Every time I drive by the Fredric C. Hamilton building at the Denver Art Museum, I think of the Modernistic glass pattern produced by the New Martinsville Glass Manufacturing Company. There are parts of the building that look strikingly similar to the angles, bold lines and geometric shapes of the glass pattern. How ironic that the glass pattern was granted a design patent some 80 years earlier in 1928. What is modern now was modern then.

The New Martinsville Glass Company was formed in 1901 in Martinsville, West Virginia. The company was bought out in 1944 and renamed Viking Glass Company. Around 1986 the company was purchased by the Dazel Glass Company and renamed Dalzell-Viking. Production at the company ceased on April 10, 1998.

The Modernistic line is a very small line compared to some of the companies other lines. According to James Measell's book New Martinsville Glass 1900 - 1944, the company only produced 14 items in this pattern: console bowl, candlestick, candy box 7", compote, creamer, sugar, tray (for sugar/creamer), perfume bottle with stopper, pitcher, puff box, center handled sandwich tray, tray for a vanity set, tumbler and a 8 1/2" vase. Note: the pitcher was originally listed as a night jug. The easiest items to find are the creamer, sugar, puff box and vase. Candlesticks and the tray for the sugar/creamer are difficult to find. The console bowl and perfume bottles are considered rare and the pitcher is extremely rare. I have not seen any examples of the sandwich tray and tumbler. I would consider these rare as well. This pattern is easily chipped so be sure to check for damage.

The pattern was produced in several colors: crystal, black, blue, green, jade, pink and red. Modernistic in jade is hard to find. There has been only one piece found in red and that was a vase with a silver decoration applied to it. Crystal, blue, green and pink colors were also frosted. Some frosted crystal and pink items will be found painted with black enamel triangles on them.

The vase will sometimes be found with an art deco etch on it. Etched vases are truly spectacular to see and can be found in pink, green and black.

The console bowl in this pattern is really amazing. If you look closely at the top of the bowl you will see two different triangles. The first triangle is the outside shape of the bowl and second triangle is formed by the rim of the bowl. The rim was designed to give the illusion of another triangle within the bowl. The designer of the bowl, Robert E. McEldowney, applied for and was granted a patent for this design in 1928. Look closely at the attached pictures and patent designs and you can see how clever Mr. McEldowney was when he designed this bowl. The design effect carries over to the outside of candlesticks as well.

Several years ago I spotted a water pitcher for sale and was waffling on whether to buy it for myself or let Hugh Grant, museum director, for the Kirkland Museum of Fine and Decorative Art know about it. I finally called Hugh and advised him of its existence and I went ahead and purchased it for the museum. The pitcher is currently out on display along with numerous other pieces including rare perfume bottles and a console bowl. I always stop to look at the pitcher when I visit the museum and dream of what I gave up! A black console set turned up at the fall glass and pottery show in Colorado Springs this year. The set consisted of one console bowl and 2 matching candlesticks. A green etched Modernistic vase was on display at this year's Modernistic show in August. There were many compliments and questions by the public as to what the name of the pattern is and who made it.

I highly recommend visiting the Kirkland Museum to see examples of the glass pattern mentioned in this article. The museum also contains hundreds of other fine and decorative art objects ranging from Kirkland paintings, to furniture, pottery, arts/crafts, prints and much more. The Kirkland Museum is located at 1311 Pearl St., Denver, Co. 80203 (303) 832-8576.

I also recommend visiting the CHATABOUTDG online photo gallery where they have over 12,000 images of glass and glass related items on display. This site is run by volunteers and has a really good search feature to find what you're looking for. The website can be found here: ( www.chataboutdg.com/pics).

To gain an appreciation for the beauty, variety and quality of American glass manufacturing, consider attending one of the shows that promotes these items. The next glass and pottery show featuring Modernistic glass and others mentioned in this article will be sponsored by the Rocky Mountain Depression Glass Society (RMDGS) which will be holding their 35th glass and pottery show on April 25 th (10-5) and 26 th (11-4), 2009. The show will be held at the Douglas County Event Center. 500 Fairgrounds Road (Exit 181 - I25) in Castle Rock. Please visit the RMDGS website to learn more about their club and show: ( www.RMDGS.com) & ( SHOW). The show will have a main exhibit featuring an "Anniversary Theme" to it. There will also be 14-15 other displays on exhibit. The show has hourly door prizes for adults and a special $25 door prize just for children every 2 hours during the show.

Please visit the Pikes Peak Depression Glass Club (PPDGC) website to learn more about their club and their Sept. 2009 fall show. ( www.PPDGC.com).

The Denver Modernism Show is an excellent show that features modern and art deco vases. Please visit their website to learn more about their next show: ( www.denvermodernism.com).