Macbeth-Evans

Macbeth-Evans made some of the most delicate Depression Glass patterns ever produced.

Macbeth-Evans was formed by the merging of two successful glass companies. In 1899, two independent glass companies, Macbeth and Evans combined to form Macbeth-Evans. The new company planned to use a new glass-blowing machine to expand and revolutionize their business. This venture proved triumphant and Macbeth-Evans became one of the leading contenders in the production of illumination, scientific, and industrial glassware. The original plant in Charleroi, Pennsylvania was not large enough to produce sufficient glassware to meet their demands and other plants were were opened to assist the Charleroi operation. These plants were located in Marion Indiana, Bethevan Indiana, Elwood Indiana, and Toledo Ohio.

In the mid 1920s Macbeth-Evans started producing tableware with the introduction of water sets. By 1930 Macbeth-Evans added a complete machine made colored dinnerware set to their line. The outcome was favorable and Macbeth-Evans continued to experiment with new colors and products. As a result, Macbeth-Evans is responsible for some of the most sought after Depression Glass patterns ever made.

Dogwood and American Sweetheart are the two patterns that most often come to mind when thinking of Depression Glass made by Macbeth-Evans. These were the most popular patterns they produced. This company found a market in using a white opal translucent color called Monax to make dinnerware sets (Monax was originally developed to produce lighting products). This color was very popular, and Macbeth-Evans was the only company to produce Depression Glass patterns in Monax. Other colors used during this time period include amber, crystal, cobalt, chinex (ivory), cremax (cream-colored opaque glassware), pink, green, ruby, and white milk glass. Many of the Chinex and Cremax glass patterns were decorated with various floral designs, stripes, rings, or bands. Some of the patterns were scenic. The latter decorations include the collectible Castle decal. Both the Oxford and Windsor shapes can be found with "Rainbow Borders" or deeper colors that were called "Bordette Decorations".

In 1937 Macbeth-Evans was purchased by Corning Glass Works of Corning New York. Macbeth-Evans continued to produce the glassware they were famous for under the name Macbeth-Evans Division of Corning Glass Works until sometime in the 1940s.