phoenix "reuben line" - updated april 5, 2014

Phoenix Reuben-Line

Phoenix

“Reuben-Line”

© Tom Jiamachello 2013

Phoenix Reuben-Line

Phoenix

“Reuben-Line”??

Six Questions

• 1 Who designed and produced the line?

• 2 When was it produced?

• 3 What makes it “Reuben-Line”?

• 4 In what colors was it made?

• 5 In what shapes was it made?

• 5 Why is the “Reuben Blue” color such a problem?

1 Who designed and produced the “Reuben-Line”?

• When Reuben Haley (1872-1933) died on September 29 1933 in Beaver,

PA, the genesis of Phoenix Glass Company’s Reuben-Line was born.

• Reuben Haley was associated with Consolidated Glass from 1926-1933. To

honor his well-documented contributions to the glass industry, his son

Kenneth Haley (1905-1987) created this line which combines Consolidated

molds and Phoenix molds but was produced by Phoenix. Kenneth worked

for Phoenix from 1928 to 1934.

2 When was it produced?

• The short answer is March 1934 - March 1936. The long answer is more

involved. Read on.

• March 1936 is a pivotal date in understanding how the “Reuben-Line” came

to be.

• When Consolidated shut down on April 26, 1932, the molds created by

Reuben Haley would sit unused for the last 17 months of Reuben Haley’s

life. Upon his death in September 1933, the ownership of the molds passed

to his son Kenneth Haley, who was then working at Phoenix.


• Kenneth came up with the idea of relocating the molds his father created to

Phoenix. He named the glass produced by Phoenix from these molds as the

“Reuben-Line”. Each piece was decorated by Phoenix Glass using ceramic

colors. Kathy Hansen recently told me that it is very likely that both

Consolidated and Phoenix bought their ceramic colors from the same

Pittsburgh company. The colors Kenneth chose for this line are very

different from any Consolidated used previously with these molds.

• Along with the Consolidated molds, Kenneth Haley created new molds for

Phoenix for this line. These molds carried the “Reuben-Line” oval gold

paper label. How many molds were created by Phoenix for the “Reuben-

Line”? It appears that number is around 15. (245 - 263).


• Another 24 molds have been found with the same colors used on the

Reuben-Line pieces. They are from a separate line called the Sculptured

Crystal line. (Molds 264-286 part of Sculptured Crystal Series 200 line.

None of these have (yet) been found with a Reuben-Line label)

• It is not know exactly when the “Reuben-Line” started production. Jack

Wilson states on page 167 of his book that “the Phoenix Sculptured glass

line was in production by 1934, six months after Reuben Haley’s death. It is

known that in March of 1936, Consolidated re-opened and requested that

the “Haley” molds be returned to them. It is my opinion that Phoenix could

no longer legally use the name “Reuben-Line” after March 1936. What

name did they choose to use for the glass produced by their new molds and

in what colors did they make this glass?


• On pages 169-171 of Jack Wilson’s book are copies of pages from a

Phoenix catalog for “Sculptured Decorative Glassware”. This catalog is

from circa 1938. It includes the 18 Phoenix molds which are part of the

“Reuben-Line” AND 28 other Phoenix molds. This line started at least as

early as December 1936, 9 months after the return of the Consolidated

molds to Consolidated glass. On page 175 of the Wilson book one sees that

Howard Selden of New York City is listed as the sales representative for the

Phoenix Glass “Art Division”.

• On a page of this circa 1938 catalog is a table of contents. The term that

Phoenix uses for all the glass shown in this catalog is “Sculptured Artware”,

shown on pages 2-8. One the bottom of the page is the header “Decorative

Sculptured Artware”, described as “made in four entirely different processes

producing a wide variation in textures and color effects.”

2 When was it produced?• Here are the names of the four lines and their descriptions:

• 1. 300 Series: “ SCULPTURED CAMEO consists of a white opaline translucent body, on which have been fused soft pastel ceramic colors. The decorations stand out in white against a colored background.” Produced in Tan, Taupe, Wine, Green, Cadet Blue.

• 2 200 Series - “SCULPTURED CRYSTAL is basically a crystal glass frosted with hues of ceramics colors fused on the background with the raised detail in soft relief, enhancing the sculptured effect.” Produced in Cadet Blue, White, Orchid.

• 3. 400 Series - “SCULPTURED PEARL LUSTRE combines a frosted milk-white background with mother-of-pearl lustre on the raised detail.” Produced in Tan, Taupe, Wine, Green, Cadet Blue

• 4. 600 Series - “SCULPTURED BRILLIANTE utilizes the brilliance of fine crystal glass for the design on an etched background, thus high-lighting the beauty of the decoration.”

• It is my contention that the Series 200 “Sculptured Crystal” line is the renamed “Reuben-Line”.


34 Series 200 molds shown in circa 1938 catalog:

245 Figured vase

246 Philadendron vase

247 Pine Cone vase

248 Lily vase, tumbler shape

249 Lily candleholders

250 Lily console bowl

252 Diving Girl bowl

253 Primrose vase

254 Phlox covered candy box

256 Daisy vase

257 Flying Geese vase

258 Tiger Lily bowl

259 Jonquil platter

261 Fern vase

262 Bluebell Vase

263 Phlox ashtray 5 1/2” long (end of

Kenneth Haley designed molds?)

264 Dancing Girl vase

265 Cosmos

266 Phlox Covered Cigarette Box

267 Wild Rose vase

268 Freesia Vase (No Flare), tumbler shape

269 Freesia Vase, Fan

270 Freesia Vase, Flared

271 candy dish, (open), 7 1/2” diameter

272 Phlox Ash Tray, 3” long

275 Tri-Crimp Lily vase

277 Star Flower vase

278 Thistle vase

279 Madonna vase

280 Zodiac vase

281 Phlox 3-Compartment Box

282 Jewel vase

283 Strawberry Bowl

284 Strawberry Candleholders

285 Aster vase

2 When was it produced?• On page 172, there is a dated Feb. 1947 catalog. By this time, the 200 Series patterns have been reduced to 23 offerings. These are

available only in three colors: Green, White, Blue.

Items offered:

246 Philadendron vase

248 Lily vase, tumbler shape

250 Lily console bowl

252 Diving Girl bowl

256 Daisy vase

257 Flying Geese vase

258 Tiger Lily bowl

259 Jonquil platter

261 Fern vase

262 Bluebell vase

264 Dancing Girl vase

265 Cosmos vase

266 Phlox Covered Candy Box

267 Wild Rose vase

268 Freesia vase (No Flare) tumbler shape

272 Phlox ash tray, 3” long

277 Star Flower vase

278 Thistle vase

279 Madonna vase

280 Zodiac vase

282 Jewel vase

285 Aster vase

286 Bachelor Button vase

Items no longer offered: 13 of the 1938 catalog items

245 Figured vase

247 Pine Cone vase

249 Lily candleholders

251 missing also from 1938 catalog

253 Primrose vase

254 Phlox covered candy box



263 Phlox ashtray, 5 1/2” long

269 Freesia vase, Fan

270 Freesia vase, Flared

271 candy dish, (open), 7 1/2” diameter



275 Tri-Crimp Lily vase


281 Phlox 3-Compartment Box

283 Strawberry Bowl

284 Strawberry Candleholders

3 What makes it “Reuben-Line”?

• What are the basic “field marks” that identify it as “Reuben-Line”

• 1. shape

• 2 color

• 3. Consolidated mold or Phoenix mold?

• If it is a Consolidated mold from 200 Series in a Reuben color, it is from the

Reuben-Line whether it has a label or not.

• If it is a Phoenix mold with a Reuben-Line paper label, it is from the

Reuben-Line. If it is a Phoenix mold with no label but frosted figures, it is

from the Sculptured Crystal 200 Series (one of four Sculptured lines

described in 1938 Phoenix Glass Company catalog (Wilson pp 170-171)

which was still available in Feb. 47 catalog

3 In what documented colors was it made?

Blue:

1. Blue, aqua/turquoise2. Blue, sky (Phoenix used the word “light blue” for

Sculptured Art line) p. 165

3. Blue, slate (Phoenix used the word “slate gray” for Sculptured Art line) p. 165

4. Blue, teal

5 Blue, Reuben

Brown:56. Brown, sepia (Fig 709 on page 102 of Wilson

book)

Green:7. Green (Phoenix used the word “sea green” for


8. Green, mint

Orange:9. Orange, pumpkin

Pink:10. Pink, light

11. Pink/orchid (Phoenix used the word “cadet rose”

for Sculptured Art line) p. 165

12. Pink, salmon (Phoenix used the word “coral” for


Purple:

13. Purple (Fig 713 on page 102 of Wilson book)

Red:

14. Red, russet (aka “ceramic red”)

White:

15. White, ceramic

Yellow:

16. Yellow, butterscotch

17. Yellow, honey (like the Catalonian honey color)

18. Yellow, pale (Fig 538 on page 91 of Wilson book)

3 In what documented colors was it made?Blue (5) Brown (1) Green (2) Orange (1)

Pink (3) Red (1) White (1) Yellow (3)

Sky

Teal

Slate

“Reuben”

Sepia Mint Bright Orange

Pale Orchid

Salmon

Russet White Butterscotch Honey

Pale

Aqua

4 In what shapes was the “Reuben-Line” made?

Consolidated molds:

45 molds (200-244) (9 missing)

Found with Reuben-Line labels: 19 shapes

Found in Reuben-Line colors but no label (yet): 17 shapes

Phoenix molds: 42 molds

Consolidated molds

* denotes example with label in private collection

1. Shape #200 - Lovebirds vase

1. Shape #201* - Dogwood vase

1. Shape #202 - Tropical Fish vase

1. Shape #203 - Katydid vase(Ovoid)

1. Shape #204* - Bittersweet vase

1. Shape #205* - Seagulls vase

1. Shape #206* - Pine Cone vase

1. Shape #207* - Screech Owl vase

1. Shape #208* - Dragonfly

1. Shape #209 - Blackberry vase

1. Shape #210* - Line 700 vase, small

1. Shape #211* - Line 700 vase, large

1. Shape #212* - Katydid vase, tumbler shape

1. Shape #213* - Katydid vase, fan shape

1. Shape #214* - Olive vase

1. Shape #215 - Olive 8” bowl?

1. Shape #216* - Santa Maria covered cigarette

box

1. Shape #217 - Tropical Fish platter/bowl

1. Shape #217 - Tropical Fish rectangular tray

1. Shape #218 - missing

1. Shape #223 - Five Fruits 6” plate

1. Shape #224* - Five Fruits 8” plate

1. Shape #227 - Swallows bowl

1. Shape #228 - Katydid ashtray

1. Shape #229 - Dancing Nymphs platter

1. Shape #231 - Dancing Nymphs 6” plate

1. Shape #232* - Dancing Nymphs 8” plate

1. Shape #233 - Dancing Nymphs 10” plate

1. Shape #234* - Dancing Nymphs nappy

1. Shape #235 - Dancing Nymphs 8” bowl

1. Shape #236* - Dancing Nymphs sherbet

1. Shape #237* - Pan vase

1. Shape #238* - Dancing Nymphs water tumbler

1. Shape #239 - missing (DN tumbler vase)

1. Shape #240 - Dancing Nymphs juice glass

1. Shape #242* - Five Fruits covered box

Consolidated patterns as possible missing numbers:

found with Reuben-Line labels: (3 shapes)

1. Catalonian cigarette box* - Hansen has one in butterscotch with label; white (Burke)

2. Florentine pillow vase in custard with brown multi-floral etch*: (Wilson)

3. Hummingbird vase (listed as part of Reuben-Line in Shilloto Display)* RB (Burke); sky blue

(for sale at 2008 convention Wickland); butterscotch (Fig 209 on page 72 of Wilson book)

Consolidated patterns documented in Reuben-Line colors: (31 shapes)):

Bird of Paradise fan vase small*: RB (Burke); pink (2012 MacEachron auction)

Bird of Paradise fan vase large: pink (Fig 195 on page 72 of Wilson book)

Bird of Paradise vase

Catalonian Nasturtium vase: RB (Jiamachello); russet (Burke); white (files)

Catalonian violet vase: white (Burke); orchid (Burke); RB (Burke)

Catalonian candleholders: russet (Burke)

Catalonian swung vase: RB (Burke); sky blue (at past convention)

Catalonian console bowl: white (Burke)

Catalonian 8” plate: russet (past club auction)

Catalonian pinch vase: RB (in Cat powerpoint)

1170 Catalonian RB

Catalonian elephant vase flared top: RB (Wilson)

Chickadee vase

Chrsyanthemum

Cockatoo vase

Cockatoo: whimsey platter: green (2007 auction); butterscotch (Fig 296 on page

79 of Wilson book)

Consolidated patterns documented in Reuben-Line colors: (31 shapes)):

Bird of Paradise Fan Vase, small: known in aqua (Dan Stanley)

Five Fruits pound box: pink (Fig 123 on page 67 of Wilson book)

Floral vase #139

Foxglove vase

Hummingbird large puff box: pink, (for sale at 2008 convention Wickland); green

ebay; butterscotch, Fig 42 on page 62 of Wilson book

Hummingbird small puff box, butterscotch (for sale at past convention)

Hummingbird compote: butterscotch (Fig 72 on page 64 of Wilson book)

Iris candlesticks, tall: pink (Burke)

Iris candleholders, short: pink (for sale in 2011 Wickland room)

Jonquil vase #138

Le Fleur vase

Line 700 10” plate: butterscotch (Fig 410 on page 84 of Wilson book)

Line 700 flared bowl (me, green wash)

Lovebirds banana boat

Lovebirds powder jar: butterscotch (Fig 59 on page 63 of Wilson book)

Mermaid bowl: butterscotch (Fig 285 on page 78 of Wilson book)

Phoenix molds: 36

Reuben-Line with label / (Sculptured Crystal

Series 200 without label)

* denotes example with label in private collection

FoundFound with Reuben-Line labels: 8 1

1. Shape #245* - Figured vase

1. Shape #246* - Philadendron vase

1. Shape #247* - Pine Cone vase

1. Shape #248 - Lily vase, tumbler shape

1. Shape #249 - Lily candleholders

1. Shape #250 - Lily console bowl

1. Shape #251 - missing (perhaps a Lily straight

side bulbous top vase)

1. Shape #252 - Diving Girls banana boat bowl

1. Shape #253 - Primrose vase

1. Shape #254* - Phlox covered candy box

1. Shape #256* - Daisy vase

1. Shape #257* - Flying Geese vase

1. Shape #258* - Tiger Lily bowl

1. Shape #259 - Jonquil platter

1. Shape #261 - Fern vase

1. Shape #262* - Bluebell vase

1. Shape #263 - Phlox ashtray 5 1/2 inches long

1. Shape #264 - Dancing Nudes vase

1. Shape #265 - Cosmos vase

1. Shape #266 - Phlox covered cigarette box

1. Shape #267 - Wild Rose vase

1. Shape #268 - Freesia vase, tumbler shape

1. Shape #269 - Freesia vase, fan shape

1. Shape #270 - Freesia vase, flared shape

1. Shape #271 - candy dish??

1. Shape #272 - Phlox ash tray 3 inches long

1. Shape #275 - Lily, tri-corner vase

1. Shape #277 - Starflower vase

1. Shape #278 - Thistle vase

1. Shape #279 - Madonna vase

1. Shape #280 - Zodiac vase

1. Shape #281 - Phlox 3 compartment covered

box

1. Shape #282 - Jewel vase

1. Shape #283 - Strawberry bowl

1. Shape #284 - Strawberry candleholders

1. Shape #285 - Aster vase

1. Shape #286 - Bachelor Button vase

5 Why is the “Reuben Blue” color such a

problem?

Which are “Reuben-Line” Which are not?


problem?


problem?

Which are “Reuben-Line” Which are not?

Photo credits:

Josh & Rich Bair

Roger Behm

Bill Burke

Sue Cotter

Kathy Hansen

Jeff & Kathy Hayden

Tom Jiamachello

Jim Medeiros

Bill & Jackie Nichols

Dan Stanley

Gary Wickland & Bruce Mueller

Jack Wilson

and the wide spaces of the Internet.

I hope you enjoyed

the presentation.

Happy collecting!

phoenix "reuben line" - updated april 5, 2014

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