Crystallograph,
A Process for Preparing Glass Molds
     As we learned from the Lesson on other methods of colorless decor, most EAPG was fancy because of the decoration left from the mold - that is - the design was formed on the surface of the pieces because the mold was cut to reflect a design. When the mold was filled with molten glass, the resultant product was irregular on the surface from the start. The design so formed is what we call the pattern.
    This lesson is all about an early, rather obscure process that not even the originator of the technique named.... at least that we know of.  It is called "Crystalloid" in catalogs, "Crystallograph" in early publications and we are sticking with "Crystallography" which is what most latter day glassies seem to prefer.  You can call it whatever you want to.
Following are excerpts from Earl Autenreith's articles
about this process, used by permission.
    Certain unusual patterns of EAPG are intriguing, not because the actual pattern itself is so unusual, but rather because of the way the pattern appears.  On some pieces with this decor, the figures are depressed below the surface of the glass but on most pieces the design is raised off the glass surface. This unique process has the distinction of being the world's most difficult glass to photograph (personal observation) and will lead us to learn about this method of preparation of the mold.
    On the right is an example of crystallography decor on a mug with an owl and some branches.
     Above is a rare mug created in 1879 for the 1878 H.M.S. Pinafore musical by Gilbert and Sullivan.  It is for sale in our Mug Store.
     Crystallography is a process of preparing glass molds developed by Henry Feurhake, a printer and lithographer in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Patent No. 219.245 was granted to him on September 2, 1879, describing the process as follows.
      --First the design is printed on paper, "the ink being applied when a lithograph stone is used by a composition roller and the stone kept dry."
      --Second, the design is transferred to the surface of the mold to be etched.
      --Third, the application of an acid resisting powder increases the density of the transferred ink.
      --Finally the acid is applied to the unprotected surface of the mold to "etch the mold."
      The resulting glass pressed from this mold has a granular surface with clear, intaglio figures forming the design. This process must have been a difficult one since the use of it seems to have been short-lived.
       Because the patent was granted to Feurhake and assigned to Washington Beck, a well-known mold maker in Pittsburgh, it is presumed that Feurhake and Beck made the known molds for crystallography designs.
    The Dithridge Fort Pitt Glass Works issued a catalogue (printed by "Armor, Feurhake & Co., Ltd. Lith. Pittb") in January 1880**  offering "Crystalloid Glass Ware." See at Right
   
    This catalogue page shows a limited production of crystalloid glassware: a number of pieces in a pattern they called Stork (or some now call Blue Heron - Kamm 4 pg 24) are illustrated as well as an unnamed pattern covered marmalade jar showing an elk.  That goblet is known today as Flying Stork.

Above are pictured two pieces shown in that Ft. Pitt Glass Works Catalog
On the left is the spooner in the pattern we now call Blue Heron
& on the right is a footed sauce dish in the same pattern.
    Another page from a Ft. Pitt Glass Works catalog shows a goblet decorated with an owl surrounded by what appears to be a horseshoe (seen below). The catalogue pictures and lists prices for two mugs.
   Also shown in the catalog are a Stork covered high standard compote and water pitcher and a covered compote in the unnamed Elk pattern. A lace-patterned cheese plate & a bread plate also appear in the price list. Other pieces in the pictured patterns may exist.
Here is the above mentioned (extremely difficult to photograph)
goblet known today as Ta Dah...... Owl in Horseshoe!
     The bread plate that might have been referenced in the price list with this decor might be this one called Aoelis (which see in our Bread Plate Store).  Another possibility could be the one called Cupid or Virginia Dare by various folks.
According to the American Pottery and Glassware Reporter for October 2, 1879,
" Washington Beck has just got out molds for three additional pieces of ware in the crystallograph series now being made by the Dithridge & Co. of the Fort Pitt Glass Works... [The three additional molds] ...include a mug to match 'Little Bo-Peep,' to be known as "Little Buttercup" and having scenes from the familiar 'Pinafore' on it; the others are for six such comports, one of vine pattern, the others having a boy, chickens, houses, etc."
We believe we have finally found an example of the bowl referred to at left!  It is about 6" diameter at the top. See close-up photos below of the boy fishing on left & chickens on right.

More from the American Pottery & Glassware Reporter, " Mr. Henry Feurhake, late of Armor, Feurhake & Co., is the designer for the new factory... Five pressers are now in use, all built by Washington Beck... The molds are from the same establishment. They include a fine line of the new crystallograph series, patented lately by Messrs. Beck and Feurhake... Since then the patterns have been wonderfully improved and still further changes for the better are contemplated... It is the purpose of the management to make a full line of tableware, bar goods, etc. with crystallograph as a specialty. In the latter they are making a beer mug of a very handsome pattern, uniquely decorated." (See Becky's photo)

This type of glass is the product only of Dithridge & Co. (Fort Pitt Glass Works) for early known patterns, or Riverside Glass Works for some designs. Feurhake Beck, as owners of the patent would likely have taken molds, used at Fort Pitt, with them to Riverside. 
   The American Pottery and Glassware Reporter for January 29, 1880, reported that Riverside Glass Works, Wellsburg, West Virginia, began operations on January 26, 1880.
      Becky Lyle, a collector who specializes in and has done much research in Riverside Glass believes that the Psyche and Cupid pattern, made by the crystallograph method, previously unattributed, is very likely a product of Riverside Glass Works. Other patterns of the crystallograph method may exist.  Becky thinks there is a very good chance that Grasshopper and Jersey Lily were made using, in part, the crystalloid technique. The swirl and detailed pattern designs on them are very much like the little mug #87, known as the "Picture Frame" mug that was also found in the 1883 factory catalog.  In the patent, Feurhake talks about etching out the mold metal with acid more than once to get different levels of depth into the molds.  That's why you'll see a very shallow depth in some, like in Psyche & Cupid, Cupid's Hunt, and some of the mugs, and, deeper acid etched molds like the Picture Frame mug, Grasshopper, and Jersey Lily.  
The process, for whatever reason - difficulty with working or cleaning the molds, or lack of popularity of the designs - appears to have been short-lived.
Any pieces found would have to be considered rare."
Further research may discover other patterns. Be on the lookout!

PatternGlass.com is grateful for and indebted to Earl Autenreith,
Kat Krivda and Becky Lyle for providing the information for this Lesson.
    ** Fort Pitt Glass Works Catalogue, January, 1880 Courtesy of Kirk Nelson, Curator of Glass at the Sandwich Museum