Birmingham Age Herald, Fenton
This piece was evidently given to subscribers by newspaper boys as a token of thanks from the Birmingham, Alabama newspaper. The phrase at the bottom reads, "Carriers Greetings." Ruffled bowls like that on the left are more scarce than the plates. This ruffled example sold for $1,050 at the 2012 Heart of American Carnival Glass auction.

Hartung Book Four: Birmingham Age Herald

More about the Birmingham Age Herald pieces


Bowls, 8-9 inches

Amethyst/purple, 575 (2020), 375, 850, 900, 1,700 (all 2021), 500. 650, 800 (all 2022)

Plates

Amethyst/purple, 1,450 (2020), 1,800, 2,100 (2021), 1,200, 1,500, 2,150 (all 2022)

Plates, handgrip, one known

Amethyst, 1,000 (2009), 7,250 (2018)


From The Encyclopedia of Carnival Glass Lettered Pieces,
by John Resnik, 1989.

"The Birmingham Age-Herald was founded in 1874, and was a morning newspaper through various ownerships until its demise on May 13, 1950. The buiding depicted on the bowl and plate was built in 1910, and still stands at 2109 Fifth Avenue North; in Birmingham, Alabama.

The Birmingham News, the newpaper which absorbed the Age-Herald in 1950, ran an article on March 15, 1974 about the Age-Herald Bowl. Among other things, the article quoted an unnamed expert who reported there were only 5 bowls left, and that they were worth $3,000 each! There also was mention of an ad, which had appeared some years before, offering purchase any Age-Herald piece for $300. This, at long last, gives some credence to one of the old Carnival Glass legends.

I found a Google photo of the front of the building taken in April 2017. How do I know it's the actual building? On close examination, the lettering on the window over the door reads "Age-Herald Building." The building now houses a company called Red Mountain Entertainment. --Dave Doty

Last updated 11/17/2022