Colonial National Historical Park Appraisal

Colonial National Historical Park Glass Pitcher with Informational Booklet

This item consists of a light green, clear glass pitcher accompanied by a small, folded informational booklet. The pitcher features a classic, somewhat conical body that tapers to a narrower neck, which then flares out to a gentle spout. A C-shaped handle is attached to the side, extending from just under the rim to the upper body, exhibiting a comfortable grip design. The glass appears hand-blown, characterized by slight irregularities, visible bubbles within the glass (indicative of older glassmaking techniques), and a somewhat uneven surface texture, suggesting artisanal craftsmanship rather than mass machine production. The color is a subtle, pale green, often associated with natural iron impurities in sand used in early glass manufacturing, or intentionally added for aesthetic reasons. The pitcher's base is not clearly visible, but the overall structure suggests a sturdy, utilitarian piece. No obvious cracks, chips, or significant damage are apparent, although detailed inspection of the rim and base would be necessary for a full condition report. The accompanying booklet, made of aged, light brown paper, reads 'COLONIAL NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK' and describes 'The 'Glasshouse Demonstra-' being carried on by the National Park Service in conjunction with the Eastern National Park and Memorial Association. It states that income from the sale of glassware made there is used to operate and maintain the historical site. The booklet features a decorative border of floral-like motifs and a silhouette graphic of a colonial-era figure blowing glass. This provenance strongly suggests the pitcher is a replica or souvenir piece, historically made at the Colonial National Historical Park's glass blowing demonstration, likely dating from the mid-20th century to the present day. The craftsmanship points to a tourist item of good quality, designed to evoke historical glassmaking.