Introduction

This cross reference list all of the items included in four of the most used milk glass reference books - E.M. Belknap's Milk Glass; S.T. Millard's Opaque Glass; Regis & Mary Ferson's Yesterday's Milk Glass Today; and Bob & Betty Newbounds Encyclopedia of Milk Glass. As time permits (and if I can obtain a readable copy of the second or third edition of Warman's Milk Glass Addenda) I will add a column for the Warman information. This cross reference listing was inspired by my frustration in trying to locate items I was looking for in the standard milk glass literature. I knew they were there, but lacking a photographic memory I'd have to search through each of the indexes. Every time I wanted to purchase an item or saw something for sale, but didn't know who made it or when, I'd start the search all over again. Compounding the problem was the differences in the names that each of the authors gave to the same item. . . Well, anyway, if you're familiar with these books you know what I mean.

In preparing this cross reference, one of the benefits was my gaining quite a bit of knowledge. I submitted over 50 possible Reference Book Updates to the Opaque News (the Official Publication of the National Milk Glass Collectors Society). They ranged from identifying a heretofore unknown pattern and the maker to whimsical entries such as the Pinion Stem Lamp shown in Millard, Plate 260 that is pictured upside down.

I had to make several subjective decisions along the way. Most difficult was the abundance of differences among the authors as to what category to group the item in. A case in point is my section on Bowls, Dishes, Nappies, Sauces & Tureens and the one on Compotes & Covered Dishes. Authors didn't agree on the definitions of bowls, dish, nappies, and compotes. Therefore, what one identifies as a bowl, another identifies as a compote. Covered candy dishes & bowls were particularly troublesome. If you have difficulty finding what you are looking for in one category, try checking the other - you'll probably find it there.

Only one other convention needs explaining. When you see an entry followed by a second (and sometimes third) pattern name in the first column, that means that either the pattern had been assigned different names, or that since the publication of the particular reference book, others have positively identified the correct pattern name through old advertising flyers or catalogs. Every item with more than one pattern name will have multiple listings in the same section - one for each pattern name.

Enjoy and I hope this helps you find the piece of glass you're looking for!

Barton Gardner