Fostoria Glass: Complete Pattern, Color & Value Guide

Fostoria Glass Company produced some of the most collectible American glass of the twentieth century. Founded in 1887 in Fostoria, Ohio (then relocated to Moundsville, West Virginia), Fostoria operated for nearly a century before closing in 1986 — and the glassware it made during those 99 years is among the most actively traded vintage glass on the collector market today. This guide covers Fostoria’s most important patterns, colors, marks, dating methods, and current values for every major collecting category.

Fostoria Glass Company History

Fostoria Glass was founded by Lucian B. Martin and W.S. Brady in Fostoria, Ohio in 1887. Natural gas shortages forced a move to Moundsville, West Virginia in 1891, where the company remained until closing. In its early decades Fostoria produced pressed glass tableware; by the 1920s it had established itself as the premier American maker of elegant pressed and blown glass. At its peak in the mid-twentieth century, Fostoria employed over 1,000 workers and operated 12 furnaces running around the clock. The company was acquired by Lancaster Colony Corporation in 1983, and the Moundsville factory closed in 1986, making all authentic Fostoria a closed production line that can only appreciate over time.

How to Identify Fostoria Glass

Fostoria rarely marked its glass with a permanent stamp or label. Most identification relies on pattern and color recognition rather than a maker’s mark. The key tools for identification are:

• Pattern books: Fostoria catalogued its patterns systematically. The Weatherman guides (Hazel Marie Weatherman’s Fostoria: Its First Fifty Years and the later volumes) are the definitive collector references and list every Fostoria pattern with photographs.
• Paper labels: Some Fostoria pieces retain the original gold foil label reading “Fostoria” or “Fostoria Glass” in script. Labels are easily lost but still present on unhandled pieces.
• Mold quality: Fostoria pressed glass has sharp, well-defined mold lines and high relief. The company used lead crystal formulas for much of its elegant line, giving pieces a distinctive ring when tapped and exceptional clarity.
• Weight: Fostoria lead crystal is noticeably heavier than modern non-lead glass reproductions.
• Pattern match: The American pattern (introduced 1915) is the most recognizable; its distinctive cube-and-circle pressed pattern appears on hundreds of forms over 70+ years of production.

Fostoria’s Most Collected Patterns

American Pattern (1915–1986)

The American pattern is the single most successful pressed glass pattern in American history and Fostoria’s signature design. The pattern features a repeating motif of interlocking cubes arranged in a honeycomb-like grid that refracts light in every direction. American was produced continuously from 1915 until the factory closed in 1986 — an unbroken 71-year run — and was made in over 300 different forms including tableware, barware, vases, console sets, and decorative accessories.

American pattern pieces in clear crystal command strong collector demand because the pattern is immediately identifiable and the range of available forms is enormous. Values by form:

• American pattern dinner plate (9.5″): $15–$35
• American pattern goblet: $12–$25
• American pattern tumbler (12 oz): $10–$20
• American pattern pitcher (3-pint): $45–$90
• American pattern punch bowl set (complete): $150–$350
• American pattern wedding bowl (rare large): $75–$200
• American pattern coin bank: $40–$90
• American pattern banana split bowl: $30–$65

Indiana Glass Company produced a similar pattern called “Whitehall” from the 1960s onward that is commonly confused with Fostoria American. The difference: Fostoria American has perfect, sharply defined cubes with crisp corners; Whitehall cubes are rounder and slightly softer. Fostoria American also typically rings when tapped; Whitehall (non-lead) does not.

Chintz Etching (1940–1973)

The Chintz etching is one of Fostoria’s most beloved etch patterns, applied primarily to the Baroque blank (pattern 2496). It features an intricate floral and scroll design acid-etched into the glass surface, giving it a frosted, delicate appearance against the clear crystal. Chintz was made primarily in crystal and is commonly found in the secondary market today. Etched stems and serving pieces are the most actively collected forms.

• Chintz goblet: $20–$40
• Chintz champagne/sherbet: $15–$30
• Chintz iced tea tumbler: $20–$35
• Chintz dinner plate: $25–$50
• Chintz cream and sugar set: $40–$75
• Chintz relish dish (3-part): $35–$60

Navarre Etching (1937–1980)

Navarre is the most elaborate of Fostoria’s etch patterns and is considered the company’s most prestigious design. The pattern is a deeply etched scrolling floral motif applied to the Baroque blank. Navarre was produced in crystal and also briefly in pink; crystal examples dominate the collector market. Complete place settings in Navarre command the highest prices of any Fostoria etching pattern.

• Navarre goblet: $30–$55
• Navarre champagne/sherbet: $20–$40
• Navarre dinner plate: $35–$65
• Navarre cream and sugar: $55–$95
• Navarre handled cake plate: $65–$120
• Navarre mayonnaise set: $55–$90

Meadow Rose Etching (1936–1982)

Meadow Rose is a romantic floral etching on the Baroque blank featuring roses and leaves in a flowing arrangement. It was produced for over 45 years, making it one of Fostoria’s longest-running etch patterns. Meadow Rose is frequently encountered in estate sales and thrift stores, making it one of the more accessible Fostoria etch patterns for beginning collectors.

• Meadow Rose goblet: $18–$35
• Meadow Rose dinner plate: $20–$40
• Meadow Rose cream and sugar: $35–$65

June Etching (1928–1952)

June is a delicate floral etching applied primarily to the Versailles blank (pattern 2375) and produced in four colors: topaz (yellow), azure (blue), rose (pink), and crystal. The combination of the June etch with colored glass makes it one of the most spectacular Fostoria collectibles and commands premium prices, particularly in azure and rose.

• June topaz goblet: $35–$65
• June azure goblet: $55–$100
• June rose goblet: $50–$90
• June topaz dinner plate: $40–$75
• June azure dinner plate: $65–$120
• June topaz cream and sugar: $65–$120
• June azure cream and sugar: $110–$200

Versailles Etching (1928–1944)

The Versailles etching — a formal scroll and floral design — is the most desirable of Fostoria’s Depression-era etch patterns in colored glass. Like June, it was produced on the Versailles blank in topaz, azure, rose, and green. Complete place settings in Versailles azure are among the most sought-after Depression-era glass tableware in the collector market.

• Versailles topaz goblet: $35–$70
• Versailles azure goblet: $55–$110
• Versailles rose goblet: $45–$85
• Versailles azure dinner plate: $70–$130

Romance Etching (1942–1986)

Romance is a comparatively simple floral etch pattern on the Baroque blank, produced in crystal only. Because it was made for over 40 years it is one of the most commonly found Fostoria patterns in the secondary market. Romance stems are frequently found as individual pieces rather than matched sets, making complete settings relatively harder to assemble.

• Romance goblet: $15–$30
• Romance dinner plate: $18–$35
• Romance cream and sugar: $30–$55

Fostoria Color Guide and Values

Fostoria produced colored glass in numerous shades over its history, and color significantly affects value. The Depression-era colors (1920s–1940s) are the most collectible and most valuable. Post-war colors (1950s–1970s) are less valuable but still collected.

Color Name	Production Era	Description	Value Premium vs. Crystal
Azure Blue	1928–1944	Soft sky blue; Fostoria’s most collected color	2× to 4×
Topaz / Gold Tint	1929–1944	Warm amber-yellow; produced in large quantities	1.5× to 2.5×
Rose / Pink	1928–1944	Warm pink; rarer than topaz in most patterns	2× to 3×
Green	1927–1934	Medium green; shorter production run, rarer	2× to 3.5×
Orchid / Wisteria	1931–1938	Lavender-purple; one of the rarest Depression-era colors	3× to 6×
Amber	1924–1934	Warm brown-amber; less collected than azure or rose	1.3× to 1.8×
Ebony	1924–1943	Opaque black glass; used for decorative pieces	1.5× to 2×
Ruby / Burgundy	1933–1943, 1971–1986	Deep red glass; produced in two separate eras	1.5× to 3×
Regal Blue	1933–1943	Deep cobalt blue; rarer than azure	2.5× to 4×
Crystal (clear)	1887–1986	Lead crystal; the most commonly found color	baseline

Fostoria American Pattern Color Values

The American pattern was primarily made in crystal, but Fostoria produced limited runs in colored glass that are extremely rare and valuable. Most “colored American pattern” pieces encountered today are Indiana Glass Whitehall copies or other manufacturer imitations, not genuine Fostoria. Authentic colored Fostoria American pieces:

• American in green (extremely rare): $100–$400 per piece depending on form
• American in amber: $50–$150 per piece
• American in blue (extremely rare): $150–$500 per piece

Fostoria Coin Glass (1958–1982)

Fostoria’s Coin Glass pattern is a distinct category within the Fostoria line — pressed glass featuring large raised “coins” modeled on authentic American currency coins (1892 Liberty Dollar, Indian Head penny, and others). Coin Glass was made primarily in crystal, amber, olive green, ruby, blue, and empire green, and was Fostoria’s best-selling line in the 1960s and 1970s.

Coin Glass is one of the most commonly found Fostoria patterns in the secondary market because so much was made. Values by color:

• Coin nappy dish — crystal: $15–$30; ruby: $35–$65; blue: $40–$75
• Coin footed candy box with lid — crystal: $30–$55; ruby: $65–$120; blue: $70–$130
• Coin bowl (9″) — crystal: $25–$50; ruby: $55–$100; blue: $60–$110
• Coin lamp (electric) — crystal: $75–$150; ruby: $150–$300; blue: $175–$350
• Coin ashtray — crystal: $12–$25; ruby: $30–$55

Ruby and blue Coin Glass command the highest premiums. Empire green Coin Glass is the rarest and most valuable Coin color — a lamp in empire green can sell for $400–$800 or more.

Fostoria Stemware: Pattern Numbers and Identification

Fostoria assigned pattern numbers (blanks) separate from etch/cut pattern names. Common blanks include:

• 2496 Baroque: The most-used blank for etched patterns (Chintz, Navarre, Meadow Rose, Romance). Features a scrolled, baroque-style foot and stem.
• 2375 Fairfax: A simpler, more streamlined blank used for June, Versailles, and other Depression-era etchings.
• 6024 Cellini: A mid-century modern blank with a clean, tapered stem — used for later Fostoria patterns.
• 6014 Wilma: A classic balled-stem blank used through the 1950s.
• 2056 American: The American pattern blank, pressed rather than blown, used for the entire American line.

Most Valuable Fostoria Glass Pieces

Piece	Pattern/Color	Value Range
Punch bowl set (complete, 12 cups + ladle)	American crystal	$150–$350
Dinner plate	Versailles azure	$70–$130
Handled cake plate	Navarre crystal	$65–$120
Coin lamp (electric)	Empire green Coin Glass	$400–$800+
Cream and sugar set	June azure	$110–$200
Candlestick pair	American crystal	$45–$90
Orchid/Wisteria goblet	Any etch pattern	$75–$200+
Complete place setting (5-piece)	Navarre crystal	$150–$300
American pattern colored goblet	Blue or green	$150–$500
Large banana split boat	American crystal	$30–$65

Fostoria vs. Indiana Glass American Pattern: How to Tell Them Apart

The most common Fostoria identification mistake is confusing genuine Fostoria American pattern pieces with Indiana Glass Company’s “Whitehall” pattern, which is nearly identical in design. Indiana Glass produced Whitehall from the 1960s into recent decades and sold it through mass market channels. The two patterns share the same cube-and-circle design but differ in these key ways:

• Ring test: Fostoria American is lead crystal and rings clearly when tapped at the rim. Indiana Glass Whitehall is non-lead glass and produces a flat, dull sound.
• Cube sharpness: Fostoria cubes have crisp, sharp corners and perfectly defined edges. Whitehall cubes are slightly rounded and have less definition in the mold lines.
• Weight: Fostoria American is noticeably heavier than Whitehall due to the lead content.
• Base pattern: On many Fostoria American pieces, the base continues the pattern clearly to the center. Whitehall bases often fade or blur toward the center.
• Piece forms: If you’re looking at an unusual form not found in Fostoria catalogs (such as a mug with a handle, a measuring cup, or a canister set), it’s almost certainly Whitehall, as Fostoria American did not produce those forms.

Where to Buy and Sell Fostoria Glass

Venue	Best For	Notes
eBay	Selling individual pieces; buying rare patterns	Largest marketplace; check completed listings for realistic prices
Etsy	Etched stems and serving pieces; Coin Glass	Higher price ceiling on curated pieces
Facebook Marketplace / Groups	Local buying; Fostoria collector groups	The “Fostoria Glass Collectors” group has active buying/selling
Estate sales	Full sets at below-market prices	Fostoria is commonly found in estates from families who collected in the 1950s–1970s
Replacements, Ltd.	Buying specific pieces to complete a set	Largest single source for specific Fostoria stems and serving pieces
Antique malls and shows	In-person inspection; finding colored glass	Prices vary widely; knowing pattern names is essential

Fostoria Glass Care and Handling

Lead crystal Fostoria glass requires careful handling:

• Hand wash only: Dishwashers damage lead crystal — the high heat and detergent chemicals cause cloudiness (crystalline etching) that is permanent and irreversible.
• Avoid thermal shock: Do not move Fostoria crystal from cold to hot environments rapidly. Pour room-temperature liquids into room-temperature glasses; do not fill with boiling water.
• Lead content note: While Fostoria lead crystal is safe for occasional use, storing beverages (especially acidic wines or spirits) in lead crystal decanters for extended periods is not recommended, as lead can leach into liquids over time.
• Cloudiness from hard water: White cloudiness on the inside of vases or pitchers is mineral deposit from hard water. Try a white vinegar soak; if cloudy after that, it is permanent damage from dishwasher use.
• Storage: Store stems upright (not inverted), as rims are more fragile than foot. Separate pieces with acid-free tissue to prevent chipping.

Frequently Asked Questions