Back to The Chapogas Glass Home Page The Oregon Vintage Times Home Page What does Chapogas Glass Have For Sale?? Opalescent Seaweed By George Chapogas Since I was able to find a great piece at the Eugene, Oregon Piccadilly Flea Market I will publish this article to be sure I never find a valuable (see Seaweed covered sugar pictured) Seaweed Opal “sleeper” again. Opalescent Seaweed was made by Hobbs, Brockunier & company, and Hobbs Glass Co. circa 1891, some shapes were later made by Beaumont Glass, (circa 1900)  and possibly later at the Northwood plant in Wheeling until as late as 1902. Hobbs, Brockunier & company was the only firm to make the complete line so the table set pieces are quite a find, particularly if you see one in a satin finish. The Seaweed line at H.B.&C. was extensive. Water sets in several shapes, cruets in the bulbous and Indiana (later) mold shape, shakers, (sugar shaker is very rare) syrups, table sets (look for the butter on a clear blown base with a polished pontil), 4 shapes of bitters/barber bottles (3 pictured, rare “teepee” shape is missing), Berry sets, celery vases, Night, and oil lights, very rare toothpick holders, a rose bowl and pickle castor inserts. With all these pieces made we can still call every piece scarce with many in the very rare category. Well that must mean a pricey pattern right? Well that’s why you need to keep a look out at all those sales you go to. Cranberry Opalescent retail prices for the water sets can run from $1,200 to $1,600 depending on quality, Cruets-$695, Bitters/Barebor bottles in Bulbous $400, Pepsi or Teepee, $600, and Square shape an easy $500. Blue, and White opal prices should be reduced accordingly. I had thought that no Vaseline was made in this pattern, however in the new Hobbs book (Neila, Bredehoft) a picture of a beautiful covered sugar in Vaseline opal is on page 129. No reproductions exist in this pattern. So maybe your thinking, “I won’t save this article”. Well at the last Copper Penny show at the Lane County Fairgrounds in Eugene Oregon not more than 50 feet from where this periodical was laying, with an article about Spanish Lace Opalescent, this author found 2 extremely rare Vaseline Opalescent  Spanish Lace Lamp shades. I shipped them back East to a friend of a friend who is writing a new book on Opalescent Lamps. They are unknown in this shape and size (I think they’re English). The price I paid was $80. Not a single dealer, or customer who read the article remembered when they went past these two shades. Knowledge is money folks! Keep your eyes peeled!
In conjunction with the Vintage Times new policy of publishing actual NW selling prices each issue I will post my actual selling prices as well. It’s another good reason to pick up each issue of VT!  Items sold and prices in the last 30 days: Blue Opal Seaweed covered sugar found at flea market $270, Blue Opalescent Reverse Swirl water pitcher $320 Cranberry Opal Parian Swirl Daisy and Fern sugar shaker $305 Chrysanthemum Base Swirl White Opal cruet $110 Ribbed Opal Lattice White Opal cruet $100, Blue Opal Polka Dot barber bottle (old) $180, Leaf Mold Cranberry Vaseline spatter syrup $495 Clover Leaf Crimp Cranberry Opal Coin Spot water pitcher $320 Amberina cruet Swirl Mold $200 (nick in ruffle) Lemon Leaf Umbrella Glossy water pitcher $359.  Spanish Lace Vaseline Opal Butter dish $445. Consolidated Glass White Guttate with gold mica flakes $120. West Virginia Optic Mold White Opal Daisy and Fern syrup found at Flea Market $165. Rare Webb Continental Custard large compote. I Found it at the Copper Penny show for $100, and sold for $270.  By the way is there an interest out there in custard glass? It would take a few columns but let me know if there is.  Thanks for all the calls, e-mail and letters!  I have appreciated being able to see some pieces I have been shown. Because of your expressed  interest in  Daisy and Fern, I will begin work on that column. Stay tuned.
If you have a piece you are looking for, have one to sell, or would just like to talk glass, call George at (541) 485-8601, gcblues@aol.com