A Brief History of Fenton Hobnail Glass
Click here to find over 1300 Fenton Hobnail Glass items to view or buy.
One of Fenton’s most popular designs is the hobnail glass. Fenton hobnail glass is extremely popular, here we will explore a little of the history and examine the popularity of the range in the present day.
Fenton hobnail glass is glassware with a regular pattern of small raised knobs, similar to the hobnail studs used on the soles of sports boots – which is where it gets its name.
The story begins way back in 1936. Frank L. Fenton had a sample of a bottle made by the L.G. Wright Glass Company sitting on his desk. He was visited by Fenton’s Chicago representative, Martin Simpson, who spotted the bottle and was rather taken with it.
He asked if he could take it with him when he returned to Chicago. A few weeks later, the bottle had found a place on Mr. Simpson’s desk, when he in turn was visited by a buyer from the Wrisley Perfume Company. He, like Mr. Simpson, was rather enamored with the strange little bottle. He declared that he was on the lookout for a new bottle design for his perfume, and this seemed to fit the bill.
The sample bottle was actually made back in the 1900s from an old Hobbs, Brockunier and Company mold by The Northwood Company, and in order for Fenton’s to produce the bottle they did have to modify it slightly. The neck was shortened to allow for the stopper, and the small bumps that became the Fenton hobnail glass trademark were more regulated and made more symmetrical.
In 1938, the modified bottle was produced for The Wrisley Perfume Company, and the Fenton hobnail glass range was born. The massive unprecedented popularity of the bottle was surprising, and soon Fenton hobnail glass was producing their own lines.
Fenton hobnail glass began to expand in range and styles in the 50’s. Fenton hobnail glass became so popular the they actually devoted much of their time to its production at his time, banking on it as a sure seller. Indeed, it guided the company through some difficult times for the glassware industry – while others struggled, Fenton hobnail glass retained its popularity.
It was not until 1952 that Fenton hobnail glass was combined with the Fenton milk glass range – it was this combination that allowed the company to expand, and soon became their top selling range.
Fenton hobnail glass produced before 1958 is reputed to be more readily distinguishable due to its less dense texture than the Fenton hobnail glass from later periods. The Fenton logo was also applied to all works after 1974.
Today, Fenton hobnail glass has become known as their trademark, and is known throughout the world by collectors and hobbyists alike. It is by far their most famous range – according to internet search statistics there are approximately 8100 searches for Fenton hobnail glass per month, compared to just (!) 3600 for the Fenton milk glass range.
Click here to find over 1300 Fenton Hobnail Glass items to view or buy.
