Ladders Vase
By Jerry & Carol Curtis

We found this vase on an RV outing in Oregon in 1992 never knowing anything about it.  Knowledge is a very useful thing! I love it when a mystery is solved. We have shown this vase at conventions and it was in the HOACGA Vase programs a few years ago, and no one had any knowledge of the pattern or maker. I recently ordered a Bill Edwards & Mike Carwile’s Standard Encyclopedia of Pressed Glass ( an old one dated 1999) and have been going through it to try and find some of the unknown pieces we have.

I found the pattern “Ladders” (on page 120 should you have it) and pictured there was one of our mystery pieces! According to this publication, the Ladders pattern was made by the Tarentum Glass Company in 1901.  It was their #292 pattern.  It was made in table sets, water sets, vases, berry sets and cruets.

Of all the years we’ve been collecting and all the places we’ve visited, I have never seen any of this pattern in crystal anywhere! It is know only in crystal, some of with gold trim, and since the Tarentum Glass Company is not known to have made Carnival Glass; this may have been, and probably was, an aftermarket job.

It has four alternating wide panels separating four file-cut “spears”.  It is very thick and heavy glass with the feel of quality cut lead crystal.  It has a delicate iridescence with a yellowish base color.

Measurements:  Height is eight inches -

Left photo -Opening is three and three-eights inches wide.

Right photo - Base two and three-fourths inches.