What is Goofus Glass?
Goofus glass by another
name would be pressed or mold-blown glass with cold painted (not fired on in a
furnace) decoration. That’s quite a mouthful, so collectors simply prefer
Goofus when referring to this type of glass.
Many of the Goofus patterns feature flowers and fruit, among
other motifs, raised out of the surrounding glass as seen in vases, powder
boxes and lamps. The pattern could also be pressed into the glass from beneath
the surface providing an intaglio effect
as found in Goofus plates, baskets and candy dishes.
Goofus glass found its way into homes very often as carnival
prizes making it the original carnival glass. But it’s also reported that this
glassware was freely given away as premiums by gas
stations, cinemas, jewelers and other merchants.
Why Should I be Concerned
About the Cold Painting? Because
the cold painted décor flakes off easily, it’s quite difficult to find a piece
of Goofus glass in perfect condition whether the paint was applied to the
outside or the inside of a piece. Some glass is even void of paint altogether.
The earliest pieces of Goofus glass were reportedly undecorated. With others,
the worn paint became so unsightly it was washed away by the original or
subsequent owners.
The paint on Goofus glass pieces is usually gold mixed with red
and/or green. An early nickname for the glass was “Mexican ware,” possibly due
to the semblance of the Mexican flag with the red and green coloration. Other
color variations can be found but not nearly as often, and gold is always
prevalent. Generally, the glass beneath the cold paint is clear, but milk glass and
other colored pieces can also be found leading to speculation that secondary
decorating houses may have applied the paint rather than the original manufacturers.
Why is it Called Goofus?
There are a number of
theories on how Goofus glass got its name, according to the Goofus Glass
Museum’s online resources. Many people believe the first users of Goofus
noticed how easily the painted decoration on this glass wore away and felt like
they were being “goofed” or fooled. Others think it was because it was “goofy
glass” given away at carnivals. There is, however, no definitive answer about
how this collectible glass got its name.
Although there isn’t much
historical reference material available on this type of glass, it’s interesting
to note that Goofus glass was originally marketed by such exotic names as
“Egyptian Art,” “Golden Oriental” and “Intaglio Art,” according to an article
by David Ballentine for the Glass Encyclopedia linked below.
When was it Made and by
Which Companies?
Historians have had a
hard time nailing down the exact time frame for Goofus glass production due to
the lack of documentation by the original manufacturers, but 1897 through the
early 1920s seems to be a good estimate based on current research.
Goofus glass was made by a number of noteworthy glass companies,
but the most prolific manufacturers were the Northwood, Dugan, Jefferson, and Indiana glass
companies. Northwood and Dugan made Goofus glass prior to beginning production
of their more well-known Carnival glass pieces
in 1908.
What are Goofus
Collectors Looking for Today?
Collectors pay more to
own pieces made for special occasions or to commemorate a World’s Fair or
another event than other nondescript pieces. They also look for complete sets
such as a large berry bowl with matching smaller bowls. The holy grail of the
Goofus collector, however, could very well be an oil lamp complete with glass
shade and matching base. Of course, Goofus glass in all shapes and forms in
great condition with very little paint wear will bring a much better price than
a piece with considerable paint loss.
It’s also important to
note that collectors frown upon repainting Goofus glass. This is another case
in the vast world of antiques where restoration will diminish the value of a
piece entirely rather than enhancing it. If the paint is almost worn off a
piece of Goofus glass and you find it to be unsightly, it’s better to remove it
entirely rather than trying to repaint it.
How Should I Care for
Goofus Glass?
To avoid additional paint loss, handle Goofus glass as little as
possible. Clean only the clear glass side of your pieces by wiping them
carefully with a damp cloth to avoid washing away additional paint. Never put
Goofus pieces in the dishwasher unless the glass is already completely void of
paint, and even then sparingly to avoid glass sickness. Lastly, don’t store
your glass in attics or other storage facilities subject to temperature
extremes or risk having the paint becoming even more brittle and easy to chip
away.
How can I Learn More
About Goofus Glass?
Only one book exists in
this collecting genre, Goofus
Glass by
Carolyn McKinley. Copies of this title published in 1984 can be fairly pricey
and hard to come by, and it’s reported to be limited in the information it
imparts.
You can, however, find
out more through the Goofus Glass Museum.
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