The Sterling Glass Company
by Ray Klingensmith
Reprinted from "INSULATORS - Crown Jewels of the Wire", January 1984, page 19
For many years insulator collectors have attempted to solve the mystery of the origin of the
"Sterling" insulators. Many theories were brought forth, but no
positive attribution came about. It seemed very likely there was a link to the
"Hawley" or Harloe Insulator Company items. Close examination of some
CD 102, 112 and 164 "Hawleys" showed some traces of an earlier mark in
the mold. Upon this close examination of the Hawleys, one could see under the
existing H.I.CO. trademark and Hawley, PA lettering, a blocked out "£"
and/or "STERLING". This indicated the molds were originally engraved
for Sterling, and at a later date the original lettering was filled in and the
mold re-engraved for the Harloe marking. When and where the Sterlings were made
was a very good question. For a long time the theory of them having been made in
or near Sterling, Pennsylvania, a small town near Hawley, appeared a good
possibility. But making guesses wasn't enough to satisfy some collectors.
Three
years ago, curious about a little info made available to me on some new Jersey
area glasshouses, I made a ten day trip "back East". It was on that
trip, while researching some other glass companies that made insulators in the
area, that I accidentally discovered some very interesting info on the Sterling
Glass Company of Elmer, New Jersey.
The insulator producing glasshouses (yes,
there were more than one) of Elmer, New Jersey, have a long and interesting
history. There were at least two different factory locations in town, being
known at the time as the "upper works" and the "lower
works", in reference to their location in Elmer. Although the upper works
was the larger of the two, and over the years produced a very large quantity of
insulators, I'll not go into detail on it in this article, as I plan to do at
least two additional articles on it and the lower works in upcoming issues.
My
research of the lower works was primarily in the period 1900-1909 as earlier use
of the factory primarily involved the manufacture of window glass. I do,
however, feel a little history of the site should be given. Following is an
excerpt from an article which appeared in the August 15, 1968 edition of The
Elmer Times. This was a souvenir edition, celebrating the 75th anniversary of
the borough of Elmer, New Jersey, containing many articles and photos of the
history of Elmer:
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Elmer history shows the existence of two glass houses which
were operated in the late 1800's and early 1900's. A third business was set up
for a short time in the 1920's.
The first house was built around 1885, on the
corner of Park Avenue and Center Street. Clark Window Light Company of Bridgeton
came to Elmer to open the business. The town of Elmer erected the structure
which was called the Elmer Window Light Company. The actual owner of the firm
was a stock company composed of several glass blowers. The first manager was
Lolly LaMarr. The company ran for a few years, manufacturing only window glass,
and then closed down.
In 1889 the house was bought at sheriff's auction by
Butcher and Waddington and production commenced shortly thereafter. The house
had eight pot furnaces at that time. Butcher and Waddington dissolved their
partnership in about 1893, and Butcher moved the Elmer works to Malaga. The
business was also unsuccessful at Malaga.
In 1893 the house was shut down till
approximately 1895, when it was purchased by a man named Deijo from Brooklyn. He
opened up a bottle house that existed only a short while and also failed.
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My own
personal research showed the property, consisting of 2.67 acres, was purchased
by Albert L. Sturr, the premises being conveyed to him by Robert N. Vanneman,
late sheriff of the county of Salem, by his deed dated January 26, 1900. After
spending several hours searching through turn of the century issues of The
Elmer Times, the following references were found concerning the lower works:
1901
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Feb. 15
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A. L. Sturr talks about turning the old Elmer Glass Works into an
ice plant, tearing down such buildings as would not be needed for that purpose.
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May 3
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John Gilchrist, after assisting in putting up some heavy machinery at the
old Elmer Glass Works last week, spent Sun day in Philadelphia, returning to
Elmer Monday morning where he had an attack of appendicitis at the home of
Charles Boone where he boards.
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May 3
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The Improved Gilchrist Jar Company have
been pushing the alteration at the old glass works this week and getting their
machinery and shafting ready for work. Clinton John son has been assisting in
putting up the shafting, etc. They expect to be making jar tops by May 15.
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May
17
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The Gilchrist Improved Jar Co. is the way the new sign reads on the office of
the old Elmer Glass Works.
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June 7
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The Gilchrist Improved Jar Company are
receiving many orders. They are having the jars made, at present, at Washington,
Pa.
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1902
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Feb. 14
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An addition 16 x 20 is being built to the old Elmer Glass
Works.
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Feb. 14
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Machinery is to be placed in the old Elmer Glass Works for the
manufacture of mason jar caps.
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April 4
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The machinery recently placed in the old
Elmer Glass Works for the manufacture of mason jar caps will turn out the lids
in a marvelous fashion and with great rapidity. It is persistently rumored that
the manufacture of glassware will also be carried on in the works by a sub-tennant.
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April 11
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The Sterling Glass Company is the name of the incorporation
which is to make glass at the old Elmer Glass Works. It is composed of out of
town residents.
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April 11
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Workmen have been industriously engaged in erecting the
new furnace at the old Elmer Glass Works this week, and it is supposed the
furnace will be completed and ready to melt glass by May first.
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At this time,
rather than continue on with the newspaper insertions, I'll go into a little
more detail on Sterling.
Further research at the Salem County Courthouse brought
forth even more info on the company. The Sterling Glass Company operated the
plant on a lease, with Albert L. Sturr owner of the premises. The filing for the
incorporation of the Sterling Glass Company was received at the state offices on
April 7, 1902, and filed on April 11, 1902. The location of the principal office
was listed as being in the Borough of Elmer, in the County of Salem, and State
of New Jersey. The total authorized capital stock of the corporation was set at
fifty thousand dollars, divided into one thousand shares of the par value of
fifty dollars each. The incorporators were listed as:
Name
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Post office address
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Number of shares
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Ellison Elmer
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Bridgeton, N.J.
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12
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Newton Elmer
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Bridgeton, N.J.
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4
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Frank H.
Gibson
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Bridgeton, N.J.
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4
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Another document, dated June 30, 1902, involving the Sterling
Glass Company and Frank M. Riley as trustee, shows the company officers to be
Ellison Elmer, President and Treasurer, and Newton Elmer, Secretary.
Now that we
have an understanding of the involvement of the Elmers, Sturr and the Sterling
Glass Company, it will be more easily understood that on March 22, 1902, Albert
Sturr leased the property and factory to Ellison Elmer, who, in turn, assigned
it to Sterling Glass Company.
Following is a continuation of references found in
The Elmer Times:
1902
April 23
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The Sterling Glass Company started fire under
their new furnace at the old Elmer Glass Works last Saturday. There are now
three corporations doing business at these works, and still there is room in the
big plant. The Sterling Company is composed of Ellison Elmer, Newton Elmer, and
Frank Gibson, of Bridgeton, and will run one furnace at present on pressed ware.
The New Jersey Metal Company, composed of city people, have machinery for making
mason jar lids which they turn out at a rapid rate. The Gilchrist Improved Jar
Company, composed chiefly of Pennsylvania people, are manufacturing the lids for
the Gilchrist jar.
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June 6
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The Sterling Glass Company have been making glass at
the old Elmer Glass Works this week for the first time. They have one press in
operation.
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Oct. 3
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The Sterling Glass Company were forced to block their fires
this week owing to inability to obtain coal.
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Oct. 31
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The Sterling Glass Company
blocked their fires Thursday, owing to inability to obtain coal.
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1903
Jan. 16
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A
car of soft coal arrived yesterday for the Sterling Glass Company.
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Mar. 13
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Work
will be resumed at the Sterling Glass Works next Monday.
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Aug. 14
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The Harloe
Insulator Company, of Hawley, Pa., which succeeds the Sterling Glass Company
last March in operating the old Elmer Glass Works, have had the plant closed
down this week for repairs and have put a new cap on the furnace. They will
start up again next week and perhaps continue making insulators all summer. In
addition to manufacturing the ordinary Western Union Insulator, they are
patentees and manufacturers of the Harloe Insulator, which is pronounced by many
to be superior to any insulator now on the market.
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From the above insertions,
one can see Sterling's struggle for success in the insulator market was not at
all helped by its inability to obtain coal for firing the furnace. I'm not
certain at this time, but I do seem to recall mention, of a miners' strike at
that time period, which could explain the scarcity of coal. At any rate,
Sterling was in operation at this site for less than one year. The mention of
Harloe taking over the plant in 1903 was one of the most exciting discoveries
I've yet made in my research. It clearly explains the connection between the two
companies. Although I have more info on the Harloe operation in Elmer and also
in Hawley, Pennsylvania, I'm saving it for a future Harloe article.
Although
Sterling was in business for a short period of time, their insulators have been
found in fair numbers and in various locations. To date they are known in four
styles: CD 102 pony, CD 112 exchange, CD 160 signal, and CD 164 signal. All that
I have seen are aqua in color. The pony comes in at least two embossing
variations, one being marked with the insignia "£" on front and back,
the other being marked "£" on one side and "STERLING" on the
other. The ponies are also found in two style variants, one being taller and
more slender than the other shorter, larger domed type. How many molds there
were of each type is unknown to me, but I did note the two CD 160's I presently
have on hand have slightly different letter arrangement, so there were at least
two molds of that type.
The shorter, larger domed variant of the Sterling pony
is shown at the left. At the right is a CD 102 Hawley. Sterlings can be found in
the same slender, taller style as the Hawley. Some of the Hawley ponies, upon
close inspection, will reveal traces of Sterling embossing having been blocked
out in the mold. |
On the following page are more photos showing the "£"
trademark and the "Sterling" embossing.
Hopefully, the material in
this article will answer most of the questions concerning Sterling. I'm fairly
satisfied knowing what I do about the company during its operation, but am a
little curious about how Ellison and Newton Elmer became involved in the
insulator business, and whether another trip to Jersey would reveal, perhaps, a
connection with even another earlier glass company.
That's all for this month.
Before closing, however, I'd like to thank everyone who wrote or personally made
comment on my "How to Dig a Threadless" article which appeared in C.J.
awhile back. As some of you long time subscribers recall, it was my first
article in a long time. It sure is rewarding (and motivating to get busy and do
more writing) when there is some response out there. Thanks.
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