Waterford – the Proud Irish Crystal

Waterford County, Ireland, and its chief city of the same name, sit on the southeast coast of the Irish Republic across St. George’s Channel from Wales. The harbor there is important to the Irish economy, and it’s beautiful coastal setting has made it a popular seaside resort.
In America, however, the name Waterford means only one thing — fine crystal. In fact, in a survey of 30,000 Americans, the Total Research Corporation of Princeton, found that Waterford emerged as number one among the top world class brand names, beating out such notables as Rolls Royce, Kodak and Heinz.
What’s so remarkable about this is that Americans have only known about Waterford crystal for about 50 years. Here’s the story:
In 1783 the Waterford crystal factory was opened by the brothers, George and William Penrose, both talented glass artists, who operated the business successfully until they sold the company to the Gatchell family in 1799.
Under both families the Waterford factory produce high quality flint glass, also called rock crystal (as opposed to lead crystal) with decorative cutting. In the next 50 years, Waterford gained an international reputation as the Gatchells improved the clarity and brightness if the crystal and the artistry of the cuts.
Anyone who knows their Irish history will know what comes next, the Great Famine devastated Ireland after three straight potato crops failed in 1845, ’46 and ‘47.
The famine killed a million and a half people and forced another million to leave the country. Unable to brook those difficult times, Waterford closed its doors in 1851 and would remain closed for nearly a century.
In 1947 Charles Bacik and Bernard Fitzpatrick opened a new Waterford just about a mile and a half from where the old factory had stood. In 1950, they sold the company to the McGrath family who sunk a substantial investment into firm and expanded the export market, especially in the United States.
Waterford is not a splashy crystal. Its cuts are not sharp, deep and complicated, like American Brilliant. Nor, being flint glass, is it as heavy as lead crystal. Waterford is a light airy crystal, with a quiet elegance, a stately grace. It has the lofty reserve of what my grandmother’s neighbor, Mrs. Murphy used to call. “Lace-Curtain Irish.” And there is something lyrically Irish about Waterford’s pattern names – Alana, Carina, Araglin, and the extremely popular Lismore.
Prices for Waterford can be in the lace-curtain range. Wine glasses and goblets are usually about $50-75. Brandy glassy are around $80, champagne flutes and Irish coffee, glasses are over $100 each. Vases range from the tiny $35 posy vase to over $550 for the grand Lismore “Statement” vase. Decanters range from $150 to $300.
Waterford pieces from the post-World War I re-opening of the factory are beginning to show up in antique shops now in significant numbers. With the luck of the Irish, you’ll find some bargains.
One thing that’s crystal clear: If this is St. Patrick’s Day, Spring will be here within the week. And this year especially, that’s a lucky thing for all of us.
Discover the value of your antiques by attending Antique Appraisal Night this coming Tuesday evening (Mar. 23) at 7 p.m. at the Wetlands Institute. The fee is a $20 donation to the Institute, and that entitles you to bring in four items. It’s $5 for each additional item, and $5 if you just want to hang out and observe the fun. There are free refreshments, too. Call 609-368-1211 for more information.
Arthur Schwerdt, a certified appraiser, is the author of “The Antique Story Book: Finding the Real Value of Old Things,” and co-owner of the August Farmhouse Antiques on Route 9 in Swainton. Send your comments, questions and appraisal requests to aschwerdt@cmcherald.com.