The Winterthur Library

 The Joseph Downs Collection of Manuscripts and Printed Ephemera

Henry Francis du Pont Winterthur Museum

5105 Kennett Pike, Winterthur, Delaware  19735

Telephone: 302-888-4600 or 800-448-3883

 

 

OVERVIEW OF THE COLLECTION

 

Creator:         Rodefer Glass Company.       

Title:               Papers

Dates:             1879-1943, bulk dates 1879-189

Call No.:         Col. 569

Acc. No.:        83x76, 83x77, 83x78

Quantity:        7 volumes, one box

Location:        10 K 8

 

 

 

BIOGRAPHICAL STATEMENT

 

The Rodefer Glass Company of Bellaire, Ohio, was founded in 1870 as the National Glass Works.  In 1877, the Rodefer brothers, Albert, John, and Thornton, bought the company and changed the name to Rodefer Brothers.  In 1898, Thornton became the sole owner, and it operated under the name Rodefer Glass Works until 1953, when the company became Rodefer-Gleason Glass Company.  (This company closed in 1982.)  Rodefer specialized in industrial and lighting glassware, although the accounts in this collection indicate they also made glassware for household use.

 

Charles Mayger Rodefer (1881-1967) became head of the company in 1910 after the death of his father Thornton Allan Rodefer (1846-1910).  Charles’ mother was Mary Elizabeth Pumphrey.  He was married to Alma Myrtle Hayden, and they had at least two children.  After Charles retired (date unknown), his son Howard Rodefer became head of the company.

 

 

SCOPE AND CONTENT

 

Three large volumes record sales of glassware for the years 1879-1888.  Rodefer sold in bulk, rather than in small quantities.  The firm sold reflectors, vault lights, globes, milk pails, bottles and jars of various kinds, sets of salts and peppers, vases, butter dishes, flasks, and other items.  The accounts are organized by date, listing to whom goods were sold, the kinds of products and quantity sold, and the cost.  Sometimes a discount was given.  Four smaller volumes, covering the years 1884-1893, list expenditures.  One of the volumes is headed "Petty Cash Book;" most of the expenditures recorded therein were small with the exception of expenses for labor.  These volumes do not list expenditures for materials for the factory.  Collection also includes some correspondence and bills, mostly from other companies, almost 50 items dating 1910-1943.  There is a copy of a speech given by C.M. Rodefer, president and treasurer of the company, to a meeting of the American Association of Flint and Lime Glass Manufacturers in 1924, discussing the Democratic and Republican party platforms of that presidential election year.

 

           

ORGANIZATION

 

Arranged chronologically.

 

 

LANGUAGE OF MATERIALS

 

The materials are in English.

 

 

RESTRICTIONS ON ACCESS

 

Collection is open to the public.  Copyright restrictions may apply.

           

 

PROVENANCE

 

Purchased from or gift of Charles Bishop, Jr.

           

 

ACCESS POINTS

 

            People:

                        Rodefer, C. M. (Charles Mayger), 1881-1967.

 

Topics:

            Rodefer-Gleason Glass Company.

            Glass factories - Ohio - Bellaire.

            Glass manufacture - Ohio - Bellaire.

            Glass trade - Ohio - Bellaire.

            Glassware.

            Political parties - Platforms.

Account books.

Billheads.       

 

 

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE COLLECTION

 

Location: 10 K 8

 

 

Box 1 of 1:

 

Folder 1: Correspondence and bills, 1910-1943 and no date (acc. 83x77 - unless noted as 83x78)

 

.1         [number not used]

 

.2         The Pottery, Glass & Brass Salesman: advertising order form

 

.3a-b    bill from A.J. Hall Co., Meriden, Conn., June 24, 1910, for moulds; with “Memorandus and Description of Hall Co.’s Moulds,” bought June 24, 1910;

                        Printed and illustrated billhead: manufacturers of opal glass decorted novelties, illustrated with figure of child writing on an artist’s palette;

 

.4         bill from H. Northwood Company, Wheeling, West Va., Sept, 2, 1910: for sand;

                        Printed billhead: plain and decorated, crystal and colored glassware; illustrated with figure of a lion

 

.5         bill from Raymond Boyle, Wellsburg, W.Va., Feb. 13, 1911: for staining globes and balls;

                        Printed billhead: glass stainer

 

.6         bill from Bellaire Bottle Company, Bellaire, O., Feb. 17, 1911: for bags of nitrate;

                        Printed and illustrated billhead: manufacturers of flint glass bottles, with spray of oak leaves and acorns;

 

.7         bill from Wheeling Glass Letter and Novelty Co., Wheeling, W.Va., Oct. 25, 1911: decorated shaving mugs, with notes about disposal;

                        Printed and illustrated billhead: manufacturers of convex glass letters, gold tiling, advertising novelties, etc., illustrated with picture of a young boy labeled “Our Traveler”

 

.8         memorandum of material returned to Imperial Glass Company, Bellaire, Ohi, Feb. 6, 1912: nitrate of soda returned;

                        Printed billhead: manufactures pressed and blown glassware

 

.9         bill from The Phoenix Glass Company, Pittsburg, Pa., May 13, 1912: light ruby balls;

                        Printed and illustrated billhead: manufacturers of electric & gas globes, shades, &c., with picture of phoenix in flames

 

83x78.2           letter from Carl [C.M. Rodefer], Rodefer Glass Company, Bellaire, O., (but letter written from Chicago), Feb. 12, 1914, to Ted, no place: about business;

                        Printed and illustrated letterhead: Rodefer Glass Company, blown and pressed specialties in private moulds, [etc.], illustrated with view of factory

 

83x78.3           letter from Carl [C.M. Rodefer], Rodefer Glass Company, Bellaire, O., (but letter written from Chicago), Feb. 18, 1914, to Ted, no place: about business, mentioning inkwell; but also some personal matters

                        Printed and illustrated letterhead: Rodefer Glass Company, blown and pressed specialties in private moulds, [etc.], illustrated with view of factory

 

.10       Christmas greetings from Gill Clay Pot Company, 1915

 

.11a-b  bill from The Ohio Valley Clay Company, Steubenville, Ohio, Dec. 24, 1915: for silica brick; with attached note about shipping policy;

                        Printed and illustrated billhead: tank blocks, glass melting pots, [etc.], with view of the factory;

 

.12       memorandum of credit from The Ohio Valley Clay Company, Steubenville, Ohio, Dec. 27, 1915: for flux and furnace shells and refuse;

                        Printed billhead

 

.13       letter from the National Glass Budget, Budget Publishing Co., Pittsburg, Pa., Jan. 3, 1916, to C.M. Rodefer, San Diego, Calif.: about listing Rodefer company in 1916 Glass Factory Directory, and adding the year to the outside cover;

                        Printed letterhead

 

.14a-b  letter from Henry J. Batsch, Indiana Glass Company, Dunkirk, Ind., Jan. 27, 1916, to Major Rodefer, Bellaire, O.: encloses a chain letter; with envelope;

                        Printed and illustrated letterhead: manufacturers of pressed and blown glassware, with view of factory

 

.15       first page only of a letter from unknown person, Bellaire Bottle Company, Bellaire, O., March 13, 1916, to C.M. Rodefer, San Diego, Calif.: good year for business; Ohio authorities investigating Geiger-Jones Co.; Mrs. Anderson’s death; etc.

                        Printed and illustrated billhead: manufacturers of flint glass bottles, with spray of oak leaves and acorns;

 

83x78.4           letter from Ted, Rodefer Glass Co., March 31, 1916, to Carl Rodefer, San Diego, Calif.: various business matters;

                        Printed letterhead for C.M. Rodefer, Rodefer Glass Company

 

.16a-b  letter from D.E.Ogan, secretary, Bryant Bros. Co., Columbus, O., July 15, 1916, to C.M. Roderer, Bellaire, Ohio: arranging a business meeting; with envelope;

                        Printed billhead: designers, fresco artists, & art glass workers, illustrated with eagles;

 

.17       bill from Minor Fire Brick Co., Cleveland, O., July 25, 1916: for bricks;

                        Printed and illustrated billhead: manufacturers of fire brick [etc.], illustrated with a brick;

 

.18       letter from John Kunzler, secretary, National Association of Manufacturers of Pressed and Blown Glassware, Pittsburgh, Pa., Oct. 23, 1916, to C.M. Rodefer: have not found his missing fountain pen;

                        Printed letterhead.

 

.19       bill from Pennsylvania Glass Sand Co., Lewistown, Pa., Dec. 7, 1916: for goods;

                        Printed billhead: white rock silica sand;

 

.20       letter from R.E. Dietz Company, New York, Sept. 14, 1917, to Rodefer: not getting along well at work and is looking for new opportunities;

                        Printed and illustrated letterhead: largest makers of lantern in the world; with views of factories in Syracuse and New York City

 

.21       letter from AHK, Geo. H. Bowman Co., Cleveland, O., Oct. 9, 1917, to C.M. Roderfer: about how to obtain additional pieces of some Japanese china;

                        Printed letterhead: dinnerware, glassware, silverware

 

.22       letter from Herbert Goodwin, Salem China Company, Salem, Ohio, Aug. 4, 1919, to Ruof & Bimeler, Hotal Zoar, Zoar, Ohio: asking for room rates and vacancies;

                        Printed letterhead: “a pottery of merit”

 

83x78.5           letter from Jas. M. Lewis, Consolidated Lamp & Glass Co., Coraopolis, Pa., May 13, 1920, to C.M. Rodefer: about an upcoming meeting regarding reorganization;

                        Printed and illustrated letterhead: view of factory

 

.23       carbon copy of letter from J. T. Fuller, no place, Jan. 9, 1920, to A.J. Bennett, Cambridge, Ohio: organization of Manufacturers Association

 

.24a-b  letter from C.B.Roe, Fostoria Glass Company, Moundsville, W.Va., Sept. 11, 1920, to C.M. Rodefer, San Diego, Calif.: does not think it a good idea to send men on European trip; poor business climate;

                        Printed and illustrated letterhead: flint glassware, decorated lamps, illustrated with an artist’s palette

 

83x78.6           confirmation telegram, from C.B. Roe, Sept. 11, 1920, to C.M. Rodefer, San Diego, Calif.: requests Rodefer’s opinion about a European trip

 

.24       letter from J.M. Doran, Gloria Light Company, Chicago, May 10, 1922, to C.M. Rodefer: about the company’s Oxo-Gas “Wonder Range”

                        Printed letterhead

 

.25       letter from Harry H. Cook, American Flint Glass Workers Union, Toledo, O., May 31, 1923, to C.M. Rodefer: about opal dental trays and other matters

                        Printed letterhead, illustrated with seal of the union

 

.26       shipping bill from Federal Clay Product Company, Mineral City, Ohio, July 17, 1923: for goods;

                        Printed form: manufacturers of high grade fire brick, [etc.], glass tank material of all kinds, [etc.]

 

.27       bill from H.L. Dixon Company, Pittsburgh, Pa., April 4, 1924: for repairs on furnace;

                        Printed billhead: engineers, contractors, manufacturers, jobbers, everything for the glasshouse, [etc.]

 

.28       letter from A.H. Heisey & Co., Newark, Ohio, April 18, 1924, to a long list of other companies including Rodefer Glass Co.: about an amendment regarding child labor

                        Printed letterhead: manufacturers of Heisey’s glassware;

 

.29       letter from W.A. Dalzell, American Association of Flint and Lime Glass Manufacturers, Inc., Pittsburgh, Pa., Sept. 2, 1924, to C.M. Rodefer, Victor G. Wicke, and John Beiswanger: the recipients have been chosen to be committee for Ohio to express opposition to proposed 20th amendment

 

.30       letter from John Kunzler, National Association of Manufacturers of Pressed and Blown Glassware, Pittsburgh, Pa., Sept. 18, 1924, to C.M. Rodefer, Asheville, N.C.: hopes his health improves; mailing copies of Mr. Roe’s paper; “The Punch Tumbler and Stemware conference agreed to work at last year’s scale, the workers having refused to make any concessions in wages.”

                        Printed letterhead.

 

.31a-c  letter from Fred’k P. Houck, American Flint Glass Workers’ Union, Fairmont, W.Va., Nov. 25, 1924, to C.M. Rodefer: enclosing newspaper articles [no longer present]; likes new home but does miss Bellaire; Fairmont is growing; products of Monongah Glass Co.

                        Printed letterhead, illustrated with seal of the union

 

.32       shipping bill from Berkeley Glass Sand Company, Berkeley Springs, W.Va., Feb. 16, 1926: for goods;

                        Printed form

 

.33       bill from Pittsburgh Clay Pot Company, Pittsburgh, Pa., Feb. 16, 1926: for Rodefer day tank;

                        Printed billhead: glass melting pots, tank blocks, [etc.]

 

.34       shipping bill from E.F. Millard, Berkeley Springs, W.Va., Nov. 4, 1926: shipping goods;

                        Printed form; manufacturer, glass sand;

 

.35       bill from Findlay Clay Products Co., Washington, Pa., June 10, 1929: for day tank, bricks, Missouri fire clay;

                        Printed billhead: glass melting pots, tank and furnace blocks; old company name has been crossed out: Findlay Clay Pot Co.

 

.36       letter from George Dougherty, general manager, Morgantown Glass Works, Morgantown, W.Va., July 8, 1933, to C.M. Rodefer: about having a representative of the Imperial Glass Corp. attend a conference

 

.37       bill from Belmont Tumbler Co., Bellaire, Ohio, Oct. 31, 1934: for goods;

                        Printed billhead: manufacturers of best quality thin blown glass tumblers, pressed glassware and novelties

 

.38       bill from Ohio Valley Clay Company, Steubenville, Ohio, Jan. 12, 1938: for goods, Missouri fire clay, pillar block;

                        Printed billhead: manufacturers of tank blocks and glass melting pots

 

.39       shipping bill from Pennsylvania Glass Sand Co., Lewistown, Pa., Jan. 20, 1938: for goods;

                        Printed billhead: white rock silica sand, with its logo: PGS Corp. on a keystone

 

.40       shipping bill from Imperial Glass Corporation, Bellaire, Ohio, Sept. 8, 1839: Rodefer’s share of freight bill on goods from Gill Clay Pot Company, Muncie, Ind.

                        Printed form: makers of quality glassware

 

.41       notes from C.W. Gleason, Gleason-Tiebout Glass Company, Brooklyn, N.Y., June 4, 1943, to Siebert: about vacations and necessity of keeping to time in filling government orders, with a schedule showing vacation times for the foremen;

                        Printed letterhead: manufacturers of lighting glassware

 

83x78.7           blank sheet of letterhead stationery for Rodefer-Gleason Glass Company, Bellaire, Ohio;

                        Printed letterhead: manufacturers of industrial glassware, lighting glassware, glass parts to specification; with address of sales office in New York City

 

83x78.8           business card of C.M. Rodefer, The Rodefer-Gleason Glass Company

 

 

Folders 2-3: “A Review of the Platforms” (acc. 83x78.1 and photocopy of it)

 

83x78.1           “A Review of the Platforms,” by C.M. Rodefer; an informal discussion before the Annual Meeting of the American Association of Flint and Lime Glass Manufacturers, Atlantic City, N.J., July 14, 1924;

                        Original and photocopy – use photocopy first because original is brittle

 

 

 

 

 

Volumes on shelf:

 

83x76.1           Sales account book, Jan. 2, 1879-March 31, 1881;

                                    Information includes customers’ names and locations, brief note of what purchased, and unit and total costs; early pages have some moisture damage; volume wrapped in paper to protect hands from corroding covers; (pages not numbered)

 

83x76.2           Sales account book, April 2, 1881-November 24, 1883;

                                    Same format as above (400 pages)

 

83x76.3           Sales account book, November 26, 1883-March 21, 1888;

                                    Same format as above (596 pages)

 

83x76.4           Petty cash book (daily expenditure ledger), January 1884-May 1886;

                                    Expenses include labor, telephone, “merchandise,” freight charges, house rent, coal, etc.

 

83x76.5           Petty cash book (daily expenditure ledger), June 1886-July 1888;

                                    Expenses include labor, wharfage, rags, telephone, etc.

 

83x76.6           Petty cash book (daily expenditure ledger), July 1888-December 1890;

                                    Expenses include labor, material, coal, pencils, blinds, dailies, etc.

 

83x76.7           Petty cash book (daily expenditure ledger), January 1891-December 1893;

                                    Expenses include labor, stationery, sand, soap, etc.