Collectors Spotlight

Dick Ladd:

I am often asked how I got started collecting cartoon glasses.  It all started over 15 years ago when I use to go with my wife to antique malls looking for American Brilliant Cut Glass.  Talk about the Zenith and the Nadir.  When we would stop to eat I would often buy a glass from the restaurant as a souvenir (No, I didn’t steal them and Yes there’s an idea for you for a new item to collect).  One day, going through an antique shop, I saw a Batman glass on the shelf for $3.00.  I thought it was kind of neat so I bought it.  Several weeks later I began to wonder, “If there is a Batman glass wouldn’t there also be a Robin or Riddler or Joker glass?”  The rest is history. 

Like a lot of collectors my interest has ebbed and flowed.  I have trimmed my collection down and now have about 200 glasses.  I have included a few pictures of my favorites.  I can now get my entire want list, for everything I collect, on one page of a Word document.  I don’t buy many glasses anymore, but I still enjoy finding one on my list.  I am still looking for the old Disney musical notes and athletic series, some of the 1950’s Wizard of Oz glasses and a 1939 Toto glass, which is kind of the family joke.  My birthday and Christmas request is always a 1939 Toto glass.  I don’t know any collector who has one, or has even seen one, but I seem to recall seeing a picture of one in a Wizard of Oz book about 10 years ago. 

One time in a quest for glasses I went to a Depression glass show in the Chicago-land area.  I didn’t find any glasses but I did come away with a new interest.  Like a few other glass collectors I am also interested in Depression glass.  My two main interests in this area are Royal Lace and Morgantown (WV) glass.  These currently take more time and effort than the cartoon glasses. 

I’m not really sure if it’s more difficult to find glasses these days, or its just more difficult to find the ones I am looking for.  Actually, I think the Internet and the auctions have made most of the glasses more available, and many of them cost less than they did 10 or 15 years ago.  When we found a glass back then, we were sure we’d never see another one like that and tended to pay whatever was being asked.  Dealers soon learned this and the prices took off for a few years.  Now, we all realize if you don’t take one today you will probably find another soon.  Of course, the hard to find glasses seem to be the ones that have escalated in price, and they continue to escalate. 

People ask me, "Where do you find glasses?"  I think I find them at the same place everyone else does; wherever you can.  I went to an upscale Depression glass show in White Plaines, NY about a year ago and found a Maxi Hare glass for $20.00.  I took it to the dealer and she asked if $18.00 would be OK?  I had never seen that glass before and I had no idea who Maxi Hare was but I know it was an Old Disney glass and it had to be a good buy at $18.00.  Now that I have found out Maxi Hare belongs with the Tortoise and the Hare, I need a Toby Tortoise glass to go with it.  Does anyone have one?  I’ll pay more that $18.00 for it ;-). That is probably my greatest find ever; along with a Dumbo five black crows glass for $5.00 at an antique mall.  Of course, I have also bought them at the glass shows and auctions and they are closer to fair market value there.  As a friend of mine once said "I’m just glad to have the glass".  That’s something for all of us to think about.