Lancaster Glass Company

Lancaster Glass Company

Company type	Private
Industry	Glassware manufacturing
Founded	July 1908 (1908-07)
Founder	Lucien B. Martin, L. Phillip Martin
Defunct	1937 (1937)
Fate	Acquired by Anchor Hocking
Headquarters	Lancaster , United States
Area served	United States
Products	Tableware, kitchen glassware, depression glass
Number of employees	200 (1908)

The Lancaster Glass Company operated as a glassware producer in Lancaster, Ohio from 1908 until 1937. Renowned for its contributions to the depression glass sector, Lancaster was among the pioneers in introducing vibrant colors to the glassware market during the Great Depression era.

History

Established in July 1908 by Lucien B. Martin alongside his son L. Phillip Martin, the enterprise swiftly set up a manufacturing facility in Lancaster, Ohio, which employed approximately 200 individuals by the end of its inaugural year.

The company concentrated on producing tableware and kitchen glass items, frequently categorized as elegant glass due to the application of multiple refining techniques that elevated the quality of their products.

In 1924, Anchor Hocking took ownership of Lancaster Glass Company but maintained production under the Lancaster brand until 1937. Following that year, the plant was incorporated into Anchor Hocking as Plant #2, a facility that continues operations to this day.

Patterns and colors

Lancaster’s catalog included a variety of well-known patterns such as No. 906 Open Work, Jody, Marguerite, Morning Glory, and Sunshine, which were largely ornamental rather than intended for everyday table use. Their prominent tableware collections featured No. 1200 Jubilee and No. 203 Patrick.

The company initially produced pressed single-color crystal glass available in hues like rose, topaz, green, and turquoise. During the 1920s, Lancaster broadened its offerings by introducing multi-colored pieces adorned with etched designs.

Among the most collectible items are those from the Sphinx pattern and colored Cable or Petal lines embellished with Corn Flower etching created by the W. J. Hughes Corn Flower Company. After 1937, several Lancaster designs were continued under the Anchor Hocking label.

List of patterns

• Cable
• Cane Landrum
• Debbra
• Deco Brocade
• Jody
• Lana
• Marguerite
• Mermaid
• Morning Glory
• No. 1200 Jubilee
• No. 203 Patrick
• No. 906 Open Work
• Petal
• Sunshine
• Sphinx

Further reading

• Zastowney, John P. Lancaster Glass Company, 1908-1937: Identification & Value Guide. Collector Books, 2007.