Nostalgic Glassware: Libbey Glasses

Chances are good that if you’ve ever drank out of a vintage glass cup, you’ve probably used some Libbey glassware. Many of this company’s designs are iconic to the mid-century era and a few designs will probably bring up some nostalgia when you see them. We’ll discuss why this brand was so popular and what made their designs so special.

The roots of Libbey Glass began with the New England Glass Company, founded in 1818 near Boston. Back then crown (blown) glass was one of the methods used to create their pieces. A central figure for the firm later would form Sandwich Glass and eventually William L. Libbey came to head New England Glass. Upon his death the company was moved to Toledo, OH, and the named was changed to The Libbey Glass Company.

Libbey had been known for making some higher end pieces such as cut glass decanters around the turn of the century, but by the 1930s they also made Vitrolux glass tiles and commercial grade windows as well. Then following their post-war plans, they were able to become household names for their distinctive glasses.

After World War II the American concept of prosperity changed drastically. An invigorated middle class suddenly had not only buying power, but they craved modern, well-appointed homes after the chaos of war. The Libbey Glass Company was also changed after the war. During the conflict they ceased production of home glassware and instead made bulbs and canteen items for the armed forces. However, only a year after the US joined the fight Libbey began strategizing what their company and their products would look like once they could return to commercial production. They employed two female designers, Virginia Hamill and Freda Diamond, to create some fresh pieces for home use.

The designers went to conduct consumer surveys and visited dozens of retailers to discover what would appeal to American consumers the most. They came up with new designs, including some very simplified patterns that played on the trend for clean, modern lines. Diamond would go on to create nearly 80 designs for Libbey before her retirement. Some of the most recognizable Libbey glasses are her creations, including a simplified glassware set where some glasses could used for different things, limiting the overall number of pieces a host might need for entertaining.

Libbey rolled out their new line of molded stemware as part of their post-war initiative along with their hostess sets. These pieces could be made much faster and more cheaply and gave the appearance of much more expensive glassware. These tumblers in carriers (sometimes with other matching pieces) were meant to make entertaining easier as well. These glasses were particularly suited for cocktails and cold drinks and came in so many fun patterns and colors. Later designs featured a stacking shape that made selecting glasses from the cupboard even easier. Into the 1970s the colorful glasses have delighted customers. Today, most Libby glassware is clear, but many are fans of their more colorful pieces.

Today mint condition mid-century hostess sets can be sold for between $50 and $100, but most sets sell far below this range due to age and use. While these glasses were made in great numbers they also sometimes didn’t survive busy family life and it’s common to find just one or two at a time at thrift stores. This can be an easy way to build up a set without having to shell out the big bucks.