Greentown Glass: Indiana Tumbler & Goblet Company
Greentown glass refers to the pressed glass produced by the Indiana Tumbler and Goblet Company in Greentown, Indiana, from 1894 to 1903. Despite its brief nine-year existence, the factory produced some of the most distinctive and collectible American pressed glass ever made, including the famous chocolate (caramel) glass, golden agate, holly amber, and Nile green colors. When the factory burned in 1903, production ceased permanently, making all Greentown glass finite in supply and actively sought by collectors.
History
- 1894: Indiana Tumbler and Goblet Company founded in Greentown, Indiana, as part of the Indiana gas belt glass boom
- 1894-1899: Initial production of clear and colored pressed glass tableware
- 1900: Jacob Rosenthal, formerly of Fenton, develops the revolutionary chocolate (caramel) glass formula
- 1901: Golden agate and holly amber colors introduced
- 1901-1903: Factory reaches peak production and innovation
- June 1903: Factory destroyed by fire; never rebuilt; all molds lost or damaged
Identification & Colors
| Color | Description | Rarity |
|---|---|---|
| Chocolate (caramel) | Opaque brown, streaked like caramel candy | High |
| Golden Agate | Chocolate glass with amber/gold streaking | Very high |
| Holly Amber | Golden glass with holly leaf pattern, greenish tint | Extremely high |
| Nile Green | Distinctive olive-green, slightly opaque | High |
| Teal Blue | Blue-green pressed glass | High |
| Clear | Colorless pressed glass | Common |
| Cobalt Blue | Deep blue pressed glass | Moderate |
Major Patterns
- Cactus: One of the most recognized Greentown patterns; produced in chocolate, clear, and colors
- Austrian: Elaborate pattern with ribbed and paneled motifs
- Leaf Bracket: Foliage pattern available in multiple colors
- Dewey: Patriotic pattern named for Admiral Dewey
- Herringbone Buttress: Geometric pattern, attractive in chocolate glass
- Holly Amber (Holly): The most valuable pattern, exclusively in golden amber with holly leaf motifs
- Animal covered dishes: Cat on hamper, rabbit, hen, dolphin forms -- highly collectible
Auction Price Ranges
| Item | Low | Mid | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clear pressed tumbler | $15 | $40 | $100 |
| Chocolate glass tumbler | $50 | $150 | $400 |
| Chocolate glass covered butter | $150 | $400 | $1,000 |
| Cactus pattern cruet, chocolate | $100 | $300 | $800 |
| Animal covered dish, chocolate | $200 | $600 | $2,500 |
| Golden agate piece | $300 | $1,000 | $5,000 |
| Holly amber piece | $400 | $1,500 | $8,000+ |
| Nile green piece | $75 | $250 | $800 |
Condition Factors
- Chips: Rim and base chips are common on pressed glass; even minor chips reduce value on rare colors
- Pattern sharpness: Crisp, well-defined pattern detail indicates production from fresh molds
- Color intensity: Rich, deep chocolate color commands premiums over pale or washed-out examples
- Repairs: Glued repairs and ground chips are not tolerated by serious collectors
- Mold lines: Expected on pressed glass; excessive or poorly finished mold lines indicate lower quality
Collecting Tips
- Chocolate glass is Greentown's most iconic product and commands strong prices across all forms
- Holly amber is the rarest and most valuable Greentown color; even small pieces bring substantial prices
- Animal covered dishes (especially the cat on hamper and the dolphin) are among the most sought-after forms
- Reproductions exist, particularly of chocolate glass; study the color, weight, and mold detail of authenticated examples
- The Greentown Glass Museum in Greentown, Indiana, is an essential resource for collectors
- Golden agate pieces are rare and often misidentified; authentic examples show characteristic amber streaking through the chocolate ground
- The finite supply (factory burned 1903) ensures long-term collector interest and value stability