Sandwich Glass: A Technical Book for Collectors

Written in 1922 when original Sandwich glass was still within living memory of the craftsmen who made it, this book represents a pivotal moment in American decorative arts collecting. Williams, writing from inside the collecting community as it first took shape, provides what no later work can: firsthand knowledge of pieces that had not yet been extensively reproduced or counterfeited. She catalogs 186 specimens, from delicate cup plates to candlesticks, explaining not just what to look for but why certain pieces matter. The book functions as both historical document and practical guide: readers learn how the Sandwich Glass Company operated, which molds were used, and how to distinguish authentic early-19th-century work from the commercial glass that followed. What makes this volume enduring is its dual perspective. Williams was both scholar and enthusiast, able to discuss the technical arc of flame-working and pressed glass production while still conveying the genuine beauty that drove collectors to seek these pieces. For anyone studying American glass, 19th-century industry, or the emergence of antiques as a cultural phenomenon, this remains essential reading.