Egg cup performs some double duty
CREATORS SYNDICATE
Q: This is an antique milk glass double egg cup. It stands about 4 inches tall, has a basket weave pattern and is in mint condition. On the inside of the small part are the words “Pat’d June 30th, 1874.” When I hold the cup to the light, I can see a redorange flame quality to the glass. I have had it for over 50 years and would like to know more about its maker, age and value.
A: Your opaque double egg cup is a good example of antique opal milk glass. The flame you see when the cup is held to the light is similar to fire opal stones. The smaller portion of the cup was used for placing a softboiled egg, and the larger part is for an egg that has been broken. The patented date, “June 30th, 1874” documents when the pattern was registered with the government. Atterbury Glass Co. made your cup. They were in business in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, from 1859 to 1902. Their basket-weave pattern was available in several other pieces that include cream pitchers, candy dishes and sugar bowls. Opaque milk glass was also made in blue and green. Whimsical milk glass pieces were made in the late 1800s. Covered chickens, covered ducks and animal figures appeal to collectors of milk glass.
Milk glass production reached a peak in the late 1800s and waned after World War I. Your circa-1874 double cup egg dish would probably be worth $25 to $50. Address your questions to Anne McCollam, P. O. Box 247, Notre Dame, IN 46556. Items of a general interest will be answered in this column. Due to the volume of inquiries, she cannot answer individual letters.