The Golden Age of English Glass 1650-1775 Hardcover – 11 May 2011

This is an essential book for anyone seriously interested in early English glass. The substantial book contains detailed and well researched text and is very well illustrated.

Lots and lots of background history for anyone interested in collecting antique drinking glasses.

This book moves our knowledge of the history, manufacturing, selling, and use of glasses in the Georgian era considerably. It does borrow from earlier books but there is masses of new information and it is presented very clearly.The pictures are excellent and the amount of information about each piece, its provenance, showing, similar items, etc. is overwhelming.The only down side is that most of the pieces are museum quality and unlikely to be owned by the day to day glass collector.For the glasses you may be able to afford get Bickerton. Not so cerebral but lots of lovely photos of affordable glasses.

This book may be considered as one of the most interesting books on English glass (1650-1775) in the development of the English glass industry for the last 25 years.The book differs from its predecessors because of its comprehensive survey of objects discussed in depth based on extensive research and experience.After a short history of glassmaking in England, including tools used by glassblowers, and a survey of drinking in England the author systematically builds up the book on English glassware of lead glass, gadrooning, drinking glasses with heavy-baluster stems, diamond-point engraving, wheel-engraved English glass, panel-moulded stems, Jacobite glass, glasses with internal spirals in their stems, gilding on glass, glass candlesticks, "branches" and chandeliers, window glass, plate glass and mirrors, English black-glass bottles.The heart of the book is built up around the important glass and bottle collection from John H. Bryan illustrating 148 items in full colour. Many of the objects in the book are of great rarity, importance, and beautiful photographed.The history of English glass (1650-1775) and the collection is very well researched and written, easy to read and understand, magnificently illustrated by 192 figures such as paintings, engravings, the techniques used for glassmaking and decorating, etc. The chapter on English black-glass bottles illustrates the unique evolution of English "wine" bottles from the beginning 1650 up to 1809 with bottles sealed and dated for each decade. In order to better understand what the objects meant, the author expanded upon the surrounding social, technological, and historical milieu for each object and reevaluates the history of glassmaking in England during the period 1650-1775, lead glass included.The book is a luxury edition, hardback, attractive dust jacket, made of high quality paper inside, well bound, and excellent printing. The price is very reasonable for it's quality.I highly recommend this book, which should be in each library of the serious glass collector.

Excellent book.