The Verlys Moulds: Heisey’s French Connection

Chuck presented a well-researched and documented program tracing the history of Verlys glass, including its relationship with A.H. Heisey & Company. This history began when Otis Mygott, a friend of Augustus Heisey, founded the Holophane Glass Company in 1898, just two years after the founding of A.H. Heisey & Company. Holophane initially designed glass that others manufactured. A.H. Heisey & Company made Holophane’s glass between 1902 and 1911 but ceased doing so because some felt the company didn’t have enough time to manufacture both Heisey and Holophane glass.

Holophane eventually opened its own glassworks, first in Newark, OH, and later in London and France.

Verlys of France opened in 1931 to manufacture art glass. This was followed by Verlys of America in 1935. Both were subsidiaries of Holophane.

Verlys of America used moulds purchased from Verlys of France as well as some designed specifically for the company. Verlys of America ended production in 1951. A.H. Heisey & Company then leased 16 of its moulds and produced Verlys by Heisey from 1955 to 1957. Verlys was then produced by Fenton, 1966 to 2011, and, one item per year was produced by Holophane from 1984 to 2007 to serve as gifts for employees and customers.

Chuck displayed a number of Verlys items by all manufacturers. Those produced by Heisey were a turquoise etched Pine Cone Bowl and turquoise etched Wild Duck Bowl. Those made by Heisey were marked with a “Verlys by Heisey” foil label.