Railroad signal lens.

Manufacturer Kopp Glass (American (Pittsburg, PA), founded 1926)

Dateafter 1926

MediumNon-flint Selenium Red pressed glass

Dimensions5 3/8 x 1 ½ in.

ClassificationsDecorative Arts, Glass

Credit LineGift of Fay Gish Hill, member of Captain Greeley #871, to the Iowa Quester Glass Collection. In the Iowa Quester Glass Collection, Brunnier Art Museum, University Museums, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.

Object numberUM2022.25

Status

Not on view

Collections

CultureAmerican

Label TextNicholas Kopp developed Selenium Red Glass in the 1890's. The vibrant red coloring met the railroad's standards for signaling lights, so the company began making "selenium red" railroad lights. As the railroad industry grew, and the industrial revolution progressed, so did Pilabrasgo. In 1903, Dithridge & Company (1863-1903) was absorbed by Pilabrasgo. At the height of their business, Pilabrasgo was comprised of three factories, located in Pittsburgh, Swissvale and Jeannette, Pennsylvania. They maintained showrooms in New York, Philadelphia, Boston, Baltimore, Chicago, San Francisco, St. Louis and Kansas City. They also maintained a sales office in London, Ontario, Canada. The prosperity didn't last forever. In 1926 Pilabrasgo went bankrupt, and Nicholas Kopp reorganized and renamed the company Kopp Glass, Inc. Signal lenses, light fixtures, lamps and vases were the core of Kopp's business.

Markings5 3/8 x 1 ½ in.