The Jeannette Glassware company, originally Jeannette Bottle Works, was founded in 1888. The company initially produced bottles before moving to headlights for the automotive industry and glass blocks for housing. They found their calling, producing dinnerware and tableware around the 1920s.
The company closed just short of a century in business, but during its heyday, they were quite popular for its unique glass types. One of several means, most using the letter “J,” identifies Jeannette Glassware. You can find a “J” in either a square or triangle on the bottom of the piece. A “J” can also be found in the bowl of a goblet. Another identification tip is that the company used a curly, abstract “J” on some of their pieces, or simply the phrase “Jeannette Home Packer.
Identification of Jeannette Glass
The Jeannette Glassware company was one of seven companies that produced glassware known as Depression glass. They thrived in their use of color, producing patterns in pink, green, and ultramarine.
The company also produced a line of bakeware, milk glass, and the highly popular Jadeite. Also within their glass molds were animal-themed pieces, which you can find selling on both eBay and Etsy. These pieces were typically smaller and considered accessory pieces, such as candy dishes and trinket bowls.
Despite multiple trademarks, there are many pieces of Jeannette Glass that were never identified. Those that had the telltale “J.” This “J” is found within a triangle or a square on the bottom of the glassware. It’s noted that the mark might seem reversed when looking at the bottom of the piece, but if you look through the glass to the mark, the “J” is the correct alignment. For instance, looking into stemware, you could see the “J” right side up at the bottom of the glass.
Missing Identification of Jeannette Glass
Unfortunately, for whatever reason, not all Jeannette glassware was marked for identification. In fact, many of the marked pieces are goblets, glassware, and other footed pieces. As these were only a small portion of their production, it seems that they did not mark the majority of the pieces with any of their trademarks.
You might wonder how to identify the unmarked pieces. To do so, you would need to be familiar with their many patterns. During the depression era, from 1928 through 1938, the company produced 14 distinct patterns, which were all popular. Within these, they also produced children’s sets. The following list and descriptions for many of the Jeannette Glassware patterns can be found here in more detail. This list goes beyond simply their Depression glass patterns. You can also connect with an appraiser on this site if you are curious about the value of your Depression glass collection.
Jenny Ware–produced in green and blue
Adam–produced in blue, pink, crystal, yellow, and green
Anniversary–pink and platinum, gold or crystal
Floragold–marigold iridescent
Baltimore Pear–crystal
Feather–crystal, blue or crystal trimmed with gold
Butterfly–crystal (the trim is gold, and some have iridescent golden hues)
Camellia–produced in crystal or crystal trimmed with gold
Cherry Blossom–blue, green, jadeite, pink, crystal, and yellow
Sunflower–green, pink or blue
Crackle–iridescent marigold
Cube–amber, yellow, blue, green, pink, red, “ultramarine,” Milk Glass or crystal
Dewdrop–crystal
Iris and Herringbone–two-toned blue and green, green, gold iridescent, pink, frosted two-toned red-yellow, “ruby flash” trimmed in gold, amethyst, crystal, two-toned green-yellow, Milk Glass, two-toned red-yellow, blue or “ruby flash.”
Diamond Point–amber, amethyst, green, blue, red, crystal, amberina, or teal.
National–crystal trimmed with gold, “ruby flash,” or crystal Doric and Pansy–pink, blue, yellow, crystal, teal, or gold iridescent
Floral (Poinsettia flower)–amber, green, pink, crystal, blue, jadeite, or yellow
Glassbake–Milk Glass or crystal
Gondola–blue, marigold iridescent, crystal trimmed with gold or Milk Glass
Hellenic–blue, green, cranberry, or Milk Glass
Hex Optic–crystal, gold incandescent, “ultramarine,” green or pink
Holiday–crystal, pink, or gold iridescent
Egg Nog–marigold iridescent
Homespun–pink, yellow or clear
Wedding–blue, crystal trimmed in gold, marigold iridescent, amberina, crystal, green or red
Lombard–Milk Glass, two-toned blue-green, green, crystal, amber, gold trim, and gold iridescent
Louisa–blue, crystal, pink, amerbina, two-toned blue-green or gold iridescent
Shell Pink Milk Glass–pink
Venetian–gold
Sierra–pink, “ultramarine,” or green
Sunburst (Herringbone)–crystal
Thumbprint–crystal trimmed with gold, amber, or crystal
Swirl–blue, pink, amber, ice blue, or “ultramarine.”
Tree Bark (and Tree Park Variant)–crystal, marigold iridescent
Windsor–blue, ice blue, marigold iridescent, green, crystal, Milk Glass, pink, red, yellow, or amber
What Is Jeannette Glassware worth?
The value of glass varies from piece to piece and is contingent on how many pieces were produced. For instance, original Jeannette dinnerware is harder to find as they moved from dinnerware to gifted glassware around the 1940s. Therefore, their dinnerware pieces might be worth more than some more common pieces.
The Cubist butter dish, made from 1929 to 1933, is a highly sought-after piece simply for its domed cover. You can find the dish for under $10 on many sites, but if you search for a complete set, including the dome, you will pay closer to $50.
The Iris “Corsage” Wine Stem is also another popular piece. With a gold rim and purple and red irises, they did not produce these in the same numbers as the plain Iris Wine Stem. Online, you can find one of the wine stems for $25.
Also in the Iris collection is the Iris Iridescent Butter Dish. This butter dish, like the Cubist butter dish, is more valuable with its domed lid than without. Together, you can purchase the pair from $36 to $50.
Last but not least, the Windsor Pink Pitcher was produced for ten years, between 1936 and 1946. This pink pitcher is distinctive thanks to its textured geometrical pattern. Someone can typically find this piece for under $35, but years ago, its value was more on the higher end.
Conclusion
With so many unique patterns, Jeannette Glassware is worth considering for your glassware collection. The company’s varied history in glassmaking and willingness to produce out-of-the-box glassware will bring excitement to any collection. You can focus on their animal-themed accessories or seek out the harder-to-find dinnerware. No matter what you choose, you are sure to love your Jeannette Glassware choice.
