Presentation by Thomas Jiamachello at the July 2013 Phoenix & Consolidated Glass Collectors annual convention. Research into the Reuben Line produced at Phoenix Glass Company in Monaca PA using borrowed Consolidated Glass Company moulds.

1. Phoenix Reuben-Line
Phoenix
“Reuben-Line”
© Tom Jiamachello 2013

2. Phoenix Reuben-Line
Phoenix
“Reuben-Line”??

3. Six Questions
• 1 Who designed and produced the line?
• 2 When was it produced?
• 3 What makes it “Reuben-Line”?
• 4 In what colors was it made?
• 5 In what shapes was it made?
• 5 Why is the “Reuben Blue” color such a problem?

4. 1 Who designed and produced the “Reuben-Line”?
• When Reuben Haley (1872-1933) died on September 29 1933 in Beaver,
PA, the genesis of Phoenix Glass Company’s Reuben-Line was born.
• Reuben Haley was associated with Consolidated Glass from 1926-1933. To
honor his well-documented contributions to the glass industry, his son
Kenneth Haley (1905-1987) created this line which combines Consolidated
molds and Phoenix molds but was produced by Phoenix. Kenneth worked
for Phoenix from 1928 to 1934.

5. 2 When was it produced?
• The short answer is March 1934 - March 1936. The long answer is more
involved. Read on.
• March 1936 is a pivotal date in understanding how the “Reuben-Line” came
to be.
• When Consolidated shut down on April 26, 1932, the molds created by
Reuben Haley would sit unused for the last 17 months of Reuben Haley’s
life. Upon his death in September 1933, the ownership of the molds passed
to his son Kenneth Haley, who was then working at Phoenix.

6. 2 When was it produced?
• Kenneth came up with the idea of relocating the molds his father created to
Phoenix. He named the glass produced by Phoenix from these molds as the
“Reuben-Line”. Each piece was decorated by Phoenix Glass using ceramic
colors. Kathy Hansen recently told me that it is very likely that both
Consolidated and Phoenix bought their ceramic colors from the same
Pittsburgh company. The colors Kenneth chose for this line are very
different from any Consolidated used previously with these molds.
• Along with the Consolidated molds, Kenneth Haley created new molds for
Phoenix for this line. These molds carried the “Reuben-Line” oval gold
paper label. How many molds were created by Phoenix for the “Reuben-
Line”? It appears that number is around 15. (245 - 263).

7. 2 When was it produced?
• Another 24 molds have been found with the same colors used on the
Reuben-Line pieces. They are from a separate line called the Sculptured
Crystal line. (Molds 264-286 part of Sculptured Crystal Series 200 line.
None of these have (yet) been found with a Reuben-Line label)
• It is not know exactly when the “Reuben-Line” started production. Jack
Wilson states on page 167 of his book that “the Phoenix Sculptured glass
line was in production by 1934, six months after Reuben Haley’s death. It is
known that in March of 1936, Consolidated re-opened and requested that
the “Haley” molds be returned to them. It is my opinion that Phoenix could
no longer legally use the name “Reuben-Line” after March 1936. What
name did they choose to use for the glass produced by their new molds and
in what colors did they make this glass?

8. 2 When was it produced?
• On pages 169-171 of Jack Wilson’s book are copies of pages from a
Phoenix catalog for “Sculptured Decorative Glassware”. This catalog is
from circa 1938. It includes the 18 Phoenix molds which are part of the
“Reuben-Line” AND 28 other Phoenix molds. This line started at least as
early as December 1936, 9 months after the return of the Consolidated
molds to Consolidated glass. On page 175 of the Wilson book one sees that
Howard Selden of New York City is listed as the sales representative for the
Phoenix Glass “Art Division”.
• On a page of this circa 1938 catalog is a table of contents. The term that
Phoenix uses for all the glass shown in this catalog is “Sculptured Artware”,
shown on pages 2-8. One the bottom of the page is the header “Decorative
Sculptured Artware”, described as “made in four entirely different processes
producing a wide variation in textures and color effects.”

9. 2 When was it produced?
• Here are the names of the four lines and their descriptions:
• 1. 300 Series: “ SCULPTURED CAMEO consists of a white opaline translucent
body, on which have been fused soft pastel ceramic colors. The decorations stand
out in white against a colored background.” Produced in Tan, Taupe, Wine, Green,
Cadet Blue.
• 2 200 Series - “SCULPTURED CRYSTAL is basically a crystal glass frosted with
hues of ceramics colors fused on the background with the raised detail in soft relief,
enhancing the sculptured effect.” Produced in Cadet Blue, White, Orchid.
• 3. 400 Series - “SCULPTURED PEARL LUSTRE combines a frosted milk-white
background with mother-of-pearl lustre on the raised detail.” Produced in Tan, Taupe,
Wine, Green, Cadet Blue
• 4. 600 Series - “SCULPTURED BRILLIANTE utilizes the brilliance of fine crystal
glass for the design on an etched background, thus high-lighting the beauty of the
decoration.”
• It is my contention that the Series 200 “Sculptured Crystal” line is the
renamed “Reuben-Line”.

10. 2 When was it produced?
34 Series 200 molds shown in circa 1938 catalog:
245 Figured vase
246 Philadendron vase
247 Pine Cone vase
248 Lily vase, tumbler shape
249 Lily candleholders
250 Lily console bowl
252 Diving Girl bowl
253 Primrose vase
254 Phlox covered candy box
256 Daisy vase
257 Flying Geese vase
258 Tiger Lily bowl
259 Jonquil platter
261 Fern vase
262 Bluebell Vase
263 Phlox ashtray 5 1/2” long (end of
Kenneth Haley designed molds?)
264 Dancing Girl vase
265 Cosmos
266 Phlox Covered Cigarette Box
267 Wild Rose vase
268 Freesia Vase (No Flare), tumbler shape
269 Freesia Vase, Fan
270 Freesia Vase, Flared
271 candy dish, (open), 7 1/2” diameter
272 Phlox Ash Tray, 3” long
275 Tri-Crimp Lily vase
277 Star Flower vase
278 Thistle vase
279 Madonna vase
280 Zodiac vase
281 Phlox 3-Compartment Box
282 Jewel vase
283 Strawberry Bowl
284 Strawberry Candleholders
285 Aster vase

11. 2 When was it produced?
• On page 172, there is a dated Feb. 1947 catalog. By this time, the 200 Series patterns have been reduced to 23 offerings. These are
available only in three colors: Green, White, Blue.
Items offered:
246 Philadendron vase
248 Lily vase, tumbler shape
250 Lily console bowl
252 Diving Girl bowl
256 Daisy vase
257 Flying Geese vase
258 Tiger Lily bowl
259 Jonquil platter
261 Fern vase
262 Bluebell vase
264 Dancing Girl vase
265 Cosmos vase
266 Phlox Covered Candy Box
267 Wild Rose vase
268 Freesia vase (No Flare) tumbler shape
272 Phlox ash tray, 3” long
277 Star Flower vase
278 Thistle vase
279 Madonna vase
280 Zodiac vase
282 Jewel vase
285 Aster vase
286 Bachelor Button vase
Items no longer offered: 13 of the 1938 catalog items
245 Figured vase
247 Pine Cone vase
249 Lily candleholders
251 missing also from 1938 catalog
253 Primrose vase
254 Phlox covered candy box
255 missing also from 1938 catalog
260 missing also from 1938 catalog
263 Phlox ashtray, 5 1/2” long
269 Freesia vase, Fan
270 Freesia vase, Flared
271 candy dish, (open), 7 1/2” diameter
273 missing also from 1938 catalog
274 missing also from 1938 catalog
275 Tri-Crimp Lily vase
276 missing also from 1938 catalog
281 Phlox 3-Compartment Box
283 Strawberry Bowl
284 Strawberry Candleholders

12. 3 What makes it “Reuben-Line”?
• What are the basic “field marks” that identify it as “Reuben-Line”
• 1. shape
• 2 color
• 3. Consolidated mold or Phoenix mold?
• If it is a Consolidated mold from 200 Series in a Reuben color, it is from the
Reuben-Line whether it has a label or not.
• If it is a Phoenix mold with a Reuben-Line paper label, it is from the
Reuben-Line. If it is a Phoenix mold with no label but frosted figures, it is
from the Sculptured Crystal 200 Series (one of four Sculptured lines
described in 1938 Phoenix Glass Company catalog (Wilson pp 170-171)
which was still available in Feb. 47 catalog

13. 3 In what documented colors was it made?
Blue:
1. Blue, aqua/turquoise
2. Blue, sky (Phoenix used the word “light blue” for
Sculptured Art line) p. 165
3. Blue, slate (Phoenix used the word “slate gray”
for Sculptured Art line) p. 165
4. Blue, teal
5 Blue, Reuben
Brown:
56. Brown, sepia (Fig 709 on page 102 of Wilson
book)
Green:
7. Green (Phoenix used the word “sea green” for
Sculptured Art line) p. 165
8. Green, mint
Orange:
9. Orange, pumpkin
Pink:
10. Pink, light
11. Pink/orchid (Phoenix used the word “cadet rose”
for Sculptured Art line) p. 165
12. Pink, salmon (Phoenix used the word “coral” for
Sculptured Art line) p. 165
Purple:
13. Purple (Fig 713 on page 102 of Wilson book)
Red:
14. Red, russet (aka “ceramic red”)
White:
15. White, ceramic
Yellow:
16. Yellow, butterscotch
17. Yellow, honey (like the Catalonian honey color)
18. Yellow, pale (Fig 538 on page 91 of Wilson book)

14. 3 In what documented colors was it made?
Blue (5) Brown (1) Green (2) Orange (1)
Pink (3) Red (1) White (1) Yellow (3)
Sky
Teal
Slate
“Reuben”
Sepia Mint Bright Orange
Pale Orchid
Salmon
Russet White Butterscotch Honey
Pale
Aqua

15. 4 In what shapes was the “Reuben-Line” made?
Consolidated molds:
45 molds (200-244) (9 missing)
Found with Reuben-Line labels: 19 shapes
Found in Reuben-Line colors but no label (yet): 17 shapes
Phoenix molds: 42 molds

16. Consolidated molds
* denotes example with label in private collection

17. 1. Shape #200 - Lovebirds vase

18. 1. Shape #201* - Dogwood vase

19. 1. Shape #202 - Tropical Fish vase

20. 1. Shape #203 - Katydid vase(Ovoid)

21. 1. Shape #204* - Bittersweet vase

22. 1. Shape #205* - Seagulls vase

23. 1. Shape #206* - Pine Cone vase

24. 1. Shape #207* - Screech Owl vase

25. 1. Shape #208* - Dragonfly

26. 1. Shape #209 - Blackberry vase

27. 1. Shape #210* - Line 700 vase, small

28. 1. Shape #211* - Line 700 vase, large

29. 1. Shape #212* - Katydid vase, tumbler shape

30. 1. Shape #213* - Katydid vase, fan shape

31. 1. Shape #214* - Olive vase

32. 1. Shape #215 - Olive 8” bowl?

33. 1. Shape #216* - Santa Maria covered cigarette
box

34. 1. Shape #217 - Tropical Fish platter/bowl

35. 1. Shape #217 - Tropical Fish rectangular tray

36. 1. Shape #218 - missing

37. 1. Shape #219 - missing

38. 1. Shape #220 - missing

39. 1. Shape #221 - missing

40. 1. Shape #222 - missing

41. 1. Shape #223 - Five Fruits 6” plate

42. 1. Shape #224* - Five Fruits 8” plate

43. 1. Shape #225 - Five Fruits 12” plate

44. 1. Shape #226 - Five Fruits 14” plate

45. 1. Shape #227 - Swallows bowl

46. 1. Shape #228 - Katydid ashtray

47. 1. Shape #229 - Dancing Nymphs platter

48. 1. Shape #231 - Dancing Nymphs 6” plate

49. 1. Shape #232* - Dancing Nymphs 8” plate

50. 1. Shape #233 - Dancing Nymphs 10” plate

51. 1. Shape #234* - Dancing Nymphs nappy

52. 1. Shape #235 - Dancing Nymphs 8” bowl

53. 1. Shape #236* - Dancing Nymphs sherbet

54. 1. Shape #237* - Pan vase

55. 1. Shape #238* - Dancing Nymphs water tumbler

56. 1. Shape #239 - missing (DN tumbler vase)

57. 1. Shape #240 - Dancing Nymphs juice glass

58. 1. Shape #241 - missing

59. 1. Shape #242* - Five Fruits covered box

60. 1. Shape #243 - missing

61. 1. Shape #244 - missing

62. Consolidated patterns as possible missing numbers:
found with Reuben-Line labels: (3 shapes)
1. Catalonian cigarette box* - Hansen has one in butterscotch with label; white (Burke)
2. Florentine pillow vase in custard with brown multi-floral etch*: (Wilson)
3. Hummingbird vase (listed as part of Reuben-Line in Shilloto Display)* RB (Burke); sky blue
(for sale at 2008 convention Wickland); butterscotch (Fig 209 on page 72 of Wilson book)

63. Consolidated patterns documented in Reuben-Line colors: (31 shapes)):
Bird of Paradise fan vase small*: RB (Burke); pink (2012 MacEachron auction)
Bird of Paradise fan vase large: pink (Fig 195 on page 72 of Wilson book)
Bird of Paradise vase
Catalonian Nasturtium vase: RB (Jiamachello); russet (Burke); white (files)
Catalonian violet vase: white (Burke); orchid (Burke); RB (Burke)
Catalonian candleholders: russet (Burke)
Catalonian swung vase: RB (Burke); sky blue (at past convention)
Catalonian console bowl: white (Burke)
Catalonian 8” plate: russet (past club auction)
Catalonian pinch vase: RB (in Cat powerpoint)
1170 Catalonian RB
Catalonian elephant vase flared top: RB (Wilson)
Chickadee vase
Chrsyanthemum
Cockatoo vase
Cockatoo: whimsey platter: green (2007 auction); butterscotch (Fig 296 on page
79 of Wilson book)

64. Consolidated patterns documented in Reuben-Line colors: (31 shapes)):
Bird of Paradise Fan Vase, small: known in aqua (Dan Stanley)
Five Fruits pound box: pink (Fig 123 on page 67 of Wilson book)
Floral vase #139
Foxglove vase
Hummingbird large puff box: pink, (for sale at 2008 convention Wickland); green
ebay; butterscotch, Fig 42 on page 62 of Wilson book
Hummingbird small puff box, butterscotch (for sale at past convention)
Hummingbird compote: butterscotch (Fig 72 on page 64 of Wilson book)
Iris candlesticks, tall: pink (Burke)
Iris candleholders, short: pink (for sale in 2011 Wickland room)
Jonquil vase #138
Le Fleur vase
Line 700 10” plate: butterscotch (Fig 410 on page 84 of Wilson book)
Line 700 flared bowl (me, green wash)
Lovebirds banana boat
Lovebirds powder jar: butterscotch (Fig 59 on page 63 of Wilson book)
Mermaid bowl: butterscotch (Fig 285 on page 78 of Wilson book)

65. Phoenix molds: 36
Reuben-Line with label / (Sculptured Crystal
Series 200 without label)
* denotes example with label in private collection
FoundFound with Reuben-Line labels: 8 1

66. 1. Shape #245* - Figured vase

67. 1. Shape #246* - Philadendron vase

68. 1. Shape #247* - Pine Cone vase

69. 1. Shape #248 - Lily vase, tumbler shape

70. 1. Shape #249 - Lily candleholders

71. 1. Shape #250 - Lily console bowl

72. 1. Shape #251 - missing (perhaps a Lily straight
side bulbous top vase)

73. 1. Shape #252 - Diving Girls banana boat bowl

74. 1. Shape #253 - Primrose vase

75. 1. Shape #254* - Phlox covered candy box

76. 1. Shape #255 - missing

77. 1. Shape #256* - Daisy vase

78. 1. Shape #257* - Flying Geese vase

79. 1. Shape #258* - Tiger Lily bowl

80. 1. Shape #259 - Jonquil platter

81. 1. Shape #260 - missing

82. 1. Shape #261 - Fern vase

83. 1. Shape #262* - Bluebell vase

84. 1. Shape #263 - Phlox ashtray 5 1/2 inches long

85. 1. Shape #264 - Dancing Nudes vase

86. 1. Shape #265 - Cosmos vase

87. 1. Shape #266 - Phlox covered cigarette box

88. 1. Shape #267 - Wild Rose vase

89. 1. Shape #268 - Freesia vase, tumbler shape

90. 1. Shape #269 - Freesia vase, fan shape

91. 1. Shape #270 - Freesia vase, flared shape

92. 1. Shape #271 - candy dish??

93. 1. Shape #272 - Phlox ash tray 3 inches long

94. 1. Shape #273 - missing

95. 1. Shape #274 - missing

96. 1. Shape #275 - Lily, tri-corner vase

97. 1. Shape #276 - missing

98. 1. Shape #277 - Starflower vase

99. 1. Shape #278 - Thistle vase

100. 1. Shape #279 - Madonna vase

101. 1. Shape #280 - Zodiac vase

102. 1. Shape #281 - Phlox 3 compartment covered
box

103. 1. Shape #282 - Jewel vase

104. 1. Shape #283 - Strawberry bowl

105. 1. Shape #284 - Strawberry candleholders

106. 1. Shape #285 - Aster vase

107. 1. Shape #286 - Bachelor Button vase

108. 5 Why is the “Reuben Blue” color such a
problem?
Which are “Reuben-Line” Which are not?

109. 5 Why is the “Reuben Blue” color such a
problem?
Which are “Reuben-Line” Which are not?

110. 5 Why is the “Reuben Blue” color such a
problem?
Which are “Reuben-Line” Which are not?

111. 5 Why is the “Reuben Blue” color such a
problem?
Which are “Reuben-Line” Which are not?

112. 5 Why is the “Reuben Blue” color such a
problem?

113. 5 Why is the “Reuben Blue” color such a
problem?

114. 5 Why is the “Reuben Blue” color such a
problem?
Which are “Reuben-Line” Which are not?

115. Phoenix Reuben-Line
Phoenix
“Reuben-Line”
© Tom Jiamachello 2013

116. Photo credits:
Josh & Rich Bair
Roger Behm
Bill Burke
Sue Cotter
Kathy Hansen
Jeff & Kathy Hayden
Tom Jiamachello
Jim Medeiros
Bill & Jackie Nichols
Dan Stanley
Gary Wickland & Bruce Mueller
Jack Wilson
and the wide spaces of the Internet.

117. I hope you enjoyed
the presentation.
Happy collecting!