Q: This glass pitcher has been in my family for over 100 years. It originally belonged to my great-grandmother and eventually passed to me. My father always referred to it as a "beehive" pitcher, presumably because of the pattern in the glass. It's engraved "Pat. 1865" under the handle near the bottom of the pitcher. Does the date tell when it was made? Can you tell us the maker or history of this pitcher?
A: The patent was granted to William T. Gillinder of Philadelphia for "an improvement in blow-pipes" for glassblowers. The tool combined a plunger, blowpipe, and snap clamp that allowed the glassblower to simultaneously shape the object and its attached handle. He claimed it produced "more uniform and better finished articles." The pattern on your pitcher, often called "Honeycomb," was made by several glass companies. It's not possible to tell from a picture which one made your pitcher. It may have been made by Gillinder & Sons. One like it was recently offered for sale at an online shop for $170.
