Ysart Glass - the companies and their staff.
This page is intended to provide a single point of reference to the companies related to Ysart Glass and its descendants; all other pages will be reviewed against this page.
The list is sequenced by Salvador Ysart’s moves until his death, and then by Paul Ysart’s moves, or chronologically if not directly involving an Ysart. Where a country is not specified for a location, then it is Scotland. Company details are on a Green ground and individuals on a Blue ground, lighter or darker shades are just used for clarity.
Companies on a yellow ground still exist in 2005, in one form or another.
All names and dates without a question mark have been completely validated.
|
| The companies and their staff |
| Company |
Person |
Dates |
Notes |
|
?, Spain
|
Salvador Isart |
c.1888 - 1909 |
Salvador served apprenticeship. |
|
?, Lyons, France
|
Salvador Isart |
1909 - 1914? |
Salvador expanding horizons; attracted by the Nancy movement started by Galle. |
|
Schneider Freres et Wolf, Epinay-sur-Seine, France
|
company
|
191? - 1914 |
Lightbulb manufacturer; Schneider brothers preparing their designs for Art Glass at this time. |
| Salvador Isart |
1914 - 1914 |
Glassblowing and lightbulb making |
|
Leith Flint Glass Company (Jenkinson’s), Edinburgh
a.k.a. Edinburgh & Leith Flint Glass. Since 1955 known as Edinburgh Crystal Glass Company.
|
company
|
1864 - present? |
Started in 1864 by a J Thomas at 33 Leith Walk and sold three years later to Alexander D. Jenkinson (1821-80) who relocated to Norton Park in 1876. Purchased by Webb’s Crystal Glass Co, Stourbridge in 1920. Edinburgh Crystal introduced thereafter. Taken over by Crown Group in 1964 and started to relocate, in 1969, to Penicuik, outside Edinburgh. The Norton Works were demolished in the 1970’s. A J H B Miller is reported as owning a glassworks in Norton Place, according to the Scotsman newspaper of 8th August 1866 - is this the same works? |
| Salvador Ysart |
1915 - 1916 |
Senior Glassblower, teaching lightbulb making. |
| Paul Ysart |
1915 - 1916 |
Trainee glassblower. |
|
A & R Cochran Limited, St Rollox Glassworks, Glasgow.
|
company
|
? - until closure ? |
Lightbulbs likely. I cannot find any information about this company. Possibly also a pottery. |
| Salvador Ysart |
1916 - closure |
Lightbulb making was mechanised c. 1922 |
| Paul Ysart |
1916 - closure |
Trainee glassblower. |
|
John Moncrieff Ltd, North British Glassworks, Perth.
|
company
|
1868 - 1998
|
Limited company, 1905.
South Street Perth 1868-81.
St. Catherine’s Road, Perth 1881/2-1998. Scientific glass-blowing. Targets for shotgun practice, Monax, Unific, Monart Glass, Paul Ysart paperweights.
1952 owners: David Bennie & Sons Ltd of Glasgow.
During 1980’s the company was owned, at different times, by Hopkinson Holdings, Reed International, The Caradon Group.
Between 150 and 160 people worked at Moncrieff’s in 1962.
In 1989 it was bought by management: Colin Mayor and David Petrie.
1992, bought from receivership by Fuller Investments, chaired by Christopher Lattila-Campbell. The name was changed from John Moncrieff Ltd to “Monax” a brand name for the type of borosilicate glass that was made.
Mrs Lattila-Campbell was very interested in building the art glass side of the business and developed some very innovative uses for old stocks of laboratory ware, milk jars etc. She toured craft fairs with a stand not dissimilar to the Ysart Brothers Glass, “Vasart exhibition” in 1950, see p.34, Ysart Glass.
In December 1995, the company ceased production in Perth, but continued as a trading company.
1998, another management buy-out and the company moved to Inverkeithing, Fife. This company is now known as Monax Glass, still active 2002.
In 2000 a new company, John Moncrieff Limited, was set up with the goal of developing the company to its former status. |
| John Moncrieff Snr. |
1865 - 1899 |
Founder |
| John H. E. Moncrieff Jnr. |
? - 1933 |
Son of founder, Chairman until forced to resign in 1933. |
| ? Moncrieff (3) |
18? - 1917 |
Works Manager. Nephew of John M. Sr. |
| ? Moncrieff (4) |
c.1915 - 1942 |
Office staff. Son of Moncrieff (3) |
| ? Moncrieff (5) |
? - 19? |
Glassblower. Son of Moncrieff (3) |
| ? Moncrieff (6) |
? - 19? |
Glassblower. Son of Moncrieff (3) |
| Isobel Moncrieff |
? - 1933? |
Wife of John M. Jnr. Involved in Monart marketing and design. Also involved in “Wedding Gift” design in 1947. |
| Salvador Ysart |
1922 - 1945 |
Scientific glassblowing. Monax, Monart Glass, Millefiori from 1922, mostly used in objects not weights. The ‘Y’ cane attributed to him (not proven). |
| Paul Ysart |
1922 - 1963 |
Apprenticeship with father, Salvador. Paperweights from early 1930’s. Monart Glass late 1920’s to 1961. Scientific glassblowing. |
| Augustine Ysart |
c.1935 - 1945 |
Apprenticeship (4 years c.1925?) Monart Glass late c.1935 to 1939. Scientific glassblowing. |
| Antoine Ysart |
c.1935 - 1942 |
Apprenticeship (4 years c.1925?) Monart Glass late c.1935 to 1939. Scientific glassblowing. |
| Vincent Ysart |
c.1935 - 1945 |
Apprenticeship (4 years c.1927?) Monart Glass late c.1937 to 1939. Scientific glassblowing. |
| John Dickie |
1900 - 196? |
Master Glassmaker. |
| Jesus Braso |
1930’s - ? |
Scientific glassblowing. Monart?. Made the “Braso” baskets in spare time. |
| Chic Young |
1947 - 1963 |
Apprenticeship to Paul Ysart. Assistant to Paul Ysart. Glassblower. |
| Jimmy Walker |
19?? - 19?? |
Chemist involved in Monart Cameo attempts during 1920’s. |
| T. Kaye |
19?? - 1942 |
Director |
| John Kaye |
1942 - 19?? |
Director, son of T. Kaye. |
| W. A. Aslett |
19?? - 19?? |
Director (in 1947) |
| D. T. Turner |
1941 - 19?? |
Director |
|
Schuster & Wilhelmy Chemische Fabrik.
Reichenbach near Görlitz, OL, Germany (East)
a.k.a. ? Haeubner & Dobschall
|
company
|
1866 - present |
Suppliers of the coloured enamels used in Monart Glass until 1939. (Paul Ysart’s recollection via Ian Turner, Ysart Glass 1990.)
Founded in 1866 by Mr.F. Wilhelmy and Dr.R. Schuster. Company went through several name changes; VEB Rubinglashuette Reichenbach, Farbglaswerk Reichenbach, known since 1990 as Farbglashütte Reichenbach GmbH
website 2008
Additional data in Haanstra’s book (Miller’s Glass Fact File A-Z) under Reichenbacher p.119.
In the 1930’s-40’s, the grandson of Gustav Haeubner, Mr. Klaus Kügler, took charge of the company after having studied with Prof. Springer. Until the very last days of World War II the company produced glass. An incendiary bomb destroyed part of the roof. Mr. Kügler and his smelter Mr. Herzog managed to save the building. Soon after they had to flee when Russian troups moved into this part of Germany.
After the war, Mr. Kügler started his own plant in West Germany, in Haunstaetten near Augsburg in Southern Germany. With his great expertise in glass-melting techniques, he re-produced the world famous Reichenbach colours. Glass-works the world over could continue to rely on coloured glass from Germany. He added new colours to the production and started a new branch, the Studio-Glasbewegung (Studio Glass Movement). Later he passed on his knowledge to the “Friedrich-Farbglashuette in Neugablonz”.
|
|
Klaus Kügler, Haunstaetten, nr. Augsburg, Germany (West).
(Klaus was a former manager of Haeubner & Dobschall of Reichenbach)
|
company
|
c.1946 - present? |
Suppliers of the coloured enamels used in Monart Glass after the War c.1947. Also supplied Vasart? and Strathearn. |
|
Gilbert Martin Dêpot??
Rue de Paradis, Paris, France.
|
company |
? - 19? |
Suppliers of the aventurine used in Monart. (Can anyone provide more data?) |
|
Monish Glass Machine Company Ltd.
|
company
|
193? - 19? |
A company set up by Moncrieff to market and develop the “Monish” bottle making machines and other glass mechanisations. |
|
Ysart Brothers Glass, Shore Works, Perth.
renamed 1956 Vasart Glass Limited, Shore Works, Perth.
In 1965 taken over by Teacher’s Whisky and re-located to Crieff. New company name Strathean Glass.
|
company
|
1946 - 1956
1956 - 1964 |
Vasart Glass, Vasart Paperweights. Pirelli Glass decorating contracts from 1949. Teacher’s Whisky bottle ashtrays. |
| Salvador Ysart |
1946 - 1955 |
Vasart Glass. It is not known if he retired prior to his death. |
| Augustine Ysart |
1946 - 1956 |
Vasart Glass. Paperweights. |
| Vincent Ysart |
1946 - 1964 |
Vasart Glass. Paperweights, weight decorated objects, gearstick knobs, Teacher’s Whisky bottle ashtrays. |
| Catherine Ysart |
1946 - 1964 |
Wife of Vincent. Employed to help packing, signing and setting-up weight cane layouts. |
| Bob Wishart |
1946 - ? |
Duties unknown. |
| Harry Lever |
1946 - ? |
Duties unknown. |
| Boy, name unknown |
1946 - ? |
Duties unknown. |
| (Robert) George Dunlop |
1956 - 1964 |
Director. Helped Vincent to set-up and run the limited company. May have been involved as early as 1949. |
| Joe Dickson |
c. 1956 - ? |
Grinder. |
| Jack Allan |
1948 - 1964 |
Glassblower. |
| Albert Jolly |
19? - 19? |
Glassblower. (c. 1961) |
| Andrew Moncrieff |
19? - 19? |
Glassblower. (c. 1961) |
| Stuart Drysdale |
1960 - 1964 |
Lawyer, hired to manage company. Became director in 1961. |
| Pat Allan |
c.1956 - ? |
Wife of Jack. Finisher and paperweight assembler. |
| Nelly Reed |
c.1956 - ? |
Finisher and paperweight assembler. |
| Jesus Braso |
1963 - 1963 |
Came out of retirement to help Vasart with Downing Street shades. See Purdue article |
| Dave Moir |
1954 - 1964 |
Apprentice to Master Glassmaker. |
|
Wengers Limited, Etruria, Stoke on Trent, England.
Now known as Potterycraft Ltd.
|
company
|
1870 - present |
Manufacturers of Colours, Chemicals, Glazes, Minerals and materials for the Pottery, Tile, Brick, Glass and Vitreous Enamelling Industries; founded by Mr Albert Francis Wenger in Cobridge, then Hanley and Etruria 1900. Suppliers of the coloured enamels used in Vasart after the War c.1946. Incorporated: T Brougham, est. 1820; T. Phillips, Est. 1860; W S Toplass, Est. 1841 and T Aidney & Co., Est. 1855.
The earlier rumours that Vasart used colours for tiles probably arose from someone hearing about this company and not realising that they used to supply glass colours. For glass they supplied: colours (Transparent, Opaque and Grisaille) for firing on glass at temperatures of 500-600 degrees Celsius, iridescent preparation, silver stain. |
|
Strathearn Glass Ltd, Crieff.
|
company
|
1964 - 1980 |
Subsidiary company of William Teacher & Sons Ltd. Decorative glass-ware and paperweights. Set up in 1964 started manufacture January 1965. |
| Vincent Ysart |
1965 - 1965 |
Glass. Paperweights. |
| (Robert) George Dunlop |
1965? - 19?? |
Managing Director in 1977? |
| Stuart Drysdale |
1965 - 1968 |
Lawyer, and Founder. |
| Jack Allan |
1965 - 1968 |
Glassblower, designer, paperweight maker. |
| John Deacons |
1968 - 1978 |
Trainee/apprentice?
Glassmaker and paperweight maker. |
| Alasdair C. Gordon |
1973 - 1980 |
Engraver. Trained under Helen Monroe-Turner graduating in 1957. Set up his own engraving studio at Strathearn. |
| Angus C. M. Sillars |
1964 - 1980 |
Designer,
Design Director. |
| Herbert Dreier |
19?? - 1980 |
Master Craftsman. 1981 Stuart Crystal, 1997 Stuart & Sons, Plowden & Thompson 2001- |
| Chic Young |
1969 - 1973 |
Glassblower |
| Dave Moir |
1965 - 1980 |
Master Glassmaker, from 1968 Head Glassblower Strathearn Glass |
| R. M. Teacher |
1964 - 19?? |
Chairman. Also Chairman of Teacher & Sons |
| A. K. Bergius |
1964 - 19?? |
Director. Also Director of Teacher & Sons |
| G. T. Dunlop |
1964 - 19?? |
Director. Also Director of Teacher & Sons. |
| Sheona Wilson |
c.1980 |
Engraver continued Alasdair Gordon's studio after he emigrated. |
|
Paul Ysart Paperweights ?company name?, Harland.
|
company
|
1971 - 1975 |
Paperweights with ‘PY’ cane for US; ‘H’ cane and unsigned weights for UK market. |
| Robert ‘Bert’ Gunn |
1971 - 1975 |
Financed Paul Ysart at Harland. |
| Louise Gunn |
1971 - 1975 |
Daughter of Robert Gunn, Part-time packer. |
| Paul Ysart |
1971 - 1975 |
Paperweight maker. “Father of the Modern Paperweight” (Jointly with Charles Kaziun) |
| William Manson |
1971 - 1974 |
Completing apprenticeship to Paul Ysart. Assistant to Paul Ysart. Weights with WM cane ?? |
|
Paul Ysart Glass Limited, Harland (2).
|
company
|
1975 - 1982 |
Paperweights with ‘PY’ cane exclusively for Paul Jokelson USA, ‘H’ cane and unsigned weights for UK market. Company was formed on 1st May 1975 in Edinburgh, No 57842. In August 1975 shares were issued to Paul Jokelson, Paperweight importer living in the USA (25); Edmond Rottemborg, a French industrialist living in Paris (25); Paul Lorraine, a retired Britain living in Paris (25); Paul Ysart (24), Margaret Ysart (1). Sales in 1976 were £15,763 and a net loss of £15,321 was reported for that year. A loan of £23,590.52 was made by Paul Jokelson. Company dissolved 3rd December, 1982. Production ceased in 1979 when Paul Ysart retired. Equipment sold to Peter Holmes of Selkirk Glass in 1981. |
| Paul Ysart |
1975 - 1979 |
Paperweight maker. “Father of the Modern Paperweight” (Jointly with Charles Kaziun) |
| David Hurry |
1975 - 1979 |
Apprentice Paperweight maker. |
|
Highland Paperweights Limited, Harland (3).
|
company
|
1977 - 1979 |
Paperweights with ‘H’ cane and unsigned weights for UK market. |
| Paul Ysart |
1977 - 1979 |
Paperweight maker. “Father of the Modern Paperweight” (Jointly with Charles Kaziun) |
|
Pirelli Glass Ltd, Potters Bar, UK.
|
company
|
1945 - 1985 |
Scientific glass, Lampwork animals; marketing of glass and pottery including Vasart glass and paperweights. Some sold under Pirelli name. Company wound up in 1983, liquidated in 1985. Subsidiary of Hertford China and Glass Industries Limited. |
| (Robert) George Dunlop |
1945 - 19?? |
Director, Scientific glassmaker. |
| John Henry Hollingdale |
1945 - 19?? |
Director, Scientific glassmaker. |
| Brian John Dunlop |
19?? - 198? |
1968 Managing Director. Son of George Dunlop. |
| Edward H. C. Maughan |
194? - 19?? |
Glassmaker (1948). |
| Edward Robbins |
194? - 19?? |
Glassmaker (1948). |
| William Michael Dunlop |
194? - 19?? |
Glassmaker, Jig and Pattern maker (1948). |
|
Caithness Glass Ltd, Perth.
|
company
|
1960 - present |
Decorative glassware and paperweights.
Since 2003, Wick closed and taken over by Edinburgh Crystal
|
| Lord Thurso (Robin Sinclair) |
1960 - 19?? |
Founder. |
| Graeme (or Graham) Brown |
? - 1979 |
Managing Director c1966-79. |
| Ron Hutchinson |
19?? - 1977 |
Sales Manager. |
| Colin Terris MBE |
1968 - 2002 (retired) |
Engraver 1968. Designer 1970. |
| Peter Holmes |
1969 - 1977 |
Trainee 1969. Head of Paperweight team 1975. Making Jewellery c1970-c1977 |
| Philip Holmes |
19?? - 1978 |
Paperweight maker. Brother of Peter. |
| John Deacons |
196? - 1968 |
Trainee/Apprentice?. |
| Jack Allan |
1974 - 19?? |
Glassblower, designer, paperweight maker. Designed “Flowers in the Rain” for Caithness. |
| William Manson |
1966 - 1970 AND 1981 - 1997 |
Trainee, apprentice to Paul Ysart. Weights with ‘WM’ cane 1991-97 |
| David McGregor |
19?? - 1978 |
Paperweight maker. |
| Herbert Dreier |
1963 - 196? |
Glassblower. 19?? Strathearn Glass, Master Craftsman.
1981 Stuart Crystal, 1997 Stuart & Sons, Plowden & Thompson 2001- |
| Allan Scott |
1983 - 2007 |
Lampworker/Designer |
| Chic Young |
1963 - 1969 |
Glassblower |
| Franco Toffolo |
1981 - 2002 |
Italian Master glassmaker. Worked on glassware including Ysart style glassware. See entry here |
|
Perthshire Paperweights Ltd, Crieff.
|
company
|
1968 - 2002 |
Paperweights and some decorative glassware. |
| Stuart Drysdale |
1968 - 1990 |
Lawyer. Founder. |
| Neil Drysdale |
19?? - 20?? |
son of Stuart. Manager. |
| Jack Allan |
c.1968 - 1974 |
Glassblower, designer, paperweight maker. Made “Witches Ball” a one-off weight at Perthshire (see Paperweights from Gretat Britain, Simmonds). |
| John Deacons |
1968 - 1978 |
Trainee/Apprentice?. Glassmaker/paperweight maker |
| Allan Scott |
1975 - 1979 |
Apprentice and Lampworker |
| Peter McDougall |
1968 - 2001 |
Paperweights and Glassware |
| Chic Young |
1973 - 19?? |
Glassblower |
| Angus Hutchinson |
1968 - 19?? |
Lampworker |
| Duncan Smith |
19?? - 19?? |
Lampworker |
| Roy McDonald |
1968? - 19?? |
Paperweights |
| Anton Moravic |
1968? - 19?? |
Paperweights |
| John Parsley |
19?? |
Paperweights |
| Alan Tilman |
c1969? - 19?? |
Designer? |
|
Selkirk Glass Ltd.
|
company
|
1977 - present |
Paperweights and some decorative glassware. |
| Peter Holmes |
1977 - |
Founder. Important paperweight maker, signature cane ‘PH’. Master craftsmen. Glassware. |
| Ron Hutchinson |
1977 - ? |
Founder. Sales & Marketing. |
| Philip Holmes |
1978 - ?? |
Paperweight maker. |
| David Gulland |
19?? - ? |
Role not known. |
| David McGregor |
1978 - ? |
Paperweight maker. |
| James McBeath |
19?? - |
Paperweight maker. |
|
Jay Glass (Ltd?).
|
company
|
1978 - 1983 |
Paperweights and some decorative glassware. Most weights were miniatures in editions of 100 or less. |
| John Deacons |
1978 - 1983 |
Founder. Important paperweight maker, signature canes ‘J’, ‘JD’ & ‘STK’. Some glassware. |
| Allan Scott |
1979 - 1983 |
Lampworker, designer. ‘A’ signature cane |
|
John Deacons Paperweights.
|
company
|
c1984 - present |
Paperweights and some decorative glassware. |
| John Deacons |
1978 - 1983 |
Founder. Important paperweight maker, signature canes ‘J’, ‘JD’ & ‘STK’. Some glassware. |
| Franco Toffolo |
2002 - 20?? |
Retired Master glassmaker. Using John Deacons facilities c2002, occasional Ysart style glassware. |
|
William Manson Paperweights, Kilwinning.
|
company
|
1979 - 1981 |
Paperweights. |
| William Manson |
1979 - 1981 |
Founder. Paperweight maker. Glassmaker. |
| Graeme Brown |
1979 - 1981 |
Role? |
|
Stuart Strathearn, Crieff.
|
company
|
1980 - 200? |
Decorative glassware. Lead Crystal engraving. |
| Herbert Dreier |
1980 - 1997 |
Master Craftsman. 1997 Stuart & Sons, Wales. |
|
William Manson Paperweights, Perth.
|
company
|
1997 - 2004 |
Paperweights. ‘Manart’ glassware. |
| William Manson |
1997 - 2004 |
Founder. Important paperweight maker, glass maker. |
| William Manson (Junior) |
1997 - 2004 |
Son of founder, paperweight maker, glass maker. |