The convention opened in the afternoon with a rededication of the museum’s educational exhibit, which serves as a repository of many rare pieces of early American pattern glass and displays items in a manner to educate collectors about this Indiana treasure. But the main highlight of the annual meeting was the Friday night auction, which for the past few years has drawn collector’s from around the country to this small town for an evening of excitement to see who will be the new owner of the auctions featured items.

The auction began with a rare canary Cord Drapery compote. This Greentown pattern is found in several of the colors produced at the factory; however, this compote is the only one of about a dozen individual pieces of canary glass pressed in this line. It sold for $925, well over its recorded book value.

The auction was highlighted by several other Greentown rarities. A crystal corn vase, which had not been seen at a Greentown Glass auction for many years, brought $1,450 while a Nile Green Sheaf of Wheat and crystal Picture Frame toothpick sold for $900 and $600 respectively. Novelty items included a canary dustpan going home for $550.

A variation color of a Nile Green Dewey serpentine tray, one of only two known and a translucent variation of the Greentown original color, was able to attract $900. A crystal water pitcher and wine glass set in the Pleat Band pattern and etched with the name Emma on the side sold for $500, and a crystal Beaded Panel milk pitcher fetched the same price.

Also in strong supply this year were two categories of Greentown treasures, Holly Amber and animal dishes. Holly Amber also known as Holly Golden Agate is the only early American pattern glass to be recognized as Art Glass. This rare pattern/color combination was only produced at the factory for six months before the fire, and it has not been produced since other than several attempts to reproduce this amazing color. Items for sale this year included a covered compote in pristine condition reaching $900; salt shaker, $500; master berry bowl, $750; butter dish, $950, and a crystal square plate in the pattern also was able to bring $850.

The animal dishes offered at the auction started off with a crystal Bird with Berry selling for $400 and was followed by dishes available in five other Greentown colors: teal blue hen,$250; amber rabbit, $250; teal blue rabbit, $375; amber beaded rim dolphin, $750; chocolate hen, $425; emerald green rabbit, $190; red agate dolphin, $500, and teal blue fighting cocks, $2,000. While the teal blue fighting cocks seemed to fetch an extraordinary price, it was in no comparison to the chocolate example, which highlighted the auction and realized a price of $5,800. A complete listing of all prices realized may be found on the club’s website.

Contact: www.greentownglass.org