CAMBRIDGE GLASS COMPANY, Cambridge, Ohio (1902‑1958).
The Cambridge Glass Company was founded in 1900, when the National Glass Company signed a contract with the citizens of Cambridge, who offered a free site and a $30,000 bonus. The National Glass Company, which had been formed in 1893, but not finalized until 1899, claimed in 1901 to control the output of 21 factories, representing 70% of the producing capacity of table glassware, blown and pressed tumblers, and bar goods in this country. In fact, they had closed all but twelve of these factories, in an attempt to consolidate and make their operations more efficient. Rather than upgrading older plants, they embarked on building two large new factories, the Rochester Tumbler Company and the Cambridge Glass Company.
As a result, when Cambridge began producing glass in May 1902, they were one of the most modern and well‑designed plants in the world. Arthur J. Bennett was hired to manage the factory and was named president. They immediately issued a 140‑page catalog, which included "about everything that is made in table glass" (Crockery and Glass Journal, April 24, 1902), thus early establishing a reputation for a widely varied output. They also offered decorated ware right from the beginning, including gold decorations intended to compete with Bohemian imports.
Their most popular early patterns were their Nearcut lines of imitation pressed glass, though they also produced many of the colonial patterns that were so popular in the first decades of the twentieth century, as well as blown ware. They continued to expand their output, operating the Canton Glass Works of the National Glass Company for a brief period (and eventually acquiring their molds), which added druggist's ware and other utilitarian glassware to their line.
In 1907, a severe economic depression forced the already troubled National Glass Company into bankruptcy. Arthur Bennett was able to purchase the Cambridge plant and, through the rest of its existence it was operated as an independent factory. From 1911‑1917, they added lamps to their product line, after purchasing the Byesville Glass and Lamp Company in Byesville, Ohio.
In 1916, Cambridge introduced the first of their famous colors. In 1937, they inaugurated a national advertising campaign, ultimately establishing themselves as one of the best known glass companies in the world, rivaled only by Fostoria and Heisey for name recognition among consumers. During these years, their output was vast, including blown and pressed stemware and tableware, with etchings and cuttings among their most sought after offerings. Among their many patterns, some of the most popular included Cambridge Square, Caprice, Cascade, Everglade, Gadroon, Georgian, Heirloom, Martha Washington, Mount Vernon, Pristine, Statuesque, and Tally Ho.
In 1939, Arthur Bennett sold his controlling interest in the factory to W. L. Orme, his son‑in‑law, who continued to operate the factory until 1954. At that time, as happened with so many other American glass companies, the company was forced to close in the face of increasing foreign competition and growing costs for fuel and labor. Later that year, it reopened as a worker‑owned stock company, but only managed to stay in business for another four years, closing for good in 1958. In 1960, the Imperial Glass Company purchased the Cambridge name, etching plates, and molds, putting many of them back in production in Imperial's colors. Cambridge remains one of the most popular collectibles in glassware today. ? Adapted from The Glass Candlestick Book, volume 1, by Tom Felt, Rich & Elaine Stoer (reprinted with permission) |
