Treasure Chest Thursday: Other Heirloom or Vintage Glass Ornaments

We have WAY more Christmas tree ornaments now than we will ever need, given that we don't put up a large tree any more, and also inherited a number of ornaments from my parents.  So I thought I would write about the stories behind a few of the more interesting ones.

The ones I'm writing about today are other heirloom and vintage glass ornaments that are either not Inge-Glas and Old World Christmas ornaments, or could not be verified to be those brands.   Some I bought, and some inherited from my parents. 

This first one fall into that latter category, as Mom and Dad gave it to me in 2012.  It says "West Germany" on the top of the hanger, so that would date this Glocken (bell) to before the 3 October 1990 reunification of Germany.  I found one via Google Lens described as vintage hand-painted blown mercury glass, champagne-colored with gold, green and brown leaves and gold glitter accents.  It measures about 3 inches by 1.75 inches.  The next three pictures show the complete design around the bell, which also has a bell-like indentation on the underside.

This heart ornament was also given to me by my parents in 2012.  Embossed in the hanger top is "Czechoslovakia," so it dates to 1992 or earlier (The Czech Republic was formed 1 January 1993).

This snowman ornament was received in 2012 from Mom and Dad.  The hanger top is embossed "Czech Republic," which dates it to 1993 or later.

The next three ornaments, a Santa and two Christmas trees, were also given to me by my parents in 2012.  I found trees via Google Lens similar to these two described as mercury glass, which is also known as silvered glass.  True mercury glass is free-blown double-walled, then silvered between the layers with solution containing silver nitrate and other materials, and sealed. It was produced originally around 1840 until at least 1930 in Bohemia (later Czechoslovakia, now the Czech Republic) and Germany, and in England from 1849 to 1855.  There are many reproductions currently marketed as "mercury glass," which can be distinguished from antique silvered glass in several ways, including lack of a double wall.  I don't think these three are true mercury glass.

"West Germany" is embossed in the top of this blue swirly ornament, so it would have been made prior to the reunification of Germany on 3 October 1990.  This is assuming this is the original top.  I have photos of this ornament in my tree in 2008, so I have had it at least that long - I'd have to ask my offspring if it might have been on an even earlier (1986 or later) tree.  The design looks like it was created with an acrylic pour or dirty pour technique.

The next three ornaments have Inge-Glas Star Crown Tops on them, but I'm not sure those were the original tops.  I liked the star top and may have used ones from broken ornaments to replace what was originally there.  I haven't found any comparable ornaments using Google Lens.  The third ornament (the red one) was purchased to replace another teardrop reflector ornament in a Pyramid (Rauch Industries) set that broke, and I think that was fairly recently, so it might be an Old World Christmas ornament.

© Amanda Pape - 2022 - e-mail me!

Inge-Glas and Old World Christmas Ornaments

We have WAY more Christmas tree ornaments now than we will ever need, given that we don't put up a large tree any more, and also inherited a number of ornaments from my parents.  So I thought I would write about the stories behind a few of the more interesting ones.

The ones I'm writing about today are Inge-Glas and Old World Christmas ornaments.   Some I bought, and some inherited from my parents. The Merck Family's Old World Christmas company, of Spokane, Washington, began in 1979.  They distributed German Inge-Glas ornaments in the U.S. from 1984 through 2000.  In 2001 Inge-Glas, of Neustadt, near Coburg, Germany, cut business ties with Old World Christmas and started selling directly to wholesale customers in the U.S.  Inge-Glas ornaments are clearly identified by the trademarked (in 1987) Star Crown top.  Old World Christmas has since had their ornaments manufactured in China and they no longer have the Star Crown top.*

Both companies state that they hand-craft their ornaments using techniques that originated in the 1800's. Molten glass is mouth-blown into finely carved molds. For Inge-Glas, the Müller-Blech family, glass-blowers since 1596 and now in the 15th generation, has a mold collection of approximately 15,000 items dating back two centuries. These are are maintained and preserved for use, along with molds for newer ornaments.  Balls (kugels in German), finials and many more ornaments are formed freely in front of the flame by experienced glassblowers.

Next, a hot solution of pure liquid silver is poured inside each ornament to coat the glass. The ornaments are then hand-painted and glittered in a series of labor-intensive steps  - up to 60 at Inge-Glas, where each ornament is painted by the same worker from first to last step.

In the 1987 Inge-Glas catalog, the ornament pictured below was item #3604, Ice Cream Cone w/Glitter, 5.5."  I bought this one during my time in the Seattle area, so before 2005, probably before 1996.  

I got this bell (Glocke) from Mom and Dad in 2012, when they were downsizing their ornament collection.  The Star Crown top on this one is embossed with

WGER

MANY

(West Germany), so it dates to before the reunification of Germany in 3 October 1990.  A listing for one on ebay described it as "Old World Christmas Ornament Bell 3808, about 3.5 inches high," but it is Inge-Glas because of the topper.

I have two of this next ornament, and received both from my parents in 2012.  The Star Crown top on this is embossed "Made in Germany," so it dates to after the reunification of Germany in October 1990.

The next two photos show two sides of an ornament described as the Inge-Glas "Fruit Basket" ornament in various online shopping sites, with strawberries, peaches, grapes, a pear and an apple.  This ornament measures about 2.5 inches in length. It was retired in 2001 so it was made before then.  However, the top is embossed "Made in Germany," so it dates to after the reunification of Germany in October 1990.  This one also came from my parents.

The next two images are the front and back of another Inge-Glas ornaments I got from my parents in 2012.  It is described in some online shopping listings as a "tropical flower" and is about two inches in diameter.  The top is embossed "Made in Germany," so it dates to after the reunification of Germany in October 1990.

The next ornament has a metal "OWC" (Old World Christmas) tag on it.  It's a piece of candy, about 2.5 inches long, and I *think* I got it from my parents, although I might have purchased it.  It would have been made in 2001 or later.

The next four images show two sides of two different Merck Family's Old World Christmas drop reflector ornaments.  They also have the metal OWC tags.  The paper tags indicate that they were made in China in 2001.  The paper tags also state that "Reflectors are a traditional favorite on Christmas trees.  With their many different angles, the textured indented sections reflect light in complex and intricate ways.  For this reason, reflector ornaments were believed to scare away evil spirits and ensure good luck."  I believe I bought these here in Granbury, Texas (so 2006 or later), either in an after-Christmas or going-out-of-business sale at a bookstore on the courthouse square.

Finally, I have two boxes of these tiny Merck Family's Old World Christmas ornaments that have never been used.  I picked them up in an after-Christmas sale at a bookstore on the Granbury, Texas, courthouse square that was closing (so 2006 or later). The boxes have 2004 on them and thus were likely made in China.

*source

© Amanda Pape - 2022 - e-mail me!

Treasure Chest Thursday: Corpus Christi Ornaments

We have WAY more Christmas tree ornaments now than we will ever need, given that we don't put up a large tree any more, and also inherited a number of ornaments from my parents.  So I thought I would write about the stories behind a few of the more interesting ones.

The ones I'm writing about today are ones we still put on the tree - meaning the offspring won't be getting them anytime soon - because they remind us of our life in Corpus Christi, Texas - even though I'm not sure I actually got any of these ornaments *in* Corpus Christi.

I bought this stained glass ornament because it reminds me of the Wagon, a 22-foot Catalina sailboat that was my husband's first:  

The sails on this balsa-wood sailboat ornament actually pivot a little bit, which makes me think of tacking while sailing.

This next one is an ornamental key to the City of Corpus Christi, Texas.  I received it from Mayor Luther Jones after taking countless photos of him presenting one of these keys to others, during my time working for the City's Information Services (aka public information) Offiice, October 1981 through March 1983.

I know I liked the idea of a holiday "tree" decorated with shells.  One year I sent a Christmas card with just that image, with a sea star at the top.  Having lived almost all of the first 27 years of my life on or near the Texas Gulf Coast, holiday images full of snow were never relevant to me.

The shells that make up the body and wings of this angel ornament were common enough along Texas Gulf Coast beaches (incongruous arks look like these), and cowries could also be found there, but the head of this angel is actually a gold ring cowrie, not found in Texas.

Of course I had to get a palm tree ornament - this one was rather unique.

The lightning whelk is the Texas state shell.  While it's hard to tell exactly what this glass shell ornament is supposed to be, it has the conic shape of a whelk.

I really liked these cross-sections of shells.  The one on top was an earring; I lost its mate.  I can't remember where I got the second one.

Finally, oyster reefs were at one time common between Nueces and Corpus Christi bays, stretching from Rincon Point on the north end of North Beach to Indian Point on the Portland side, roughly where the highway causeway between the two areas is today.  It was even used as a road in early years.  Mark remembers going out there with his father and friends in the early 1970s to harvest oysters.  They were all gone by the 1980s, although efforts are now being made in the area to farm them.  Mark never found a pearl in his oysters, though.

© Amanda Pape - 2022 - e-mail me!

Remembering Mom: It's Been Three Years

Geraldine Margaret Guokas Pape, October 19, 1928 - November 30, 2019

It's been three years now since I lost my mom, and I miss her.  This photo of her, taken sometime between 1998 and 2016,  is a favorite of my niece Madison Pape, who yesterday graduated from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland with a master's degree in sustainable development.

© Amanda Pape - 2022 - e-mail me!

Remembering Dad: It's Been Five Years

Five years ago today, I lost my dad, Frederick Henry Pape, when he was 88.  Hard to believe it has been that long.  This photo is the last one I have of him, taken August 26, 2017, at the Marakesh Cafe and Grill.  Marakesh was a Middle Eastern restaurant very near my parents' duplex in Austin, and they ate there often.  I ate there nearly every Saturday evening in December 2017 and January 2018, when I was cleaning out the duplex after Dad's death.  The restaurant closed that April when Abir Saadeh, the owner, decided to retire.

© Amanda Pape - 2022 - e-mail me!

Happy Halloween!

OK, so this isn't a Halloween costume.  It was for a Lynnwood Library event celebrating the publication of the final book in the Harry Potter series in July 2005.  I added some stars to an old black choir robe, but the hat, broom, and owl belonged to the library.  The wizard name I came up with was Miranda Rutilus-Capillus (Latin for redhead).  I worked for the Sno-Isle Libraries (a two-county system for Snohomish and Island Counties in Washington State) from August 1999 through December 2005, starting out as a substitute at various branches, and was half-time and then full-time at the Lynnwood Library for the last two years.

© Amanda Pape - 2022 - e-mail me!

My Parents' Grave

Today my siblings, our spouses, my son, and I were able to gather to finally have the Rite of Committal and bury the cremains of our parents, Frederick Henry Pape (1929-2017) and Geraldine Margaret Guokas Pape (1928-2019), at St. Mary's Memorial Garden Cemetery in Fredericksburg, Texas.  

My parents' cremains urns (pictured below) were placed in the vault (pictured above) before the Rite and burial.

Above, left to right:  Mark Pape and wife Nazli Rampi Mayer, Karen Pape, my husband Mark Gresham, Mary Pape, Brian Pape and wife Paige Frederick-Pape, my son Eric Bolme, me.

Originally we had planned to have a Celebration of Life with a larger number of family and friends in April 2020, but COVID caused it to be rescheduled twice and ultimately cancelled.  Some of my four siblings spend large parts of the year in other places (Turkey, Maine, and Colorado), and this was the first time we were all available since the last cancellation.  The weather kind of matched my mood. A cold front came through and it had rained all the night before, and was much cooler (in the 50s) than the previous day (sunny and in the 70s).

Their grave has a view of Cross Mountain (in the center background in the photo above), which was near their 1993-2013 Fredericksburg home after Dad retired.  I think they were happiest in this town.

© Amanda Pape - 2022 - e-mail me!

Happy Birthday to Mom in Heaven

Senior portrait for Geraldine Margaret Guokas Pape (1928-2019), Incarnate Word Academy, Houston, Texas, 1944-1945.

© Amanda Pape - 2022 - e-mail me!

Happy Birthday to My Baby Sister!

My sister Mary Elaine's high school senior picture - forty years ago!

© Amanda Pape - 2022 - e-mail me!

Granbury's First Bridge

Earlier this month, I attended a presentation by some "old-timers" in Granbury (people who lived here prior to 1969, when the Brazos River was dammed to form Lake Granbury).  They shared their memories of growing up in Granbury, and some spoke about the first bridge that crossed the lake.

Thomas Ewell's 1895 Hood County History has this to say about the bridge (pages 144-145):

Not least among the great enterprises of our county is the mag­nificent tubular arch bridge, which spans the Brazos at Gran­bury, first constructed by private capital put forth in the form of a joint stock company in the year 1878, at a cost of, approximately, $25,000.  The principal men engaged in this undertaking were P. H. Thrash, the Nutt brothers, E. A. Hannaford and J. D. Baker. This bridge was originally built in three span arches, resting on four stone piers, and with its wooden approaches, had a total length of over six hundred feet.  In 1893 it was purchased by the county at $12,500, and bonds issued and negotiated for the amount.  In 1894, the river by reason of floods, so encroached upon the west side approaches, as to wash away a considerable portion, very greatly interrupting travel until the injury was repaired by the substitution of a fourth iron span upon iron pillars.  Other injuries have occurred during the year 1895, but no serious interruptions of travel, and again repairs are rendered necessary, and another iron span added. This bridge, so centrally located in our county, continued for 18 years to be the only wagon bridge across the Brazos above Waco, and has been the means of bringing thousands of immigrant wagons and travelers through our county, many of whom, pleased with its prospects, have remained to be permanent citizens.

A 1956 reprint of the book added the following information ("Hood County Today," page ii):

"The cost of the bridge was cared for by toll. ... Free traffic was opened in 1893. .... In 1932 a new bridge was built. The old bridge was torn down in 1937..."

I found an article about the bridge in the August 24, 1877, Galveston Daily News.  The article was reprinted from The Vidette, the newspaper in Granbury at that time.  This article said the bridge was four hundred feet long (which was probably the length of the iron arches):

cropped from The Galveston Daily News. (Galveston, Tex.), Vol. 36, No. 132, Ed. 1 Friday, August 24, 1877, newspaper, August 24, 1877; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth462488/m1/4/zoom/?q=%22tubular%20arch%20bridge%22&resolution=1&lat=806.3896458788859&lon=2854.7513022701564: accessed September 28, 2022), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Abilene Library Consortium.

An earlier reference to the contract by the Granbury Bridge Company with S. E. [sic, should be Z.] King and Company of Cleveland, Ohio, appeared in the Galveston Daily News of August 10, 1877, in a column called "Texas News By Telegraph." 

cropped from The Galveston Daily News. (Galveston, Tex.), Vol. 36, No. 120, Ed. 1 Friday, August 10, 1877, newspaper, August 10, 1877; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth461238/m1/1/?q=%22tubular+arch+bridge%22: accessed September 28, 2022), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Abilene Library Consortium.

Why did this transaction occur in Courtney, a town about 200 miles southeast of Granbury?  Courtney was on the Brazos River and on the railroad in the far southwestern corner of Grimes County (near today's Luther Unit of the Texas state prison).  Apparently the Granbury Bridge Company's contract was signed about the same time as that of Courtney Bridge Company, according to an article in The Daily Banner of August 11, 1877, from nearby Brenham, Texas. 

The Granbury Bridge Company representative(s) might have traveled to Courtney down the Houston and Texas Central Railroad from Fort Worth or Waxahachie (the "From Waco" portion in the 1876-1883 map below had not been - and ultimately wasn't - constructed).  Click on the map below to view a larger version; Granbury and Courtney are outlined in fuchsia.  (The Courtney Bridge was undermined by high water and collapsed in 1890.)

cropped and edited from Houston & Texas Central Railway Company. Revised map of the State of Texas., map, [1876..1883]; Chicago, Illinois. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth190460/m1/1/: accessed September 28, 2022), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting University of Texas at Arlington Library.

So just where was this Granbury bridge located?  Its first appearance is on an 1889 U.S. Geological Survey map that was based on a survey done in 1887.  By this time, the Fort Worth and Rio Grande Railway had been extended to Granbury.

cropped from Geological Survey (U.S.). Granbury Sheet, map, 1889 [surveyed in 1887]; Reston, Virginia. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth451417/m1/1/: accessed September 27, 2022), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.

This map was the same (still using the 1887 survey) in 1949.  It clearly wasn't updated as a new bridge was built in 1932 and this one was torn down in 1937.  The bridge was gone by the 1963 map.  

The 1923 map below may be more accurate, as old-timers on the panel and another source place the bridge at the south end of Cleburne Street, on the northwest side of the Brazos River/Lake Granbury.  It joined up with Old Cleburne Road on the southeast side of the river/lake.  My house is two blocks from the north end of Cleburne Street.  I imagine remnants of the old bridge were still visible before the lake filled up.

cropped from Geological Survey (U.S.). Granbury 2-a Quadrangle, map, 1923; Reston, Virginia. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth455848/m1/1/: accessed September 27, 2022), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.

What did this bridge look like?  Unfortunately, no photographs of it survive.*  However, in 1875, the King Bridge Company had completed another tubular arch bridge (aka "King patent tubular bowstring iron bridge") for the Army at Fort Laramie, Wyoming.  It was also 400 feet long with three arches, so the Granbury bridge was probably similar to it.  Here is a photo of it in 1906 (click on the image to make it larger):

Above:  cropped from National Archives Identifier 294477; "View showing Old Fort Laramie Military Bridge across North Platte River at Fort Laramie," 1906; Photograph albums, 1903 - 1972, Volume 1; Records of the Bureau of Reclamation, Record Group 115; National Archives and Records Administration–Rocky Mountain Region (Denver).

Below:  OLD ARMY BRIDGE - FORT LARAMIE 1875 (undated / c1950), P2006-47/6, Forts & Camps - Fort Laramie #3 of 5, Wyoming State Archives.  This  copy of the image from WY-B-0008, WaterArchives.org / CC BY-SA 2.0

The surface of the Granbury Bridge probably looked a lot like this undated photo of the Fort Laramie Bridge, taken sometime before the bridge's renovation, completed in April 1969, into a footbridge.  This bridge still stands and is part of Fort Laramie National Historic Site.

Above:  undated image (taken before April 1969) of the Fort Laramie Bridge, courtesy Fort Laramie National Historic Site.  Found on page 40 of Images of America: Fort Laramie by Stanley Talbott, 2010, Arcadia Publishing.

*ETA March 32, 2024 - I was recently contacted by Melinda Jo Ray, local historian and author of the recently-published Images of America: Granbury and Hood County (Arcadia Publishing, 2024).  She kindly provided the following photographs of the 1878 Granbury bridge, which are courtesy of the Hood County Historical and Genealogical Society.  In her accompanying text, Ray noted that the bridge "was wide enough for two wagons or carriages to pass each other with ease," and that after its demolition, "its limestone pillars are still there, under the waters of Lake Granbury."

Below:  Cleburne Road Bridge, Granbury, Texas, 1902 photo by R. G.  (Dick) Kerr.

Above:  Mr. Brister in carriage on First Bridge over Brazos in Granbury, Texas.

Below:  The First Bridge - Automobiles Cross the Brazos in Granbury, Texas.

© Amanda Pape - 2022 - e-mail me!