FLOWER MOUND, Texas — New England Plated Amberina is among the rarest of of the glass prized by American Victorian glass collectors. When it was first produced, the public did not embrace Plated Amberina and the line simply did not sell well resulting in a short production time and a very limited supply. The glass was also prone to breakage. Plated Amberina has a cased air-trap layer that breaks easily. Over time many pieces have not survived. “Today, you can count on one hand the number of Plated Amberina pieces that may come up for sale in a year,” said Bruce Orr of Jaremos Art Glass Specialists. Plated Amberina made its debut in June of 1886 when it was introduced by the New England Glass Co., most likely in response to the popularity of Hobbs Brockunier’s highly successful line “Coral”, known today as Wheeling Peachblow. Today, the two are sometimes confused. This year will bring unprecedented opportunity to those who have not yet been able to acquire a piece of rare Plated Amberina glass. Jaremos in one of two auction houses in the world that will have the honor of selling the collection of the late Jerry Black, a well-known collector of this glassware. “With Jerry’s passing last year the world not only lost an exemplary collector but also a wealth of knowledge making this event bittersweet,” Orr said. Black once said, “I am only the custodian of this glass not the owner.” He would be happy to see his glass find a new home with a collector that loves the glass as much as he did. Jaremos Auction’s Feb. 20-21 event will offer 3 examples of Plated Amberina from the Jerry Black estate along with other Victorian and Art Nouveau glass as well as items from the collection of Jan Nolan, of Morgantown, W.Va. Contact: (630) 248-7785, www.jaremos.com |