Leo Glass & Company, Inc. was founded by Leo Glass in September, 1928 (according to Brunialti). He had worked in costume jewelry for Lisner for 10 years as a representative before starting his own company. The head office of Leo Glass was in NYC, the company went bankrupt in 1957 with all goods auctioned off on August 27, 1957.
At first, the company also imported as well as manufactured and the first collections in the Spring, 1929 were called "Season's Sensation" and Hawaian Lei Motif Jewelry."
From the start of production until 1941, the merchandise was of the highest quality, on sale in the best stores throughout the country. In 1941, Leo Glass announced the company was entering the popular price jewelry field (perhaps when the clear rhinestone jewelry line started). By the 2nd half of the 1940s, creativity and quality subsided to a medium-low standard.
Key designers: Leo Glass, Ann Glass, Beatrice Glass, and in 1941, David Mir, who also worked for Trifari.
Marks: Leo Glass in cursive within a polygonal plate; Leo Glass Sterling in an oval plate
From Brunialti, A Tribute to America, pg 34.
Date(s): December 22, 2002. Album by Cathy Gordon. 1 - 16 of 16 Total. 28422 Visits.
When I was a little girl in Rochester New York I was walking in the snow. I was about five years old at the time. The sun was shining and I saw something shining through the snow. I bent down and pushed the snow away to find angels looking back at me. I picked it up in my mittens and with excitement ran back home. I gave it to my mother and was excited to see angels. At that time I had no idea about the jewelry but all I saw was the angels. Mom put it away for many years. I was in my 40's when she gave it back to me and I realized it was a pin and Leo Glass on the back of it. I am 75 now. Those angels were with me all of my life because as a child I felt angels were with me that day. Soon after finding the angels in the snow my mother and myself took a long journey for the times. She ran away with me and changed our identity and that is another story but never to return. I told my daughter when I gave it to her to take it to antique dealer if she chooses. Can you advise and thank you. It has been a blessed memory I was given as a child finding the pin. - Sandy Ortner, Sat, 7 Oct 2017 3:56AM
Thank you so much for the information. I am researching a leo glass set I have of my mothers. - Virginia Holk, Sun, 9 Nov 2014 1:28PM
About 55 years ago, my father gave my mother a beautiful Leo Glass necklace and earring set that is sterling mesh with stones. I would like to purchase a new box to keep this set in. It is beautiful and should be kept in our family. Thank you - Rickey Garner, Wed, 2 Apr 2014 12:57PM
I have a broach(I think) that is silver with nine chains hanging down from it at different lengths with charms on the ends. It has the typical signature of Leo Glass on the back. This was my great grandmothers and I would love to know what it is. - Mary Julian, Wed, 30 Jan 2013 5:56PM
I have an interesting Leo Glass brooch in a chatelaine style. I would love to know it's age and approximate value. - Margaret Alcala, Thu, 12 Apr 2012 3:09PM
1 Fabulous Leo Glass bib necklace of cranberry glass and pearl strands hanging from an elaborate chain. Signed Leo Glass on a hangtag.
2 Leo Glass necklace of blue glass beads and freeform shapes. Not signed but components are the same as the prior necklace.
3 Comparison of two necklaces showing similar glass and necklace clasps.
4 Leo Glass "Thumbs Up" fur clip advertised in Vogue, October 1, 1940. Designed by Ann Glass, signed Leo Glass. I do not know what the Pep signature on the metal circle stands for, though I have seen other jewelry signed "Pep." See Brunialti1 pgs 223, 224.
5 Leo Glass cuff bracelet in gilt metal and lapis blue enamel and lapis blue glass cabs. Very three-dimensional. Signed Leo Glass.
6 Another view of the cuff bracelet.
7 Leo Glass enamel fish with large red glass cabs and a pearl "bubble" in his mouth. Signed Leo Glass.
8 Red Heart Leo Glass fur clip: 3 3/8 inches long by 2 1/8 inches wide. Large faceted red heart shaped open-backed rhinestone, set with pave clear rhinestones. Cobalt blue beads topped with clear rhinestones, in a rhodium plated setting. Marked Leo Glass in script. Owned by Mary of Rockygems.
9 Aqua leaves Leo Glass pin: 4 3/4 inches long by 2 3/4 inches wide. All faceted aqua marquise, square, oval and round rhinestones all prong-set (except for squares, which are bezel set), and all are open backed. Pearls are prong-set as well. Trombone clasp and marked Leo Glass in script. Owned by Mary of Rockygems.
10 Three Leo Glass pieces, from top:
A wonderful retro bow pin with lavender enamel and a huge amethyst 6-sided glass stone and smaller amethyst glass stones.
A machine-age bracelet of heavy gold-tone links.
A gold-tone metal and red glass bow pin.
All are signed Leo Glass.
11 Back of bow pin.
12 Leo Glass retro pin in gold-washed sterling with an aqua-colored rhinestone as a centerpiece. Signed in an oval plaque, Leo Glass Sterling.
13 Leo Glass clear rhinestone necklace and earrings. Labeled Rivoli (probably jewelry line name). Signed Leo Glass Sterling.
14 Leo Glass sterling pin.
15 Really crummy view of the Leo Glass signature!
16 Another really crummy view of the Leo Glass Sterling oval plaque.
