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| 8.25" water goblet |
The Cataract Company in Buffalo NY, founded and run by Alfred Sharpe, was a glass decorating company––they cut, engraved and even etched blank stemware services. They were primarily a good quality mid-range company, but occasionally vered into the realm of luxury.
The water goblet above and following pictures are their 1010-2 stemware pieces. These were featured in a table scene in a 1941 movie, which suggests that they were designed in 1939 or 1940.
What makes them unusual are the cut & polished seven sided stems––which flare into a massive lapidary collar. The blanks are probably from Libbey.
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| Low Goblet |
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| Champagne |
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| Iced Tea |
Hi, I own the "Frontenac" pattern, and after doing lots of research, the oldest advertising for it that I have found is from the beginning of 1936. Although most research I have found about The Cataract-Sharpe Company says they were founded in 1914, they must have been founded earlier than that. I have literally read the appellate brief for a 1932 court proceeding regarding Libbey's Safedge glass, in which Earl W. Beck, General Manager of Cataract-Sharpe, testified that he had been working for 20 years for the company! That means that they must have been around by 1911! With that said, I wish I could find who provided the blanks for my pattern. In that brief they explain that they began using Libbey in 1929, and I know they previously bought blanks from Heisey and Bryce Brothers, as well as a company they mention in the brief's deposition, which stunned me: St. Louis Glass Company (?????). Was there ever a St. Louis Glass Company in the US???? Anyway, loved your page (and read all entries!) so thank you for sharing your expertise and gorgeous pictures. If you happen to know anything else about the pattern or the blank maker, please let me know! :)
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