Vintage Canadian Art Glass: Unraveling Chalet Glass Advertisements, Pricing, and Names
- lunasabrina
- Nov 5, 2023
- 3 min read
Updated: Jan 17, 2024
As collectors of vintage Canadian art glass, we like to think the names we used were created by the collector community. However, like all things that seem speculative, I decided it was worth figuring out if that is truly the case for all the pieces. I took yet another vintage glass deep dive into some archives and dug out old Chalet glass advertisements of its era. We can see how the pieces were marketed, named and priced. This brings me to my second thought, were the pieces priced as they are in today’s market? Let me clarify that thought, for example is a vase more expensive than a stretch, or vice versa.
To begin to answer this question let’s rank the basic forms based on pricing (number one being the most expensive):
Vases
Baskets
Stretches
Gondolas
Ashtrays
This ranking was created based on extensive sold records from 2020-2023. To understand the collector terminology, check out my blog post about it by clicking below!
Now, let's dive into the naming conventions. It's evident in the 1960s that these glass pieces were categorized into four fundamental names: vases, baskets, bowls, and ashtrays. Notably, the names of vases, baskets, and ashtrays have remained unchanged over time. However, the evolution of the "bowls" category is a fascinating narrative. It encompasses pieces that collectors have reclassified into their own distinct categories, such as Stretches, Gondolas, and Spike & Curls. Intriguingly, these varied forms were once simplistically referred to as "bowls." The transformation in nomenclature reflects the discerning eye of the collector community.
Now, let's dive into the captivating realm of pricing. The most startling price disparity is associated with the gondola. In today's market, the gondola is often a hard sell and tends to be priced relatively low. However, in the 1960s, the gondola held a position among the highest-priced glass pieces. In 1965, it was frequently listed at $40 CAD, but could be found on sale for $24.99, which, when adjusted for inflation, equates to $378.38 on sale for $236.39 in today's market.
The Gondola
Price range then | Price range now |
|---|---|
$40 Reg. - 24.99 (1960s) 2023 conversion $236.39- Â378.38 | ​$125-160 (2023) |
The trend surrounding vases endures, with these pieces consistently fetching higher prices than other forms. While occasional sales may level the pricing field, they are typically considered outliers in market data and do not significantly influence an item's price. For instance, in 1965, one retailer offered a special sale on vases, baskets, bowls, and ashtrays, pricing them all at a uniform $5.99 CAD. Such pricing, however, is considered an anomaly within the broader pricing trend.
In certain advertisements from 1964 and 1967, a more stable pricing pattern emerges, with vases either commanding the highest price or being on par with baskets, while ashtrays are consistently the most affordable.
Price list comparison
​1960s - Then 1. Gondola 2. Vases 3. Baskets 4. Bowls (stretches, spike & curls, etc.) 5. Ashtrays | ​2023 - Now 1. Vases 2. Baskets 3. Stretches 4. Gondola 5. Ashtrays |
*Ranked most expensive to least
Vases
​Average Pricing Then | Average Pricing Now |
$15.75 (1960s) 2023 conversion $151.34 | ​$150 (2023) |
Baskets
​Average Pricing Then | ​Average Pricing Now |
​$13.20 (1960s) 2023 conversion $122.97 | $116 ( 2023) |
Bowls
​Average Pricing Then | ​Average Pricing Now |
$10.99 (1960s) 2023 conversion $104.05 | ​Stretches $158 (2023) Spike & Curl 95.83 (2023) Average "bowls" price $126.92 (2023) |
Ashtrays
​Average Pricing Then | ​Average Pricing Now |
$7.12 (1960s) 2023 conversion $66.22 | $68.33 (2023) |
Note: Average pricing for today’s market was extrapolated from sales records spanning 2020 to 2023.
From the data above what a shocking discovery! The prices are on par with inflation this is quite remarkable, the vintage Canadian art glass pieces were often sold at prices similar to their current values. For collectors yearning for the golden era of glass collecting …think again…we would be in the same price predicament.
An interesting observation from these historical advertisements is that they often featured a range of colors, such as tangerine, amber, aqua, or olive all for the same price. Nowadays, the color of a piece plays a pivotal role in determining its value. For example, a piece in amber might not hold the same worth as one in aqua.
The takeaway here is that, while some trends regarding prices and names have endured, collecting, like life itself, evolves over time. In the world of collecting, change often mirrors the evolving tastes and preferences of collectors. In the realm of vintage Canadian art glass, those pieces that best adapt to shifting décor and style preferences will remain treasured and timeless.
