableware for over 80 years, beginning its operations in Fostoria (Ohio, USA) on 1887. Later the company moved to Moundsville, West Virginia in 1891.

The company produced over 8 million pieces of crystal and glass in 1950, which was the production peak for the company. Their marketing campaign also expanded then and included nice boutiques and beautiful display rooms with jewelry. They also published their own consumer direct magazine called “Creating with Crystal” back then.

Unlike most firms back then, Fostoria glassware was sold through sales representatives who were selling exclusively Fostoria glassware, creating a closed system. The company wanted to choose the stores that could sell their products and made sure that the salesmen know everything about Fostoria products.

Fostoria glassware was really popular in the 60s and the American consumers bought millions of pieces of glass every year, and among the customers were also a few noteworthy people such as presidents Richard Nixon and Lyndon B Johnson who wanted to have exclusive ashtrays made of glass that had their signatures engraved.

During the later decades foreign competition became more intense and Fostoria’s factory was sold to Lancaster Colony Corporation, and by 1986 Lancaster Colony closed the factory, selling the remaining stock to customers directly.

Fostoria Glassware Collectors


Nowadays Fostoria glassware (stemware and dinnerware) are very popular among collectors, and the colored pieces are regarded more valuable than clear ones of the same pattern. There are also vintage collectors who prefer whole sets in one color, and these kinds of sets can be worth thousands of dollars, if the set is a popular one (one of the most popular lines was called the “American”, started in 1915).

The collectors who prefer dinnerware and stems on the delicate side are usually seeking patterns that are most well-known, such as June, Navarre, Versailles, Vernon, Chintz and Romance among others.

Some collectors focus on specific Fostoria pieces such as vases, stemware or candlesticks and try to get many different colors of these pieces to get a variety of colors for a diverse and unique collection. There can also be found specific books that are dedicate to the focused collection, which describes quite well how important this niche is for collectors.

Fostoria Collecting Clubs

There are lots of dedicated collectors who belong to Fostoria collecting clubs, for example Fostoria Glass Collectors Inc. and Fostoria Glass Society of America. The clubs offer educational events, shows, newsletters and ma y other interesting resources through their internet sites. They are definitely a great way to find other fellow glassware collectors around the country.

Some other collectors gather to smaller local glass collecting organizations and clubs that give a nice opportunity to meet other collectors that live nearby. Check out the links below to find some Fostoria glassware collecting clubs.

Fostoria Glassware Collecting Clubs

Fostoria Glass Society of America
Fostoria Glass Collectors, Inc.
National Depression Glass Association

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