Mason’s Patent Nov. 30th 1858 – Black Glass

Provenance: Patricia Sprang Collection

Mason jars were named after John Landis Mason who invented his molded glass jar for home canning to preserve food. Mason was living in New York when he conceived the idea of preserving the freshness of the fruits and vegetables he and his father once raised. Our museum example of a Mason’s Patent Nov. 30th 1858 jar is striking because of its glass color which is almost black.

See other Mason’s Patent 1858 jars in the Virtual Museum.

This jar was made in 1877 by the Hemingray Glass Co. That year, Adam Dickey of Middletown, Ohio obtained a patent for black glass to be used in preserving fruit under the premise of allegedly preventing discoloration of the produce. The idea was not successful in the market, as evidenced by the very few examples of black glass fruit jars in existence. 

Primary Image: “Black Glass Mason” jar imaged on location by the FOHBC Virtual Museum midwest studio led by Alan DeMaison.

Support: Reference to Fruit Jar Annual 2020 – The Guide to Collecting Fruit Jars by Jerome J. McCann

Support Images: Auction Lot 7937: Black Glass Mason’s Patent Nov 30th 1858, Olive black. Early K&T logo zinc cap. Shiny glass with some fine surface swirls for character. Typical chipping around the ground mouth is shown. Strong embossing. The base has embossed “14.” Made in 1877 by the Hemingray Glass Co. In that year Adam Dickey of Middletown, Ohio obtained a patent for black glass to be used in preserving fruit under the premise of allegedly preventing discoloration of the produce. The idea was not successful in the market, as evidenced by the very few examples of black glass fruit jars in existence. Rare – Greg Spurgeon, North American Glass

See More Jars

Jars Gallery

Click on a jar below!

Featured Stories

FOHBC Virtual Museum: Now Open Free 2020

Free Entry!

With COVID-19 canceling many events, bottle shows, and public gatherings and closing the museums that many of

Read More

HELP US FILL THE BOTTLE

Scroll to Top