Fire-King Glassware

Originally produced in the 1940's, Fire-King Glassware products have graced dining room tables for years. Although these pieces are relatively common, the brand name is a collectible among those who seek out these products today. They're not considered antique products but vintage or retro due to their age.

A common favorite collectible among vintage connoisseur is Fire-King glassware. Fire-King is an Anchor Hocking brand of kitchenware similar to today's commonly known Pyrex. Despite what many people believe, Fire-King was not a company in its own. Anchor Hocking Glass Corporation owned Fire-King in itself. The Hocking Glass Company was founded in 1905 by Isaac Jacob Collins. The company merged with AnchorCap and Closure Corporations in 1937. Anchor Hocking was primarily located in Lancaster, Ohio as seen on the common stamp raised on the bottom of some pieces. 

Now let's get scientific--this glassware was created from 'borosilicate glass'. Glass-forming constituents, silica and boron oxide have low coefficients of thermal expansion and resist to thermal shock. To say this simply, we have what is called 'heat-resistant' glassware. Although these pieces are great for oven use, they simply cannot be cleaned in any other way but by hand. Heat and chemical products seemingly ruin the luster finish. Borosilicate glass is the most common glass used for cooking and is also seen in other products used today outside of the kitchen such as aquarium thermometers and high-quality flashlight lenses. Otto Schott developed this rather scientific kitchenware in the late nineteenth century and was sold under the name 'Duran' in 1893 and later, Corning Glassware picked up the material. After Corning Glassware introduced 'Pyrex', the name became a synonym for borosilicate glass in the English speaking world. Pyrex is still created to this day.

Let's get back to basics--Fire-King products were again, produced in the mid 1900's and given away for free in bags of flour or sold at gas stations, grocery stores, and hardware stores. These products were not quite a decorative object as they were an everyday use. They were common in households.

Nesting bowls, dessert bowls, glass beverage containers, casserole dishes, mugs, and more pieces can be seen made by Anchor Hocking Company for Fire-King. Variations of patterns and colors were created and today, as with depression glass (mentioned in my last post), have different rarity. Along with the products, color also varies from their famous 'rose-ite' color, to turquoise blue! Collectors can find 'azur-ite', a pale light blue, white, ivory, pastel green, pastel blue, pastel peach, pastel yellow, primary orange, primary blue, primary yellow, and primary green. Found in a fired on Lustre color finish is gray, white, and peach. Outside of gray, white, peach, rose-ite, turquoise blue, azur-ite, white, and ivory, other colors were actually fired-on coatings over crystal.  

In fact, Martha Steward popularized the 'Jade-ite Restaurantware' on her television show in the early 2000's. Due to popular demand, 'Fire-King 2000' was brought back in the classic jade-colored favorite. The raised stamp on the bottom of the newer pieces will of course be different than the vintage pieces.These products are not made of the the same classic molds, newer molds were used.

In regards to the stamp on the bottom of each piece, the lettering is made of raised glass. Depending on the time period or the piece, a stamp may be backwards or upside down. This is absolutely a tad unusual but absolutely not a rare mistake. Some Fire-King logos were intended to read looking down through the glass. When such a mold was used with an opaque slag, such as white, ivory, or jadeite, the backwards logo made more sense. If you are looking at this blog to get information about a piece you have, flip the piece over and take a glance at the stamp. Do you see numbering on the stamp? If so, you may be looking at the plant number. For example, Plant '44' is located in Monaca, Pennsylvania. Interesting, right?

To find a piece in perfect condition with no chips or cracks is certainly a rarity and if you do come across a piece, please pick it up! I hope today's blog left you with a better appreciation of the history of these pieces. Next time you see a piece from Anchor Hocking's Fire-King Collection, check it out.

Farber Brothers Krome-Kraft

Farber Brothers Krome-Kraft, yes about that. When I first laid eyes on Krome Kraft, I thought to myself, 'that's a bit tacky.' But I'll be the first one to admit, my goodness did I fall in love with these pieces!

A bit of history on Farber Brothers Krome Kraft, well let me begin by saying brother's Louis and Harry Farber were born in Europe in the late 19th century, specifically in Russia. They immigrated to none other than the United States of America just after the turn of the 20th century.

Louis and Harry began working for S. W. Farber, their older brother. S. W Farber sold products under the name Farberware which is a common name in kitchenware even up to today! In 1915, they formed their own company under the name Farber Brothers 'Krome-Kraft'. Despite what many people, shoppers in particular believe, Farberware and Farber Brothers are synonymous. There is absolutely no relation between the two companies.

Deciding to make hollow-ware and brass products, Louis and Harry decided they could sell their products at competitive prices. This business concept was successful for give or take fifty years! The well known 'clip-on, clip-off holder' was patented in 1932, as seen in photographs in my Etsy store. The intention was that if the glass insert broke, the stand that held the china would be held on to and the piece would be inexpensively replaced.

The 1950's came and went. Unfortunately, the chrome holders went out of style and brass versions were created at a cheaper prices. By the mid-1960's, sales continued to decline and the company shut down operations. In 2011, this leaves us with a legacy imprinted on our minds. Due to the fact that these pieces are discontinued, they are terribly hard to come by! You will either find the glass insert or the 'Krome-Kraft' metal stand. Rarely does one come across the two pieces in perfect condition. Today, we can find this stemware and barware in many variations. These variations include cocktail, beer, and wine glasses, cordials, tumblers, decanters, ice pails, pitchers, decanters, and juice jugs. One can even find 'Krome-Kraft' in salt and pepper shakers and oil and vinegar kitchenware.

As with depression glass, 'Krome-Kraft' has rarity depending on color. Colors included amber, amethyst, green, royal blue, crystal white, ebony, milk white, pistachio, emerald, red, and others. Most commonly found would be amethyst and amber, which are variations of purple and orange. Ebony, or black seems to be the rarest with blue and red. Regardless, any piece is truly a treasure to come across. People collect these pieces and the majority of which are in hutches and china cabinets tucked away.

Farber Brothers 'Krome-Kraft' continues to attract collectors' attention today. For a collector to come across these pieces creates a good day. For a person who appreciates non-tarnishing chrome, silver, or brass style holders and glass or china inserts, the Farber Brothers name should be recognized.