N.B.: It should be noted that for each design patent discussed in these three cases (A to C) -- a total of five patents -- there is no direct or indirect mention in the patent's specification, nor is there any implication there, that the pattern under discussion was designed with cut glass in mind. This fact does not, however, preclude the possibility that the cutter's wheel was used at some time in the past to produce the pattern. While the writer believes that each of these patents was originally intended for PRESSED glass, the reader must make up his own mind.
The image on the left is taken from Pearson (1965) because the patent's drawing is currently "unavailable" at the USPTO site. Revi (1965, p. 359) also reproduces this drawing, but he has removed the letters that are referred to in the patent's specification.
1. "Henry C. Fry took out the first patent for a cut glass pattern ever issued, in 1868." (Daniel 1950, p. 297)
2. "Henry Clay Fry as early as November 3, 1868 secured the first patent for a cut glass design. His own glass factory, however, was not established in Rochester, Pennsylvania, until 1900." (Pearson 1965, p. 122)
3. "Some time before 1867, Henry Clay Fry and William A. Scott established a glass factory in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, known as Fry & Scott. During this early period of Fry's activities in the glass trade, he patented a design for a cut glass pattern consisting of large flutes and angular, or sharp-pointed, projections, as is shown in his patent illustration. The patent, dated November 3, 1868, was assigned to 'himself, Frank Semple, and John D. Reynolds,' and obviously these men were also associated with Fry in his first glass business." (Revi 1965, p. 358)
COMMENT: Recently the writer saw an example of this "Fry" pattern on a pressed-glass bowl of lead glass at an antiques mall. The glass metal was bright, and the bowl had been formed in a 12-part mold. It is assumed that the item is a twentieth century reproduction, possibly imported.
Updated 5 Mar 2002