Ruby Flash Glass 101

Ruby Flash glass is also known as Ruby Stained glass.  It probably looks familiar, because just about any antique shop will have a couple pieces.  If they know what they're doing, they will display them in a window or near a light source:

 

 

Ruby Flash glass is basically decorated pattern glass.  It was popular from the 1890's to the late 1920's here in the U.S.  The glass was coated with a chemical solution containing copper sulfide and baked in a kiln, turning the coating bright red.  Sometimes entire sets of dinnerware were "flashed", occasionally with touches of gold.  Ruby Flash also became a popular souvenir glass sold at fairs and train stations.

The two upside down items below are both a "button arches" glass pattern.  The little mug that says "State Fair" is a variation of a thumbprint pattern: 

 

 

 

If sold at train stations or tourist attractions, souvenir glass would have the name of the city and state and the local landmark on it if applicable.  The souvenir items were personalized with the year, event, and buyer's name if sold at a fair:

 

 

The popularity of Ruby Flash glass began to wane right around 1929, probably due to the onset of the Great Depression.  You might find pieces dated much later than that, however.

The basket below is dated 1929, a souvenir from the Michigan State Fair:

 

 

This piece I purchased recently, a spooner, had the owner's note inside with the amount they spent on it.  Luckily, I bought it on the second day of the estate sale and I will be able to offer it to my customers in the sixty-something dollar range:

 

 

Individual Ruby Flash pieces are an affordable collectible.  You can find items in the eight to eighty dollar range for a single piece, and more for a two-piece item like a covered butter dish.

To get an idea of the current values of Ruby Flash glass, visit The Find for an extensive list of offerings.  You will learn the names of the glass patterns there too.

"King's Crown" is one of the most common patterns you will find.  Several different glass companies made a variation of King's Crown.  The name comes from the zig-zag design, like the top of a crown.  The goblet below is King's Crown and Thumbprint.  The little "cauldron" has a daisy and button pattern around the rim:

 

 

Photo Credit:  Atop The Table

 

 

Ruby Flash glass makes a beautiful and affordable collectible.  Isn't it better than "junk"?  I know junk is popular right now, and junk is fun, but junk won't have any value in the future.  A little collection of Ruby Flash glass would be nice to hand down to a grandchild someday, don't you agree?

Mitzi

Comments

[barbara]

Very pretty! I've seen this often without really knowing anything about it. Starting the day smarter, thanks to you.

[Mitzi Curi]

Hi Barbara,

Well, Ive developed a new appreciation for feedsack fabrics (and oodles of other things) thanks to you!

Mitzi

[GinaV]

Thanks for this post, Mitzi. I have a set of stemware from my mother-in-law that I think is flash glass, but cranberry, not ruby. Is it still identified as "flash" if it's the lighter shade of red? I only have 5 glasses, and would love to find more but have never seen the shape of the ones I have anywhere.

[Laura Loew]

Hi Mitzi! Loved this. I've collected Ruby Flash for years and have many pieces. I only collect the ones with a name and date, as I find them charming. Have several from World's Fairs as well as amusement parks like Cedar Point. Love them! LL

[Mitzi Curi]

Hi Gina!

There is a wide variation with the red coloration, from deep ruby to pale pink. If its ruby flash glass, the coloration is only applied to the outside of a piece of crystal clear glass, and it is prone to scratching. The base will probably not have any color. If its cranberry glass, the entire item is the same color: inside, outside, and the base, and the color cannot be removed, just like you cant remove the white from a piece of milk glass. I hope that makes sense!

Mitzi

[Mitzi Curi]

Hi Laura,

I love the old-fashioned names on the items! I am writing a blog post about names from the past, and Ill bet you would be able to contribute some excellent examples! If you have time, please send me a couple popular names from the Victorian era!

Mitzi

[Upscale Downhome]

I love Ruby flash glass and have a couple of pieces. Way better than junk!

[Mitzi Curi]

Hi Sarah,

Once again, we are on the same page! Thanks for stopping by today!

Mitzi

[Janet]

Hi Mitzi,
I love your blog... so much information.
Question: Do you know of any way to touch up the color on flash glass?
Thanks, Janet

[Mitzi Curi]

Hi Janet,

Thanks for the nice compliment about my blog! I havent tried to touch up ruby flash glass, but now that you mention it, Ill bet some of the new glass paint Martha Stewart is advertising might work. Its not opaque, and that would be key. There are some glass paint pens at craft stores that might work too. It wouldnt hurt to give one a try if you can find a color close to your scratched item!

Mitzi

[Don]

beautiful pics of your Ruby Stained glass. There is a big difference between stained and flashed glass. Stained is done by applying a liquid chemical on pressed glass that is then fired to set the color and fix the applied chemical to the glass. Whereas flashing is done with blown glass and actually adds a thin layer of colored glass over clear glass. EAPG is always stained as it is pressed glass.

[Mitzi Curi]

Hi Don,

Thanks so much for the helpful information, Don! I love learning new things about antiques....

Mitzi