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. 29836 Visits.
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.
