Libbey glass is synonymous with quality glassware in the United States. The Libbey glass brand dominates the U. S. Home and commercial glassware market. Although best known for serviceable and sometimes exquisite glassware today. Libbey has produced many types of glass over the years and often for promotional purposes.

The company produced colored, etched and gilded glassware, such as water pitchers, as well as doorknobs and lamps for railroads. The Libbey company struggled during the early years. Glass making was a labor intensive process and transporting materials to their location also detracted from their profitability.

Libbey manufacturing was relocated in 1877 moving to Toledo Ohio where the railway made materials easier to get and the city of Toledo became known for the products that the Libbey company produced. Libbey had a difficult time during the depression as did the rest of America and they turned to making inexpensive glassware and promotional items to stay solvent. Glassware from that era is collectible and the Libbey name is valued as much for its utility, beauty and craftsmanship as for the rarity of those vintage pieces.

Older pieces produced by Libbey were often etched and gilded. Colored glassware was popular as well and Libbey sets are highly sought after by collectors. Libbey collectors the world over seek that one pitcher or that etched and gilded glass high and low and vintage bar ware, table ware and serving ware brings prices their makers would find hard to believe.

In 1933 Libbey began producing custom and exquisite stemware and glassware again. These beautiful designs and exquisite pieces were a change from the hard to break tumblers and restaurant glass they had been making to show a profit. Shortly after Douglas Nash, a former Tiffany designer joined the team and led the design team to produce even more memorable designs including the Eagle and Star etch produced for the World’s Fair.

With such an illustrious and nearly 200 year long history it is not surprising that Libbey is a name seen in homes, restaurants and the display cabinets of collectors. What might be surprising is that although Libbey still produces high end custom wares they also count some of the largest U. S. Discount stores among their customers. From economical and hard to break drinking glasses to crystal clear wine glasses the company rules the industry in America.

Libbey has a full line of tableware, service ware and flatware for restaurants and hotels. During its early years the Libbey company maintained only a single manufacturing site in Toledo Ohio. Today though Libbey manufacturing can be found in ceramics, tableware, custom glassware in five different factories located in Toledo, Mexico, Louisiana, the Netherlands and China.

Libbey glass company clearly reflects the economic struggles and victories of the United States over its history. Over the years the company has flourished in good times and weathered the bad by meeting the current needs of the customer such as with water pitchers.