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Author
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Topic: Help identifying Apollo commemorative glass
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MadSci
Member Posts: 226
From: Maryland, USA
Registered: Oct 2008
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posted 06-14-2015 04:00 PM
  
I am trying to help a friend identify and possibly get an idea of the value of an Apollo commemorative glass. Like many such stories, this one begins with recently deceased father who worked for a contractor for NASA during the 60's. His widow was clearing out some of his things and found this glass. It's a nice piece of work, is made of glass, not plastic, and has what appears to be a generous amount of gold leaf in it.  The "background" scene of the lunar horizon and Earth is printed on the inside of the far side of the glass opposite the eagle coming in to land:  It was accompanied by a handwritten note stating that this was given to him by NASA to commemorate the Apollo 11 landing. I just wonder if anyone has ever seen a glass like this, or has any idea where it might have come from. They are also curious whether it has any value, other than sentimental. I rather doubt it, as the lack of documentation and the over all look of it makes me think it might have been produced by NASA or a contractor as a gift to the 'troops' to commemorate the landing. As such there would probably be many of them, and while a nice family heirloom, I doubt it is of significant value. Any input would be appreciated! |
Tykeanaut
Member Posts: 2212
From: Worcestershire, England, UK.
Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 06-15-2015 04:28 AM
The fact it's transfer printed probably indicates as you say, that it is not very valuable. However, it is a nice item with "souvenir value". |
jutrased
Member Posts: 65
From: North Smithfield, RI USA
Registered: Aug 2003
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posted 06-15-2015 08:23 AM
I believe these were made by the Houze Glass Company in Point Marion, Pennsylvania. There are sets of 11 glasses, one for each manned Apollo Mission. They can be found occasionally on eBay, usually as separate glasses. I've also seen a set of 4 for Skylab, and one for Apollo-Soyuz. They usually sell for $5 to $10 separately, but sets can bring a much higher price. |
mmcmurrey
Member Posts: 114
From: Austin, TX, USA
Registered: Jun 2012
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posted 06-15-2015 10:54 AM
What would you estimate the value of full set (11) of Apollo glasses?
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GACspaceguy
Member Posts: 2475
From: Guyton, GA
Registered: Jan 2006
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posted 06-15-2015 12:29 PM
I picked up the full set on eBay for $45 last year some time. |
MadSci
Member Posts: 226
From: Maryland, USA
Registered: Oct 2008
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posted 06-15-2015 12:57 PM
As always, you guys show what an amazing wealth of knowledge these forums are, and how willing people are to help. Many thanks!If anyone spots more of these, or would be interested in buying this one to complete a set, please let me know and I can put you in touch with the current owner. (I have no financial stake in it.) Thanks again! |
MadSci
Member Posts: 226
From: Maryland, USA
Registered: Oct 2008
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posted 06-15-2015 01:03 PM
Well if this was made by the Houze glass works as suggested, there is a tangential connection to the Apollo program. From the history of the Houze company to be found here. The company did work for NASA in the late 1950s, early 60s, Houze said, that included a high-strength glass for the space program.In 1948, Armand Houze's son Roger J. Houze, an artist, came up with the idea of cutting the glass and screening pictures, logos and advertisements on it and bending the glass. The company first produced Christmas cards on glass trays in 1950 with this new production and Houze Art became a new department. The company did work for artists such as Peter Max, Dan Baird and Tommy Parzinger. The department screened and bent glass until 1995. Houze made its own bending glass until 1974, when it used up its stock and started buying glass. The history noted that Houze produced special glassware for President Gerald R. Ford for guests who flew on Air Force One. Houze also produced glass trays and tumblers for Presidents Richard Nixon and Lyndon B. Johnson. Houze also produced 100 special trays for Nixon to take as gifts for dignitaries on his 1972 trip to China. John Houze said the family sold the company in 1954. It eventually closed in 2004. But it offered more than a century of work and amazing products. |
MadSci
Member Posts: 226
From: Maryland, USA
Registered: Oct 2008
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posted 07-11-2015 03:20 PM
Well as usual it only took a few days for the correct answer to be posted on this forum. After the initial steer towards the House Glassware Company I reached out to the House Museum to confirm and was graced with a response from the son of Mr. House himself: Yes, Houze glass made them they did a whole set of the Apollo missions. — John Houze Once again, another space history mystery solved the amazing folks in the collectSPACE community! Thanks guys! | |
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