Antiques & Collecting: Identifying glass

Glass can be notoriously difficult to identify. Signatures, if there are any, can be faked, molds can be reused, and glassmakers often imitated one another’s decorations. Stiegel-type glass is an excellent example.

We know that Henry William Stiegel came to Philadelphia from Germany in 1750. We know he had a glasshouse in Manheim, Pennsylvania, from 1763 to 1774. Confirming that a piece of glass came from his glasshouse is nearly impossible.

To begin with, the glass he made was similar to what was made in Germany at the time: thin-walled, mold-blown glass decorated with enamel or engraving.

The same type of glass was made by other American glassmakers and imported from Europe. In the 20th century, copies were made as giftware.

To further complicate matters, some collectors doubt that Stiegel actually made any multicolored enamel glass, like this cologne bottle that sold at the Conestoga Auction Company Division of Hess Auction Group for $312. The auction described it as “Stiegel-type” instead of attributing it to Stiegel or any other glassmaker.

I have a very old microscope that is beautiful, and it still works. It has been in my family for at least 100 years. I would like to sell it and I am not sure how to proceed. It has a French inscription reading “C. Verick, eleve special de E. Hartnack, rue de la Pax cheminerie 2 Paris.”

Your microscope was made by Constant Verick, who lived from 1829 to 1892. He worked for Edmund Hartnack before starting his own business in 1866. Both Verick and Hartnack were highly regarded microscope makers in the 1860s and ‘70s.

Antique microscopes with a known maker can sell for about $250 to $500 at general antiques auctions. Usually, the more information, such as maker and date, the higher the value. The original box, slides and other “extras” also increase the value.

If there are any antique shops or auction houses in your area, check to see if they sell microscopes or related antiques like binoculars, scientific instruments or medical equipment.

You can search online or check ads in antiques publications for collectors or clubs specializing in antique microscopes or scientific or optical tools. You can also check medical supply companies; some of them also deal in antique equipment.

Tip: Shallow nicks and rough edges on glass can sometimes be smoothed off with fine emery paper.

Current Prices

Toy, top, spinning, Marvel Super Heroes, Secret Wars, hero and villain, pull strap, on card, Fleetwood Toys, 1984, 10 1/2 inches, $35.

Poster, Maine Steamship Company, black and white print, steamship John Englis on water, frame, 33 x 47 inches, $155.

Rug, Turkish, flatweave, red field, allover multicolor squares, geometric motifs, braided fringe, wool, 20th century, 14 feet 10 inches x 6 feet 2 inches, $1,095.

Music, guitar, acoustic, Sunburst, KG-11, Kalamazoo, Gibson, chip board case, 1933-43, 39 inches, $1,250.