January 2009 Alerts on Confusing Collectibles

Miniature reproductions of Degenhart glass figurines and other designs are being made by Mosser Glass of Cambridge, Ohio. The repros are sold at the Degenhart Paperweight and Glass Museum in Cambridge. New pieces are marked with an underlined D-in-heart. Original Degenhart pieces made from 1972 to 1978 by the Crystal Art Glass Co. of Cambridge were marked with the D-in-heart without an underline. When Crystal Art Glass closed in 1978 after Elizabeth Degenhart died, its molds were sold to Bernard C. Boyd and his son, Bernard F. Boyd. The Boyds are using the old molds, but are marking pieces with their own marks.

Reed & Barton is making a series of Victorian Revival silver-plated napkin rings. Reed & Barton made similar figural napkin rings in the late 1800s. The 11 new figural napkin rings, pictured at ReedandBarton.com, feature a dog, butterfly, giraffe, turkey, rooster, horse, peacock, rabbit, monkey, frog and lighthouse. Some are close replicas of antique napkin rings; others are new designs.