We are very pleased to present this vintage 1950s Imperial Glass crystal, large 11.5 x 11.5 x 6.25 inch tall, scarce tri-section divided tray with a handsome silver plate handle, in the venerable Candlewick Line #400. The renowned and collectible Candlewick was produced from 1936 all the way to 1984, and encompassed at least (465) separate forms!! Our example is in wonderful condition, and the custom handle has vertical struts, and a lovely vaulted top, giving complete access to the tray. As with Imperial Candlewick items, ours is hefty and strong weighing 3# 4 oz. and is in spectacular condition. xxxxxxxxxxxx. The Imperial Glass Company was founded in 1901 by Edward Muhleman, and was located in Bellaire, Ohio with a factory located on 29th Street, and the offices located on Belmont Street. On November 7, 1901 affidavits were filed with the Secretary of State of West Virginia for incorporation of the Imperial Glass Company, followed on Nov. 14, 1901 with approval of the incorporation. Subsequently, on December 19, 1901 corporation papers were filed in Ohio County Court House. (Book #5, Folio 132), and actual site preparation began for the plant. After two years of construction and fine tuning, actual production commenced with furnace #1 being fired up on January 27, 1904, followed by furnace #2 on March 24, 1904. The Imperial handmade glass wares were sold worldwide, and the 29th Street factory was labeled as one of the largest glass factories under one roof. The first accepted mark of Imperial Glass was that of NUART which constitutes an enigma, due to the fact that no record of application or granting of approval has ever been found at the U.S. Patent Office for the NUART logo. Consequently, its unknown if Imperial applied for actual mark registration, yet this graphic design appears in numerous Imperial advertisements and catalogs. Items are marked only with simple NUART lettering, and include items from Imperials early Iridescent Art Glass line. In 1916, Imperial introduced Stretch Glass, followed by Free Hand & Lead Luster glasses in the 1920s. In 1929, Imperial found itself in bankruptcy, but survived due to a contract with Quaker Oats to give a Cape Cod style pattern as a premium for Q/O products. Imperial was was reorganized under the name of The Imperial Glass Corporation, and Cape Cod, which was officially introduced in 1931, became Imperials best selling pattern, remaining in the Imperial line until their closing. In 1936 Imperial introduced the Candlewick pattern which became, and is still is Imperials most sought after pattern, even boasting a street named for it in Bellaire, Ohio.WW II was detrimental to the American glass industry, but Imperial emerged to continue with many respected formed glass patterns. In 1958, Imperial purchased most of the Heisey Glass molds, and continued manufacture with the Heisey mark until 1968. The company fell upon hard times in the early 1970s and was forced to declare bankruptcy. Imperial was saved by Lenox and turned to general manufacture, but low demand eventually led to its closure in 1984. The 29th Street factory was razed in 1995 to make room for commercial development, but the Belmont Street location was transformed into a museum known as the National Imperial Glass Museum, with the building being placed on the National Register of Historic Places on September 8, 1983.

Excellent condition