Albany Glass: Model Flint Glass Company of Albany, Indiana

This book boasts a little bit of everything, providing company history and all the pertinent information the author could find on each of Albany's patterns. Listed alphabetically from Ala-Bock through Ways' Beaded Swirl, a description of each pattern includes what types of pieces were made, when they were made, in what colors, and other definitive tidbits about the patterns. The descriptions are well illustrated by black and white drawings reprinted from the 1900-1902 National Glass Company's Export Catalogue, and advertisements from the Butler Brothers Spring 1902 catalog. Exquisite color photography, and sharper-than-life detail of crystal ware. Value guide included.

Indiana native Ron Teal sold his wholesale automotive business in February, 1990 at the age of 48. After 25 years as a business owner and manager, the demands and sacrifices urged Teal to reture. Knowing he and his wife Barbara would finally have time to spend together, they began searching for a common hobby. In 1991, after learning that antiques were a good, lucrative investment, they bought a box of reasonably priced Depression glassware at an auction, and that's where their collection began. One month later, while discussing their collection over a meal at a restaurant in downtown Albany, they were approached by another patron asking them if they had any Albany glass. "What's Albany glass?" asked Ron. The rest is history.

Learning that Albany glass had been made in his own hometown from 1893-1902, and knowing that it was an elusive collectible, Ron accepted the search as his personal challenge. Occasionally, he would stumble upon a piece of Albany, and once the doors were opened, he began to find clues everywhere. In 1992, he teamed up with Mike Mavis and began researching the company's history with the long-term goal of writing this book.