Fostoria Vol. I: An Identification and Value Guide of Pressed, Blown & Hand Molded Shapes

A must for collectors of pressed Fostoria! (Note: this book does NOT cover etched, carved or cut designs, because those are in Kerr's *second* book. This one covers the "plain" designs.) Kerr's introduction will help clear up any confusion regarding the layout of the book and the use of original factory numbers. There is a *brief* history of the company, followed by several pages of helpful information on designers, undocumented lines, various marks/stickers, colors, special collections and reproductions (particularly useful). Patterns are documented in three divisions - full dinnerware patterns, smaller casual patterns and giftware lines. A few pages of color photos give the reader a feel for Fostoria, with a focus on the more popular patterns, particularly American. Many of the other patterns have sketches, but a drawback to the book is that some patterns have no description at all. A plus, though, is that all known pieces of each pattern are listed, with a value for each (reached by averaging the amounts reported by several dealers). Manufacture dates are given for each pattern/item, as well as a list of the colors in which they were made.

Kerr's book has been helpful to me not only in identifying Fostoria glassware, but (possibly more so) in ruling out glassware that is *not* Fostoria. (Some dealers tend to label *all* well-made glassware "Fostoria.") Of particular interest to lamp and candlestick collectors is a section near the back of the book, which is devoted entirely to catalog pages of such pieces.

Review by: Chandra (lunar)